Table of Contents

Purpose
Payment calculations and procedures
Audits and affidavits
Termination of benefits
Contact information

Purpose

The Rate Adjustment Fund was created in 1975 to pay cost-of-living increases to individuals who are either permanently and totally disabled (PTD) or the survivors of fatally-injured workers.

Source:   Illinois Compiled Statutes, Chapter 820, Paragraph 305, Sections 7(f), 8(e)19 - 8(g)

Payment calculations and procedures

Benefits are paid each month, beginning on the second July 15th after the Commission enters the final decision. A decision is final when there is no further appeal pending. 

Recipients are given an amount equal to the percentage increase in the statewide average weekly wage, as calculated by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Payments can be calculated using the RAF calculation table.

RAF benefit checks should be received between the 15th - 31st of each month. The IWCC processes payment vouchers on the 11th of every month. The process takes 3-4 business days and another 3-5 days to receive payment through the mail.

Direct deposit arrangements will reduce that time. If you would like to set up direct deposit, call the Comptroller’s Office at 217/557-0930. The Comptroller will send a form to be completed and returned; that form will then go through bank verification. The entire process takes two weeks.

You can check on the Comptroller's website to see if RAF benefit payments have been issued. (Enter your Social Security Number.)

Audits and affidavits

Each year, we conduct audits to make sure beneficiaries remain eligible for RAF benefits.  Before July 15th, we send out affidavits to all beneficiaries. Beneficiaries must sign the affidavit, get it notarized, and return it to our office within 15 days of receipt. Click here for the affidavit for PTD cases. Click here for the affidavit for fatal cases.   

In addition, we require beneficiaries to provide us with a copy of a current check stub from the employer or its workers' compensation insurance carrier as proof of continued eligibility for PTD or survivor's benefits.  If the benefit is directly deposited, we will need a copy of the current notice of direct deposit.

Also, each quarter, we run a computer program against national databases to verify the payee’s most current address and living status.

Please note that we are no longer sending the "Workers' Compensation Pension Receipt" postcards with the checks. 

Termination of benefits

Beneficiaries remain eligible for RAF benefits as long as they remain eligible for PTD or survivor's benefits.  RAF benefits cease when eligibility for PTD or survivor's benefits cease. 

Contact information