Bill would increase benefit duration to 520 weeks

Mississippi lawmakers will consider increasing the duration of disability benefits after a similar measure failed in 2021.

H.B. 349, introduced Tuesday, would increase the benefit duration cap by more than 15% to 520 weeks from 450 weeks.

Mississippi law caps compensation for an injury or death at 450 weeks multiplied by 66.67% of the state average weekly wage. The law similarly caps benefits for permanent total disability, permanent partial disability and temporary total disability at the equivalent of 450 weeks multiplied by 66.67% of the average weekly wage for the state.

Payments for all other classes of disability are also limited to 450 weeks. H.B. 349 would increase the cap to 520 weeks, effective July 1.

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