If you’ve suffered a workplace injury and also have a preexisting medical condition, you may qualify for additional benefits under California’s Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF). This program, also called the Subsequent Injuries Fund (SIF), is administered by the State of California and provides financial relief to workers who meet very specific disability thresholds.

Because the SIBTF process is highly complex, very few attorneys even take on these cases — and even fewer know how to successfully prove one. At Jackson & Jackson, our certified workers’ compensation attorneys in Los Angeles have the experience to handle SIBTF cases and maximize the benefits you deserve.

What Is the SIBTF?

The Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund exists to protect employees who suffer a work-related injury on top of a preexisting disability. The idea is that when both conditions combine to create a greater overall disability, the worker should receive compensation that reflects that total impairment.

Importantly, SIBTF benefits are not paid with taxpayer dollars. Instead, the fund is supported by insurance premiums that employers pay into the state system.

First Threshold: Work Injury Disability

To qualify for SIBTF, you must meet one of two initial requirements:

1. 25% or More Disability (Whole Person Impairment)

• If your work injury results in a disability rating of at least 25% WPI, which converts to 35% after California’s 1.4 multiplier, you meet the first threshold.

1. 5% Disability to an Eye, Arm, Hand, Leg, or Foot

• If your work injury affects one of these extremities or an eye and results in at least 4% WPI (which multiplies to 5.6%), you also qualify.
• In this case, you must also show a preexisting disability in the opposite or corresponding extremity or eye.

Second Threshold: Combined Disability

The second requirement is that your combined disability (work injury + preexisting condition) must total 70% or more. This calculation is made using the same AMA Guides that apply in workers’ comp cases.

If both thresholds are satisfied, you may be eligible for ongoing SIBTF benefits.

How to File for SIBTF Benefits

Your SIBTF claim is filed with the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB), the same court that oversees your workers’ comp case. The process requires:

• Filing an official SIBTF application.
• Submitting detailed medical reporting (you do not have to rely on your workers’ comp doctors).
• Attending hearings where a judge will review whether you meet the thresholds.

The good news is that SIBTF will often pay for the cost of new medical evaluations to support your case.

How Much Are SIBTF Benefits Worth?

The amount you may receive depends on your level of disability:

• At 100% disability, you may receive two-thirds of your average weekly wages (the same as temporary disability rates).
• At 70–99% disability, benefits are paid on a sliding scale that increases with your level of impairment.

Because every case is unique, the exact value must be calculated individually by an experienced attorney.

Why You Need a Skilled SIBTF Attorney

Even among workers’ compensation lawyers, few understand how to properly build an SIBTF case. Without the right representation, many injured workers miss out on significant benefits they deserve.

At Jackson & Jackson, we:

• Review your medical and work history to determine eligibility.
• Obtain independent medical evaluations to support your claim.
• File and manage your application with the WCAB.
• Represent you at hearings, trials, and appeals if necessary.

Get Help With Your SIBTF Claim in Los Angeles

If you believe your workplace injury combined with a preexisting disability may qualify for SIBTF benefits, don’t wait. These cases are highly complex, and the sooner you begin, the stronger your claim will be.

📞 Call 714-942-4655 today or visit Jackson & Jackson Law Office to schedule a free consultation.