When determining TD for a worker who is out of season, which earnings data should be used?

When determining TD for a worker who is out of season, which earnings data should be used?

• A. Only the earnings during the season
• B. Only the out-of-season earnings
• C. Average earnings from all employment across the year
• D. Ignore external earnings

Answer: (C)

Temporary disability benefits are based on the worker’s average earnings from all employment in the base period. For someone who is out of season, that means calculating the average weekly wage using earnings from every job earned over the year, not just the work done during the active season. This approach captures the worker’s true earning level and avoids underestimating or overestimating benefits due to seasonal gaps. Taking only the season’s earnings would misstate their usual income, while focusing only on out-of-season earnings would misrepresent their typical earnings, and ignoring external earnings would ignore part of the worker’s actual income. Therefore, use average earnings from all employment across the year.

Temporary disability benefits are based on the worker’s average earnings from all employment in the base period. For someone who is out of season, that means calculating the average weekly wage using earnings from every job earned over the year, not just the work done during the active season. This approach captures the worker’s true earning level and avoids underestimating or overestimating benefits due to seasonal gaps. Taking only the season’s earnings would misstate their usual income, while focusing only on out-of-season earnings would misrepresent their typical earnings, and ignoring external earnings would ignore part of the worker’s actual income. Therefore, use average earnings from all employment across the year.