Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry Bureau of Workers’ Compensation has created the Direct Deposit Payment Authorization Form
Key Takeaways
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The Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation has created the Direct Deposit Payment Authorization Form
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As part of the form, claimants must sign “Authorization Statements”
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This new form may become a useful tool to challenge the credibility of claimants during litigation
Following the signing of Senate Bill 1232 amending the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act to require that employers and insurers offer claimants the option to receive their Workers’ Compensation payments by way of direct deposit as of December 28, 2024 (see our previous alert here), the Bureau has created the Direct Deposit Payment Authorization Form, click here to view the form.
As part of the direct deposit form, claimants now must sign “Authorization Statements,” acknowledging that any false statement or failure to disclose a material fact to obtain or increase compensation could result in prosecution for fraud or discontinuation of workers’ compensation benefits. Claimants must also acknowledge their responsibility to notify the employer/insurer of any changes in their circumstances which may impact their entitlement to workers’ compensation benefits. Finally, claimants acknowledge that they are solely responsible for the accuracy of their payment information and that to change or discontinue direct deposit, they must complete and submit a new form. This form may ultimately become a useful tool to challenge the credibility of claimants during litigation and in addressing future Penalty Petitions that may be filed based upon untimely payments or direct deposit issues.
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