How much does workers' comp pay in Arkansas?
- Arkansas temporary total pays 66⅔% of average weekly wage, rounded to the nearest dollar, up to $953 a week for 2026 injuries ($903 for 2025), with a $20 minimum.
- At $1,200 AWW the rate is $800.
- The first seven days are unpaid unless disability lasts 14 days.
Official-source review: . General guidance, not legal advice.
Calculate Arkansas ordinary total-disability pay
Estimated weekly TTD
$800.00
Assumes full temporary disability and a correct AWW. Does not establish eligibility, apply waiting periods or offsets, or model partial disability.
Arkansas permanent-award rules: what actually drives the payout
- Arkansas pays ordinary permanent partial disability at 75% of your TTD rate, rounded, up to $715 a week for 2026 injuries ($677 for 2025), with a $20 minimum.
- At $1,200 AWW, TTD is $800 and the PPD rate is $600.
- If TTD is below $205.35, PPD is 66⅔% of AWW up to $154.
- Amputation or total loss of use of a member is paid at the full TTD rate.
- The rating is applied to statutory scheduled weeks or a whole-body basis; those week counts were not verified in this review, so the page shows the weekly rate rather than a total.
Medical impairment, legal disability and loss of earning capacity are different measurements. Use the established award category and applicable rate before doing dollar arithmetic. Do not borrow a rating from Social Security, the VA or another state.
How to evaluate an Arkansas settlement
- A final Arkansas settlement requires a joint petition approved by the Workers' Compensation Commission after a hearing where the worker ordinarily testifies.
- A full joint-petition settlement closes future medical for that injury.
- For a Medicare-eligible claimant, a partial settlement can leave future medical open.
- Check the wage worksheet, award classification, rating evidence and unpaid benefits.
- Identify exactly which medical conditions, future treatment and wage-loss rights are released.
- Separate gross value from prior payments, approved fees, liens and other adjustments.
- Review Medicare and Social Security coordination when relevant; a medical allocation is not an automatic settlement multiplier.
Arkansas workers' compensation rates by injury date
Dated rate history from official Arkansas sources, reviewed . Looking for employer premiums? See workers' comp insurance cost by state.
| Injury period | Weekly maximum | Minimum basis |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 – December 31, 2026 | $953.00 | $20.00; no more than actual wages |
| January 1 – December 31, 2025 | $903.00 | $20.00; no more than actual wages |
Arkansas ordinary PPD maximums are $715 (2026) and $677 (2025), 75% of the TTD rate; amputation and total loss of use use the TTD rate.
Reporting, filing and official sources
- Report the injury to your employer immediately on Form AR-N; benefits before notice are generally not owed, subject to exceptions.
- File a claim (Form AR-C) within two years of the injury.
- For additional benefits after compensation was paid, the deadline is one year from the last payment or two years from injury, whichever is greater.
Arkansas benefit questions
How much does workers' comp pay in Arkansas?+
Arkansas temporary total pays 66⅔% of average weekly wage, rounded to the nearest dollar, up to $953 a week for 2026 injuries ($903 for 2025), with a $20 minimum. At $1,200 AWW the rate is $800. The first seven days are unpaid unless disability lasts 14 days.
How do permanent disability benefits work in Arkansas?+
Arkansas pays ordinary permanent partial disability at 75% of your TTD rate, rounded, up to $715 a week for 2026 injuries ($677 for 2025), with a $20 minimum. At $1,200 AWW, TTD is $800 and the PPD rate is $600. If TTD is below $205.35, PPD is 66⅔% of AWW up to $154. Amputation or total loss of use of a member is paid at the full TTD rate. The rating is applied to statutory scheduled weeks or a whole-body basis; those week counts were not verified in this review, so the page shows the weekly rate rather than a total.
Can an Arkansas settlement close future medical care?+
A final Arkansas settlement requires a joint petition approved by the Workers' Compensation Commission after a hearing where the worker ordinarily testifies. A full joint-petition settlement closes future medical for that injury. For a Medicare-eligible claimant, a partial settlement can leave future medical open.
What are the reporting and filing deadlines in Arkansas?+
Report the injury to your employer immediately on Form AR-N; benefits before notice are generally not owed, subject to exceptions. File a claim (Form AR-C) within two years of the injury. For additional benefits after compensation was paid, the deadline is one year from the last payment or two years from injury, whichever is greater.
Why is my Arkansas PPD rate lower than my TTD rate?+
Ordinary Arkansas PPD is 75% of the TTD rate, capped at $715 a week for 2026 injuries. At $1,200 AWW that is $600 versus $800 TTD.
Does an Arkansas amputation pay the PPD rate?+
No. Amputation or permanent total loss of use of a member is paid at the full TTD rate rather than the reduced 75% PPD rate.
Is there a waiting period for Arkansas workers' comp?+
Yes. The first seven days are unpaid unless disability lasts 14 calendar days; then benefits are paid from the day after the injury.
Does a joint petition end my Arkansas medical care?+
Yes. A full joint-petition settlement ends Commission jurisdiction over that injury, including future medical. Medicare-eligible workers may use a partial settlement that leaves medical open.
Does surgery guarantee a larger Arkansas settlement?+
No. Surgery can change treatment costs, restrictions and medical evidence, but there is no automatic surgery multiplier. Permanent disability must be established under the applicable rules. Compare the benefits released and future care needs, not just the procedure name.
Are Arkansas workers' comp benefits taxable?+
Benefits paid under a workers' compensation law for an occupational injury or illness are generally excluded from federal income tax. Returned-to-work wages, retirement payments and Social Security offsets can have different tax treatment. Review IRS Publication 525 and seek tax advice for the agreement's allocations.
Can I receive pain and suffering through Arkansas workers' comp?+
Workers' compensation generally does not award pain and suffering. A separate claim against a responsible third party may allow different damages, but employer immunity and reimbursement rights need separate legal review.
When should I compare an Arkansas settlement offer?+
Compare an offer after understanding the wage calculation, medical condition, permanent-award category, unpaid benefits and rights released. There is no guaranteed settlement timeline. A bigger lump sum may be worse if it transfers expensive future treatment to you.
Where can I verify my Arkansas benefit rate?+
Use the official agency resources linked on this page and the written rate calculation in your claim. Injury date, benefit category, wage records and applicable limits matter. An entered rate is not independently verified by this calculator.
These calculations are estimates based on your inputs and general workers' compensation formulas. Actual benefits depend on state law, your specific injury, employer insurance carrier, and other factors. This is not legal advice. Consult a licensed workers' compensation attorney for guidance specific to your claim.