Workers’ compensation benefits to increase by 4.9 percent
TUMWATER — Effective July 1, 2026, many injured workers collecting benefits under Washington’s workers’ compensation system will see an increase of 4.9 percent in their time-loss and pension payments from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).
The increase applies to all workers injured before July 1, 2025.
The payments are increasing because the state’s average wage, as calculated by the Washington State Employment Security Department this June, increased by 4.9 percent. L&I recalculates benefits each year to reflect the annual changes in the state's average annual wage.
The increase also applies to survivor benefits paid to family members of those who died because of a work-related incident or disease.
Workers injured between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026 will see their first adjustment on July 1, 2027.
For claim benefit questions: Claims Communication & Outreach Liaison at 360-902-4738.
Herbert Atienza, Public Affairs, 360-280-8674
Communication Services | www.Lni.wa.gov/news-events
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