Workers' comp · GA
Georgia workers' comp calculator
Georgia’s ceiling is written into the statute itself, so it moves only when the General Assembly amends the Code.
Rules read on official Georgia pages on · Checked by Radif Partners · How we calculate
- Benefit rate
- 66.67%
- Gross average weekly wage before taxes
- Weekly maximum
- $800
- from July 1, 2023
- Weekly minimum
- $50
- or the wage, if lower
- Waiting period
- 7 days
- paid back past 21 days
Georgia pays a worker who cannot work at all two thirds of the average weekly wage, but not more than $800 or less than $50 a week for an accident on or after July 1, 2023 (O.C.G.A. § 34-9-261). Unlike most states, Georgia does not index that maximum to a state wage each year: it is a dollar figure in the Code, and the State Board of Workers' Compensation still lists $800 in 2026. Income benefits start if you are unable to work for more than 7 days; the first week is paid only once you miss more than 21 consecutive days. For accidents since July 1, 1992, income benefits last at most 400 weeks unless the injury is catastrophic. A crane operator earning $1,700 a week is held to $800, which the ceiling reaches at about $1,200 of weekly pay. A worker paid less than $50 a week receives the full wage.
Weekly temporary total disability benefit in Georgia
$733
$3,178 a month · 66.67% of the wage, tax-free
| 66.67% of $1,100 | $733 |
| Weekly maximum / minimum | $800 / $50 |
| Days paid / unpaid waiting days | 30 / 0 |
| Total for the time off | $3,143 |
Estimate of wage-loss benefits for a total disability, from the State Board of Workers' Compensation (SBWC) rates. Medical care is paid separately; partial disability, permanent impairment ratings and settlements follow other rules. How this is calculated.
A ceiling the legislature sets by hand
Georgia's maximum does not float with wages. The General Assembly raises it by amending § 34-9-261, most recently to $800 for accidents from July 1, 2023, along with $533 for temporary partial benefits. Between amendments the figure stays put, which is why a 2026 injury is paid on the same ceiling as a 2023 one. Several law-firm websites announced an increase to $850 from July 1, 2026. We found no such amendment: the official summary of 2026 general statutes lists no change to § 34-9-261, and the State Board’s FAQ still gives $800. This page uses $800 until the Board publishes otherwise.
The fixed cap bites hard on skilled trades. A Savannah port crane operator averaging $1,700 a week computes to $1,133 but receives $800, about $12,000 over fifteen weeks.
Day eight and day twenty-two
Weekly benefits are owed when the worker is unable to work for more than 7 days, and the first check should be mailed within 21 days after the first missed day. The first week itself is paid only if the worker misses more than 21 consecutive days. A Dalton carpet-mill worker earning $720 who returns after 16 days receives $617; out 25 days, $1,714.
Four hundred weeks, then the end of the road
For accidents since July 1, 1992, income benefits stop after 400 weeks unless the injury is designated catastrophic, in which case they can be lifetime. The mill worker who never returns would be paid for 2800 days, $192,010 in all. For non-catastrophic injuries on or after July 1, 2013, medical treatment is limited to 400 weeks. Benefits may be reduced once the doctor releases the worker with restrictions, or suspended on a full release.
Picking from the posted panel
Employers must post a panel of at least six physicians (including one orthopedist and no more than two industrial clinics); the worker may choose any one and make one change within the panel without permission. Attorney fees above $100 must be approved by the Board and cannot exceed 25% of the worker's weekly benefits award or settlement. Permanent partial disability is paid according to the loss of use of the body part rated by the authorized treating physician, under the schedule in § 34-9-263.
The Georgia rules this calculator applies
| Rule | Georgia |
|---|---|
| Temporary total disability rate | 66.67% of gross average weekly wage before taxes |
| Weekly maximum | $800 |
| Weekly minimum | $50 |
| Applies to | accidents on or after July 1, 2023 (still in force in 2026: no change to § 34-9-261 in the 2025 or 2026 sessions) |
| Waiting period | 7 days, paid back when the disability lasts more than 21 days |
| Limit on temporary total benefits | 400 weeks |
The State Board of Workers' Compensation (SBWC) had not published a 2026 figure when we checked on October 8, 2026: the calculator uses the latest official maximum and minimum, effective July 1, 2023.
Rate. Two-thirds of the average weekly wage, but not more than $800.00 per week for an accident on or after July 1, 2023 (O.C.G.A. § 34-9-261). source
Waiting period. Weekly income benefits are due if the worker is unable to work for more than 7 days; the first check should be mailed within 21 days after the first day missed, and if more than 21 consecutive days are missed the first week is paid (O.C.G.A. § 34-9-220). source
Duration. For accidents on or after July 1, 1992, income benefits are payable for up to 400 weeks; catastrophic injuries may receive lifetime benefits (O.C.G.A. § 34-9-261). source
Permanent disability. Permanent partial disability benefits are based on the extent of loss of use of a body part as determined by the authorized treating physician, paid under the schedule of O.C.G.A. § 34-9-263. source
Worth knowing in Georgia
- Employers must post a panel of at least six physicians (including one orthopedist and no more than two industrial clinics); the worker may choose any one and make one change within the panel without permission. source
- Temporary partial disability (reduced-wage) benefits run for a maximum of 350 weeks from the date of injury and cannot exceed $533.00 per week for accidents on or after July 1, 2023 (O.C.G.A. § 34-9-262). source
- For non-catastrophic injuries on or after July 1, 2013, medical treatment is limited to 400 weeks. source
- Attorney fees above $100 must be approved by the Board and cannot exceed 25% of the worker's weekly benefits award or settlement. source
- A surviving spouse with no children is limited to a total of $320,000.00 in death benefits. source