Cost of Living Increase
A person receiving temporary total, permanent total or death benefits is entitled to cost of living increases. Cost of living increases must be specifically requested by the employee. Typically you would consider this part of your lost wage benefits. But, it can really add up so it is very important.
Recently two IWLF clients got a COLA,(Cost of Living Allowance) increase for $20,000 and $13,000 plus a significant increase in their weekly check! You can go back to day one and get COLA. It is relatively simple.
Generally you can’t get COLA from Workers Compensation if you are receiving Social Security which gives COLA (Unless your social security check is low). You get the COLA form (just call our office and we can email it to you), take it to your local social security office and have them fill out the form for each year you are requesting an increase that you didn’t receive any social security for that year. Then, mail it to the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission and they will order the insurance company to pay you. You may need to pester some people but you will eventually get the money. If you are hurt before July 1st of the year, you get a COLA increase Oct 1st of that year.
