How is the Average Weekly Wage calculated for benefits?

• A. From the average income in the 13 weeks prior to the injury
• B. From the average income in the 26 weeks prior
• C. From the last 12 months
• D. From the week of injury

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that benefits are based on a rolling average of the worker’s recent earnings. In Texas, the Average Weekly Wage is calculated by taking all wages earned during the 13 weeks immediately before the date of injury, summing them, and dividing by 13. This provides a current earnings baseline used to determine benefit amounts, such as temporary disability, which are a percentage of the AWW. Using the 13-week window ties the benefit level to the most recent earnings pattern rather than longer-ago pay. Other windows (like 26 weeks, the last 12 months, or the week of injury) wouldn’t reflect the worker’s recent earning capacity and are not used for this calculation.