Disability & Workers Compensation Assistance

Workers' Compensation Info

If you are injured:

  • while working
  • in the course of doing your work
  • as a result of your employment

It is important that you report that injury or disability to your employer and your union as soon as possible, as you may be entitled to benefits including:

  • Medical care
  • Wage replacement
  • Vocational rehabilitation
  • Death benefits

For rules and benefits by state, please visit the Department of Labor website.

Steps for the injured employee:

  1. Seek medical attention as necessary.
  2. Report the injury/disability to the employer as soon as possible. For record keeping purposed, it may be a good idea to put report of accident in writing.
  3. File a claim with the Workers’ Compensation Commission in the state you were working in when injured.
  4. The employer/carrier may choose the doctor you see or provide a panel of doctors from which you may select the doctor of your choosing. Do not change doctors without employer/carrier permission.
  5. Seek and accept employment if released to light duty, and cooperate with “rehabilitation counselors.” 

Note: Fill out all forms in a timely manner and keep copies of all documentation for your records.

Local 600 Disability Credits

Local 600 offers dues credits to Active and Suspended members who are temporarily disabled and under a doctor’s care. For more information about Local 600 disability credits, please contact our National Office. 
 

MPI Disability Extensions

If you are at risk of losing your health plan eligibility due to reduced work hours attributable to an injury or illness, your disability may be counted as work time. To review disability requirements, please read "Eligibility Extensions" on p. 9 of the MPI Health Plan Summary.

State Disability Insurance

Five U.S. states and one commonwealth offer state disability insurance programs designed to provide partial wage replacement to employees who are unable to work as the result of an off-the-job injury or disability.

Social Security Administration

  • Social Security pays disability benefits to you and certain members of your family, if you have worked long enough and have a medical condition that has prevented you from working or is expected to prevent you from working for at least 12 months or end in death. Read more.
  • The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. Read more. 

Vocational Rehabilitation

  • The U.S. Department of Education provides grants to states to support a wide range of services designed to help individuals with disabilities prepare and engage in gainful employment. Vocational rehabilitation agencies provide counseling, evaluation, and job placement services for people with disabilities. To find a vocational rehabilitation agency in your state, please visit the website. 

Medicaid for Individuals with Disabilities

  • Medicaid provides health coverage to non-elderly individuals with disabilities, including those who are working or who want to work. Read more. 

Social Services Organizations

Different Social Services organizations provide supportive services to Entertainment industry professionals who are dealing with short- and long-term injuries and disabilities. These organizations employ licensed social workers who help develop personalized plans that involve providing you with information, advocacy, and support as you work towards getting back to work.