Virginia bill would add cost-of-living supplements for comp claimants

A bill was proposed in the Virginia Senate that would provide cost-of-living supplements to claimants who are receiving disability benefits under the Virginia Workers Compensation Act but are not receiving federal disability benefits.

S.B. 677 would provide that claimants or their dependents excluded from the federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program be entitled to the maximum combined disability benefit entitlement of 80% of the average monthly earnings prior to injury or death.

The partisan bill was introduced on Jan. 20 and referred to the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee on Jan. 31, where it is pending.