How to Track Your Workers Comp Check: A Quick Guide

For some people, getting injured at work can be financially crippling. When the bills are mounting, getting your workers’ comp check on time is essential. That’s why it can be annoying when your workers’ comp check is late.

Unfortunately, tracking your worker’s comp check may not be that easy.

While some states, like New York and California, have online facilities that let you track your workers’ compensation check, most countries don’t. In addition, workers’ compensation checks are typically mailed, so you can imagine how often they change hands before they reach your mailbox.

If you want to know where your money is, here’s a quick guide on tracking your workers’ compensation check.

WHEN SHOULD YOU RECEIVE YOUR WORKERS COMP CHECK?

According to the Florida Department of Financial Services, you should receive your first workers’ compensation check within 21 days of reporting your injury, provided your claim is approved immediately. If your insurance provider denies your claim, the appeals process can take months or even years.

However, if you’ve already received a benefit check before, you should get it once every two weeks. However, it may not always arrive on the same day.

For instance, if you received your check two weeks ago on a Wednesday, this week, it may arrive on a Monday or a Friday. Even if your insurance provider sends it on the same day every two weeks, the post office may not keep to the same schedule.

WHY WORKERS COMP CHECKS GET DELAYED

There are many reasons why your workers’ comp check gets delayed. The most common ones are:

1. CLERICAL ERROR

With so many claims to process daily, the insurance staff are bound to make clerical errors at some point. Fixing those mistakes can delay your benefit check.

2. YOUR WORKERS COMP ADJUSTER HAS CHANGED

Each claimant is assigned a specific workers’ compensation claims adjuster. But let’s not forget that claims adjusters are employees, too. If they resign or go on a long break, turning over the responsibilities can take time. This can also affect your payment schedule.

3. YOUR PERSONAL DETAILS HAVE CHANGED

Changes in personal details like your name or address can also delay your workers’ comp check. For one, the insurance company may have used your old name while printing the check. They may need to cancel it and issue another one. Your mailman will most likely have a hard time finding you, too. All of these will delay your check even further.

4. YOU MOVED    

If you moved and haven’t informed your insurance provider, your check is still addressed to your old home. As such, it’s most likely still sitting in your old mailbox.

5. THE MAIL IS DELAYED

It’s not exactly a secret that the post office is not the most reliable of services. Bad weather, federal holidays, and untoward incidents can all delay your workers’ comp check.

6. THE INSURANCE CARRIER STOPPED YOUR BENEFITS

In some cases, a delayed workers comp check isn’t just delayed. It’s not arriving anymore because your insurance carrier stopped your benefits.

There are several reasons why workers comp benefits can get stopped, including:

• the insurance carrier suspects you of fraud
• you have already reached maximum medical improvement (MMI)
• you’re already back at work

7. MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION REVIEW

Sometimes, delays can occur if there is a need for additional medical documentation or assessments to support your claim. Any discrepancies or missing information in your medical records can prolong the approval process.

8. Complex Cases

Certain workers’ comp cases may involve complicated injuries or circumstances that require further investigation or evaluation. These complexities can delay determining the extent of benefits owed to you.

HOW TO TRACK YOUR WORKERS COMP CHECK

Some states have an online tracking system for workers comp benefits. Here’s how to track your workers’ comp check if your state doesn’t have one:

1. TALK TO YOUR CLAIMS ADJUSTER

The first thing you need to do is talk to your claims adjuster. They process your claim and prepare your check, so if there’s anyone you should ask about your check, they should be high up on your list.

But when talking to your claims adjuster, remember they are still in charge of your money. They can make the process more difficult for you if they want. So make sure to keep your calm and avoid making any rude remarks.

Besides, claims adjusters are very busy people. Most of them handle hundreds of cases at any given time. So they probably won’t appreciate you calling them every hour or so.

2. CHECK WITH THE BANK OR POST OFFICE

If your claims adjuster confirmed that they’ve already mailed your check, the next stop for you is (obviously) the post office. Letters and packages routinely get lost in the mail, so if your check has already been sent but still hasn’t arrived, there’s a good chance the post office lost it.

However, as I mentioned, there are lots of factors that can delay mail. Maybe the vehicle carrying your check has broken down, or the roads have become unpassable because of the snow. Before you get all worked up, check with your post office first to see what happened.

If your insurance carrier allows direct deposits, you may need to check your bank. Maybe there was just an error that prevented them from crediting money to your account. Or perhaps you had an overdraft, and your account was closed. Either way, you need to ask them what happened to your money.

3. CHECK YOUR PREVIOUS HOME’S MAILBOX (IF YOU MOVED)

As mentioned, if you moved and didn’t inform your insurance carrier, your check will still be delivered to your old address. So, if you haven’t received it yet, check your old home’s mailbox or your former landlord. The check may just be there waiting for you.