What a WC-104 Means for Your Workers’ Comp Benefits

If you’re receiving workers’ compensation disability benefits and suddenly get a WC-104 form in the mail, it’s completely normal to feel confused or upset.

This post explains what the WC-104 is, why insurance companies file it, and what it actually means for your benefits — without the legal jargon.

First, a Quick Reminder About Disability Benefits

In Georgia workers’ compensation cases, there are two main types of weekly disability benefits:

Temporary Total Disability (TTD) – paid when you are completely unable to work
Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) – normally paid when you are working light duty for less pay

Many workers are doing fine on TTD benefits — until a WC-104 shows up.

Why Did I Receive a WC-104?

A WC-104 is filed by the insurance company within 60 days of your authorized treating doctor releasing you to light duty work.

Once this happens, the WC-104 allows the insurance company to:

Convert your benefits from TTD to TPD (often a lower amount)
Reduce the duration of your weekly check

That’s it. The form does not mean your case is over or that you need to do anything.

How Much Can My Weekly Benefits Drop?

At the time of this writing in Georgia:

TTD maximum: $800 per week
TPD maximum: $533 per week

If you were making a lot more money before your injury, this drop can feel sudden and stressful — especially when you rely on those checks to pay bills.

In some cases, workers panic even though they are already receiving $533 or less. When that happens, the WC-104 may not affect the weekly check at all.

What Most People Don’t Realize About WC-104s

A WC-104 also limits how long benefits can be paid:

Without a WC-104: TTD can go up to 400 weeks
After a WC-104 is filed: benefits become TPD, so only up to 350 weeks

That sounds scary — but here’s the key point:

For most injured workers, this limit won’t matter for years, if ever.

It’s not an immediate cutoff.

Why Insurance Companies Use WC-104s

Almost every WC-104 is filed in the same situation:

The doctor releases you to light duty
Your employer does not actually have light duty available

You’re still not working — but the insurance company can now reduce your benefits.

This is often a pressure tactic designed to:

Reduce costs
Increase financial stress
Push injured workers toward bad settlements

Should You Be Worried?

Short answer: No — but you should be informed.

A WC-104 usually does not affect your case right away. It’s simply a legal tool that limits the insurance company’s future liability.

If you receive one:

Read it
Don’t panic
Talk to your lawyer if you have questions

The Bottom Line

A WC-104:

Does not end your case
Does not mean you did something wrong or that you must return to work
Often does not reduce benefits immediately

It’s something to understand — not something to fear.

Knowing how the system works helps you stay in control.

What a WC-104 Means for Your Workers’ Comp Benefits