The employee is receiving salary continuation from the employer in lieu of TD. Is DWC notice required?

• A. No, a separate notice is not required.
• B. Yes, a regular DWC notice.
• C. Yes, a DWC notice with an explanation of the salary continuation plan with the initial notice.
• D. No, but an explanation of the salary continuation plan is required.

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is that California workers’ compensation requires clear notification when an employer pays salary continuation in lieu of temporary disability. If the employee is receiving ongoing wages from the employer instead of TD benefits, the initial notice must go out with an explanation of how that salary continuation plan works. This ensures the employee understands who is paying, how much, and how it affects any TD or other benefits, and it keeps the claim records accurate for the Division of Workers’ Compensation.

That’s why the best choice is to provide a DWC notice that includes the explanation of the salary continuation plan with the initial notice. The other options miss part of the requirement: simply a regular DWC notice doesn’t include the necessary explanation of the wage-continuation arrangement, and saying no notice is needed ignores the need to inform the employee about how benefits are being provided and offset.