Workers' comp waiting periods and benefits by state
How long you wait before workers' comp wage checks start, when the waiting days are paid back, which agency runs the system, and the maximum weekly check where we confirmed it.
General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Rules have exceptions; open your state for details and the law it comes from.
| State | Waiting period | Waiting days paid back | Max weekly benefit (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama From a statute-cited table | 3 days | After 21 days | – |
| Alaska From a statute-cited table | 3 days | After more than 28 days | – |
| Arizona From a statute-cited table | 7 days | If disability continues 1 week past the waiting period | – |
| Arkansas From a statute-cited table | 7 days | After 2 weeks | – |
| California From a statute-cited table | 3 days | After more than 14 days (or if you are hospitalized) | – |
| Colorado From a statute-cited table | 3 days | After more than 2 weeks | – |
| Connecticut From a statute-cited table | 3 days | After 7 days | $1,776 (Oct 1, 2026 - Sept 30, 2027) |
| Delaware From a statute-cited table | 3 days | After 7 days | – |
| District of Columbia From a statute-cited table | 3 days | After more than 14 days | – |
| Florida From a statute-cited table | 7 days | After more than 21 days | – |
| Georgia From a statute-cited table | 7 days | After 21 days | – |
| Hawaii From a statute-cited table | 3 days | No retroactive rule stated | $1,240 (2026) |
| Idaho From a statute-cited table | 5 days | After more than 2 weeks | – |
| Illinois From a statute-cited table | 3 days | After 14 days | – |
| Indiana From a statute-cited table | 7 days | After more than 21 days | – |
| Iowa From a statute-cited table | 3 days | After 14 days | – |
| Kansas From a statute-cited table | 7 days | After 3 weeks | $905 (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027) |
| Kentucky From a statute-cited table | 7 days | After more than 2 weeks | $1,277.99 (2026, total disability) |
| Louisiana From a statute-cited table | 7 days | After 2 weeks | – |
| Maine From a statute-cited table | 7 days | After more than 14 days | – |
| Maryland From a statute-cited table | 3 days | After more than 14 days | $1,537 (2026) |
| Massachusetts From a statute-cited table | 5 days | After 21 days | – |
| Michigan From a statute-cited table | 7 days | After 2 weeks | – |
| Minnesota From a statute-cited table | 3 days | After 10 days | – |
| Mississippi From a statute-cited table | 5 days | After 14 days | – |
| Missouri From a statute-cited table | 3 days | After more than 14 days | $1,294.71 (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027) |
| Montana From a statute-cited table | 32 hours or 4 days, whichever is less | After 21 days | – |
| Nebraska From a statute-cited table | 7 days | After 6 weeks | $1,166 (2026 injuries) |
| Nevada From a statute-cited table | 5 days within a 20-day period | Paid once the waiting period is met | – |
| New Hampshire From a statute-cited table | 3 days | After 14 days | – |
| New Jersey From a statute-cited table | 7 days | After more than 7 days | – |
| New Mexico From a statute-cited table | 7 days | After more than 4 weeks | – |
| New York From a statute-cited table | 7 days | After more than 14 days | $1,281.50 (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027) |
| North Carolina From a statute-cited table | 7 days | After more than 21 days | $1,446 (2026 injuries) |
| North Dakota From a statute-cited table | 4 days | After 5 days | – |
| Ohio From a statute-cited table | 7 days | After 2 weeks | – |
| Oklahoma From a statute-cited table | 3 days | No retroactive rule stated | $1,128.66 (2026 injuries) |
| Oregon From a statute-cited table | 3 days | After 14 days | – |
| Pennsylvania From a statute-cited table | 7 days | After 14 days | $1,394 (2026) |
| Rhode Island From a statute-cited table | 3 days | No retroactive rule stated | – |
| South Carolina From a statute-cited table | 7 days | After more than 14 days | – |
| South Dakota From a statute-cited table | 7 days | Paid from the date of injury once the waiting period is met | – |
| Tennessee From a statute-cited table | 7 days | After 14 days | – |
| Texas From a statute-cited table | 7 days | After 2 weeks | – |
| Utah From a statute-cited table | 3 days | After more than 14 days | – |
| Vermont From a statute-cited table | 3 days | After 10 days in total | – |
| Virginia From a statute-cited table | 7 days | After more than 3 weeks | – |
| Washington From a statute-cited table | 3 days | After 14 days | – |
| West Virginia From a statute-cited table | 3 days | After more than 7 days | – |
| Wisconsin From a statute-cited table | 3 days | After 7 days | – |
| Wyoming From a statute-cited table | 3 days | After more than 8 days | – |
How we checked this
Waiting and retroactive periods come from a 50-state workers' compensation law survey and the U.S. Chamber's analysis notes. Maximum weekly benefits are shown only where we found the state agency's 2026 rate notice or a published rate card. Last checked: November 12, 2026. Laws change; confirm with the state agency or a licensed professional before acting.
Cross-checked sources agree Checked on official source confirmed on a government, court or legislature site From a statute-cited table one detailed source Under review sources disagree; read the note and the law.