# Georgia — Workers' compensation waiting periods and retroactive thresholds by US state

For Georgia, waiting period (days) is 7 days; retroactive trigger (days) is 21 consecutive days; how days are counted is The worker is entitled to weekly income benefits if unable to work for more than 7 days. If the worker misses more than 21 consecutive days, the first week is paid; statute or rule citation is O.C.G.A. § 34-9-220, recorded from its source on 2026-08-17.

- **State:** Georgia _(our reading, not quoted from the source)_
- **Waiting period (days):** 7 days _(verified: appears in the quote below)_
- **Retroactive trigger (days):** 21 consecutive days _(verified: appears in the quote below)_
- **How days are counted:** The worker is entitled to weekly income benefits if unable to work for more than 7 days. If the worker misses more than 21 consecutive days, the first week is paid. _(verified: appears in the quote below)_
- **Statute or rule citation:** O.C.G.A. § 34-9-220 _(our reading, not quoted from the source)_

## What the source says

> You are entitled to weekly income benefits if you are unable to work for more than 7 days. Your first check should be mailed to you within 21 days after the first day you missed work. If you miss more than 21 consecutive days, you will be paid for the first week.

## Source

- https://sbwc.georgia.gov/frequently-asked-questions/workers-compensation-law-faqs

Last verified: 2026-08-17. Review by: 2027-08-17.
Part of [Workers' compensation waiting periods and retroactive thresholds by US state](https://referencesource.org/wc-waiting-periods-by-state/).