If you receive an Employer's First Report of Injury (5020) but accurate weekly wages cannot be determined, how should TD be determined?

• A. Pay Minimum TD
• B. Pay Maximum TD
• C. Delay Payment and Request Wage Statement
• D. Average Actual Weekly Earnings and Pay TD Accordingly

Answer: (A)

Temporary disability benefits in California are calculated as two‑thirds of the worker’s average weekly wage, but there’s a monetary floor and ceiling set by statute. When you receive the Employer’s First Report of injury but you can’t determine the accurate weekly wages yet, you start by paying the minimum TD amount. This ensures the worker begins to receive benefits promptly rather than waiting for wage data that may take time to obtain. Once the wage statement or other earnings information becomes available, you recalculate to two‑thirds of the actual average weekly wage and adjust the TD payments accordingly (keeping within the statutory min and max). Delaying payments or assuming the maximum rate would either stall benefits or overpay without data, respectively, so starting at the minimum TD rate is the correct approach.