Lifetime income benefits (LIBs)

HB 2468 effective September 1, 2023, made changes to LIBs eligibility requirements for all injured employees and additional changes specific to first responders. You could get benefits for the rest of your life if you have:

• total and permanent loss of sight in both eyes;
• loss of both feet at or above the ankle;
• loss of both hands at or above the wrist;
• loss of one foot at or above the ankle, and loss of one hand, at or above the wrist;
• an injury to the spine that causes permanent and complete paralysis of both arms, both legs, or one arm and one leg;
• a physically traumatic injury to the brain resulting in a major permanent neurocognitive disorder that requires supervision in activities of routine self-care, and causes the person to be permanently unemployable;
• third degree burns that cover at least 40 percent of the body and require grafting; or
• third degree burns covering the majority of both hands, one hand and one foot; or one hand, one foot and the face.
• a serious bodily injury and you are a first responder. View our first responder resources for more information.

What you could get:

LIBs are 75% of your average weekly wage (AWW), with a 3% increase each year.

There is a maximum amount for the first year LIBs are paid, but the maximum does not apply to the 3% yearly increase.

To find out how much you could get, call 800-252-7031, option 1.

When LIBs start:

Send a request for LIBs in writing to your insurance carrier if you think you should be able to get these benefits. The insurance carrier has 60 days to reply to your request.

You should get your first LIBs payment no more than 15 days after your insurance carrier approves your benefits. If your insurance carrier says you are not able to get LIBs, they must send you a letter explaining why. If you don't agree, you may request a Benefit Review Conference, which is a meeting to talk about decision.