How to use the temporary partial disability calculator
Temporary partial disability, or TPD, covers part of the wage loss when an injured worker returns on light duty or reduced hours and earns less than before. Enter the pre-injury average weekly wage, the current weekly earnings and the number of weeks to estimate the payment.
Legal basis - TPD is created by each state workers' compensation act, and the common formula is two thirds of the difference between the pre-injury average weekly wage and current earnings, subject to the state weekly maximum. The federal equivalents are FECA loss of wage earning capacity under 5 U.S.C. §8106 and the Longshore Act partial disability provision at 33 U.S.C. §908(e). Figures are current as of September 2026, and your state may differ, so check your state statute and edit the rate and maximum above.
Korea pays 90 percent of the same wage gap rather than two thirds, so a direct comparison between the two systems overstates the US benefit. This calculator is for reference only and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney or your state workers' compensation board about your specific situation.
Frequently asked questions
TPD is normally recalculated for each pay period, so a week with higher earnings produces a smaller benefit. Run the calculator separately for each earnings level rather than using an average if your schedule swings a lot.
Most states cap temporary benefits by a total number of weeks, often somewhere between 104 and 500, and payments also stop when you reach maximum medical improvement. Check the week limit written into your state statute.