What the WC-25 Form Does in Missouri
The WC-25 is Missouri's official notice of supplemental wages and benefit adjustment. When an injured worker returns to light duty or modified work and earns less than their pre-injury wage, the employer or insurer files this form to report the earnings and recalculate the weekly benefit rate. It is the mechanism that keeps partial disability payments aligned with what the worker is actually taking home.
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Who Files the WC-25 and When
Employers and their carriers file the WC-25 with the Missouri Division of Workers Compensation. The form is required whenever supplemental wages are paid during a period of partial disability, including when the employee is on light duty, working fewer hours, or earning below the rate they would have received without the injury. Filing typically begins when the worker resumes some form of employment after the injury.
Key Fields and What They Mean
The WC-25 asks for the employee's name, claim number, dates of supplemental employment, gross wages earned, and the employer making the payment. The form also captures the calculated difference between the pre-injury average weekly wage and the current supplemental earnings. That difference drives the partial disability payment the worker receives for the week reported.
Common Sections on the Form
- Employee and employer identification
- Dates of light duty or modified work
- Gross wages and deductions reported
- Calculation of the difference from pre-injury wages
- Adjusted weekly benefit rate
How the WC-25 Affects Your Weekly Benefit Rate
Missouri law ties partial disability benefits to the gap between what an injured worker could earn before the injury and what they are actually earning after the injury. When the WC-25 is filed, the division uses the reported figures to adjust the weekly benefit rate. Errors on the form, such as underreported wages or incorrect dates, can lead to underpayment or overpayment, both of which can trigger disputes or offset adjustments later.
What to Do If the WC-25 Is Incorrect
Workers who receive a WC-25 should review it carefully. If the wages listed do not match pay stubs or the dates are wrong, the claimant should notify the employer or insurer promptly. Missouri allows objections to be raised through the division's dispute process. Keeping copies of every pay stub, light-duty schedule, and correspondence strengthens a worker's position if the adjustment is challenged.
Timeline and Filing Deadlines
Employers should file the WC-25 as soon as supplemental wages are paid. Delays in reporting can postpone benefit adjustments and create gaps in payment. For claimants, the form's impact is immediate: the adjusted rate usually takes effect from the date reported on the WC-25, so accuracy from the start matters.
How This Differs in Missouri Specifically
Missouri uses the WC-25 as its primary form for reporting supplemental earnings in partial disability cases. Other states may use different forms or handle the reporting through separate earnings statements. In Missouri, the WC-25 is tied directly to the weekly benefit rate calculation, making it a pivotal document in any ongoing workers compensation claim involving light duty or reduced earnings.
When to Get Legal Help
If the WC-25 shows a benefit rate that seems too low, if the employer stops filing the form after a worker returns to light duty, or if the offset creates a payment gap, consulting a Missouri workers compensation attorney can clarify rights. An attorney can file the necessary objection, ensure the wage data is correct, and help the worker recover any missed benefits.