The amount and duration of benefits to be paid by the Subsequent Injury Fund (SIF) is delineated in the Award of Compensation which is a determination by a commissioner from the Workers' Compensation Commission, and is based upon all the facts presented by all parties in a claim.  Generally, benefits are either permanent partial (limited to a certain number of weeks) or permanent total (payments usually for life).  A third kind of benefit results from a settlement agreement which can have several outcomes for payment.  Note that medical benefits remain the responsibility of the employer's insurance company. The SIF is not responsible for medical payments.

Benefit payments from the SIF normally begin upon the completion of the benefit payments paid by the employer/insurer. The  SIF only knows the approximate date of the completion of the insurer's payment, and we will make inquiry to the employer/insurer some time before that date.  Following notification of the last day covered by the insurer's payments, the SIF will begin disbursing its payments.  The claimant receives a letter informing him of this fact.  Typically the first check will be for an odd amount to catch up any lapse in payments between the employer/insurer and the SIF or simply to pay to a date that puts the balance of the payments into the normal pay cycle.

Once a claimant's benefits have been established and are in the normal pay cycle, he will receive payment every two weeks for twice the weekly rate as stated in the Award of Compensation.  [Note that some permanent total claims receive an annual cost of living increase, but it is integrated with Social Security benefits.]  The biweekly payment process is timed ideally to have the checks delivered by the first day of the two week period being paid which is every other Saturday.  Out of state claimants should add a few days to allow for postal handling.  The SIF Accounting Office does not personally mail the checks - they are prepared and mailed from the Comptroller's Office in Annapolis.

The SIF makes every possible effort to regulate the process to maintain the schedule as described above; however, minor deviations often occur which are beyond our capability to control.  With this in mind, a check should not be considered late until the 4th business day following the beginning of the pay period.  Thus, a check expected on Saturday is late if not received by the following Thursday.  Again, an adjustment must be made for out of state recipients.  It is requested that telephone inquiries about non receipt of payment be deferred until we would consider it late as there is nothing we can do until then.  Anyone whose payments have been completed is notified by letter prior to the last payment.

It is highly recommended to all claimants that the receipt which is attached to the check be saved.  This greatly improves our ability to resolve any payment problems.  It is vitally important that the SIF has the correct mailing address for each recipient.  Any changes or corrections should be communicated to the SIF as soon as possible.  While a telephone call will alert us to a change, we must have any address changes in writing, signed by the claimant or legal guardian. All correspondence regarding payments should include the claim number.  In the event of death of the claimant, it is requested that the SIF be promptly notified.  Benefits almost always cease upon the death of the claimant, so any payments received after his death must be returned.

Electronic funds transfer is now available. An application form to establish the direct deposit of your bi-weekly payment into your bank account will be sent to you upon your request.