Sibtf Calculator

SIBTF Combined Disability Calculator

The Permanent Disability rating from your most recent workplace injury.

The rating of your previous disability (even if non-industrial).

Combined Disability Rating: 0%

function calculateSIBTF() { var primary = parseFloat(document.getElementById('primaryInjury').value); var preExisting = parseFloat(document.getElementById('preExistingInjury').value); var resultDiv = document.getElementById('sibtf-result'); var statusH3 = document.getElementById('eligibility-status'); var ratingSpan = document.getElementById('combined-rating-val'); var detailsDiv = document.getElementById('eligibility-details'); if (isNaN(primary) || isNaN(preExisting) || primary < 0 || preExisting = 70) { if (primary >= 35) { isEligible = true; reason = "Your combined rating is at least 70% and your new industrial injury rating is 35% or greater."; } else if (primary >= 5) { isEligible = true; reason = "Your combined rating is at least 70%. If your injury involves a 'major member' (like a hand or foot) and the pre-existing condition involves the opposite member, you may qualify even though your new rating is under 35%."; } else { reason = "Your combined rating is high, but the new industrial injury must generally be at least 35% (or 5% in specific 'opposite member' cases) to qualify."; } } else { reason = "To qualify for SIBTF, your combined disability rating must be at least 70%."; } if (isEligible) { resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = "#e7f4e4"; statusH3.innerHTML = "Potential Eligibility Detected"; statusH3.style.color = "#2e7d32"; detailsDiv.innerHTML = "Result: " + reason + "Note: This is an estimate based on the Combined Value Chart. Official SIBTF claims require legal and medical verification."; } else { resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = "#fff4f4"; statusH3.innerHTML = "Unlikely to Qualify"; statusH3.style.color = "#c62828"; detailsDiv.innerHTML = "Result: " + reason; } }

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Understanding the SIBTF Calculator and Benefits

The Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF) is a specialized source of workers' compensation benefits in California. It is designed to provide additional compensation to employees who have a pre-existing permanent disability and then suffer a subsequent work-related injury.

How the SIBTF Calculation Works

Calculating SIBTF benefits is not a simple addition of two percentages. California uses the Combined Value Chart (CVC) formula to ensure that a person's total disability never mathematically exceeds 100%. The formula is:

A + B(1 – A/100) = Combined Rating

In this equation, "A" represents the higher disability rating and "B" represents the lower rating. This calculator automates this math for you.

Eligibility Thresholds

To receive payments from the SIBTF, you must meet strict legal criteria under California Labor Code Section 4751:

• The 70% Rule: The combined total of your pre-existing disability and your new industrial injury must equal 70% or more.
• The 35% Threshold: The new (industrial) injury itself must be rated at 35% or higher (without adjustments).
• The Major Member Exception: If the 35% threshold isn't met, you may still qualify if the new injury is at least 5% and affects a "major member" (like a hand, arm, foot, or leg) and the pre-existing disability affects the opposite corresponding member.

Practical Example

Suppose a worker has a pre-existing back condition rated at 40%. They then suffer a workplace shoulder injury rated at 35%.

1. Identify A and B: A = 40 (Back), B = 35 (Shoulder).
2. Apply CVC: 40 + 35(1 – 0.40) = 40 + 35(0.60) = 40 + 21 = 61%.
3. Check Eligibility: Since 61% is less than 70%, the worker would not qualify for SIBTF benefits in this specific scenario, even though the simple sum (75%) suggests they might.

Why File an SIBTF Claim?

SIBTF benefits are paid for the remainder of the injured worker's life once their standard permanent disability payments from the employer have ended. Because these benefits can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars over a lifetime, using an SIBTF calculator to check your potential eligibility is a critical step for any California worker with multiple injuries.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational purposes only. Workers' Compensation ratings involve complex legal adjustments (age, occupation, etc.). Consult with a qualified attorney to file an official SIBTF application.