Pennsylvania Form LIBC-344, the Notification of Suspension or Modification Pursuant to §§ 413(c) & (d), is the document a workers’ compensation insurer or self-insured employer files when an injured worker returns to work and the employer wants to suspend or reduce wage-loss benefits without first running through a full court hearing. The form lives on the PA Department of Labor & Industry forms page and must be filed with the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation through the WCAIS portal within seven days of the return-to-work event.
Getting LIBC-344 wrong is expensive. The Bureau processes more than 180,000 workers’ compensation claims a year, and a defective Notification of Suspension can be voided on a timely employee Challenge, restoring full benefits plus possible 50% penalties under Section 435 of the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act.
Here is what this guide will give you:
- 📝 A line-by-line walkthrough of every box and signature block on LIBC-344
- ⏱️ The exact deadlines that trigger penalties (7 days, 20 days, 21 days)
- 📎 The companion forms (LIBC-751, LIBC-756, LIBC-494A) you must include or precede
- 👥 Three real-world filled-out scenarios — same-wage return, modified-duty return, and a return that fails inside 30 days
- ⚖️ The case law (including School District of Philadelphia v. WCAB (Hilton)) that controls how the form is read
What Form LIBC-344 Is and Who Must File It
Form LIBC-344 is the official notice an insurer or self-insured employer sends to suspend or modify wage-loss workers’ compensation benefits under Section 413(c) and 413(d) of the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act. It is an automatic mechanism — the insurer can stop or reduce checks without a judge’s order, but only if the form is filled out correctly and served on time.
The party who actually completes the form is the insurer, the third-party administrator (TPA) managing the claim, or the self-insured employer. Injured workers do not fill out LIBC-344. They receive it. That said, claimants and claimant attorneys read this form carefully because it is the trigger that starts a 20-day Challenge clock.
The form applies in two narrow situations. Subsection 413(c) covers a suspension — the worker returned to a job at wages equal to or greater than the pre-injury average weekly wage. Subsection 413(d) covers a modification — the worker returned to a job at wages less than the pre-injury average weekly wage, so partial benefits continue at a reduced rate. Choosing the wrong subsection is one of the top three reasons LIBC-344 gets struck down.
Form LIBC-344 does not terminate a claim. It only addresses wage-loss benefits. Medical benefits continue under Section 306(f.1) until a separate termination petition is granted. Filers who confuse “suspension” with “termination” routinely face penalty petitions.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Open LIBC-344 only after you have every piece of information below in front of you. Missing data forces guesses, and guesses on a Section 413(c)/(d) notice get the form voided.
- The original Notice of Compensation Payable (LIBC-495) so the claim number, injury date, and accepted body parts match exactly
- The pre-injury average weekly wage (AWW) as calculated on the Statement of Wages (LIBC-494A) — wrong by a dollar and the modification math collapses
- The post-return wage figure, supported by a payroll record dated on or after the return-to-work date
- The exact date the employee returned to work, down to the calendar day
- The job title and physical demands of the new position, used to confirm it matches restrictions
- A signed Notice of Ability to Return to Work (LIBC-757) issued before the job offer, since the Burrell line of cases requires it
- The current weekly compensation rate being paid, taken from the most recent benefit ledger
- The claimant’s mailing address and counsel of record, because service defects are the single most common reason a Challenge is granted
- A blank Employee Challenge form (LIBC-751) that must be physically attached to the LIBC-344 you serve
If any item above is missing, do not file. A defective notice that is later struck down restores benefits retroactively and exposes the carrier to litigation costs under Section 440.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The only authoritative copy of LIBC-344 lives on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry forms library. Always download a fresh copy for each filing because the Bureau revises forms periodically; the revision date is printed in the lower-left corner and the current version most filers will see is the Rev. 09-22 edition.
You can also pull LIBC-344 directly from inside the Workers’ Compensation Automation and Integration System (WCAIS) when you start a Section 413 filing. WCAIS auto-populates the claim header from the underlying claim record, which reduces transcription errors on the claim number and date of injury.
Do not use a copy pulled from a third-party site, a vendor PDF library, or an attorney’s hard drive. Outdated copies omit the most recent statutory references and the redesigned signature block, and Bureau clerks reject them on intake. Filers who insist on using legacy PDFs lose days reissuing the notice — days that count against the 7-day service rule.
If you file by paper, print on plain white 8.5×11 paper, single-sided, with no scaling. Two-sided prints and shrunk-to-fit prints often misalign the signature block and trigger a rejection notice.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out LIBC-344 Line by Line
The form is a single page divided into a header block, a body of factual statements, a signature block, and a service certification. Walk through each field in the order printed.
Form Header — Revision Date Confirmation
What the field asks in plain English
The top-left and top-right of the form show the form number (LIBC-344) and the revision date. You are not filling these in, but you must confirm them before writing anything else.
How to answer it
Look at the lower-left corner of page one. Confirm the date reads at least Rev. 09-22 or later. If it reads anything older, discard the PDF and download a current copy.
A specific example answer
Insurance adjuster Carlos Rivera opens his PDF, sees Rev. 09-22, and proceeds. If he saw Rev. 03-12, he would close the file and pull a fresh copy from L&I.
A nuance or edge case
When WCAIS auto-generates the form, the revision date is current by default, but downloaded copies stored locally can drift months out of date.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence
Filers reuse a saved template from years ago. The Bureau intake clerk rejects it for missing the updated statutory cite, and the 7-day clock keeps running.
A misconception people hold about this field
Many filers believe “the form is the form.” It is not. Pennsylvania revises LIBC forms with statutory amendments, and using the wrong vintage can void the notice.
Box 1 — Employee Name
What the field asks in plain English
Write the injured worker’s full legal name as it appears on the original Notice of Compensation Payable.
How to answer it
Enter the name in First Middle Last order with no nicknames. Match the spelling on LIBC-495 letter-for-letter, including hyphens and suffixes like Jr. or III.
A specific example answer
Maria T. Gonzalez-Reyes writes exactly that, because that is how she appears on the NCP, even though her email signature reads “Maria Reyes.”
A nuance or edge case
If the employee changed her name after the date of injury — marriage, divorce, court order — use the injury-date legal name and add the current name in parentheses, e.g., Maria T. Gonzalez (now Maria T. Reyes).
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence
Adjusters copy the name from the most recent payroll record instead of the NCP. A mismatch creates a “mystery claimant” in WCAIS and the filing bounces back as unindexed.
A misconception people hold about this field
Filers think the field is informational. It is not — it is the legal identifier. A misspelling can be argued as service on the wrong person.
Box 2 — Social Security Number
What the field asks in plain English
Provide the employee’s full nine-digit Social Security number.
How to answer it
Enter all nine digits in the format XXX-XX-XXXX with hyphens. Never abbreviate or mask the number on the Bureau copy.
A specific example answer
Maria T. Gonzalez-Reyes enters 123-45-6789.
A nuance or edge case
On the employee’s service copy, mask the first five digits (XXX-XX-6789) under Pennsylvania’s privacy guidance. The Bureau copy keeps the full number.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence
Filers mask the SSN on the Bureau copy. WCAIS cannot match the claim, and the filing sits in a queue until corrected, blowing past the 7-day window.
A misconception people hold about this field
Some adjusters believe an ITIN can substitute. It cannot — the Bureau requires the SSN that was used to open the claim.
Box 3 — Date of Injury
What the field asks in plain English
The exact calendar date the work injury occurred.
How to answer it
Use MM/DD/YYYY format. Pull the date from the NCP, not from the First Report of Injury, because the two sometimes disagree and the NCP controls.
A specific example answer
06/14/2024 — the date Maria slipped on a wet warehouse floor.
A nuance or edge case
For repetitive-trauma claims, use the last day of exposure that appears on the NCP. Cumulative-trauma dates are frequently miscopied as the first day of symptoms.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence
Using the date the claim was reported instead of the date of injury. This creates a phantom claim with no underlying NCP, and the Bureau rejects the filing.
A misconception people hold about this field
Filers think small date errors get corrected silently. They do not. WCAIS treats date of injury as a primary key.
Box 4 — Claim Number
What the field asks in plain English
The Bureau-assigned WC claim number, not the insurer’s internal file number.
How to answer it
Enter the nine-digit Bureau claim number from the NCP, formatted as printed (often XXXXXXXXX with no dashes).
A specific example answer
546789012 is what Carlos enters for Maria’s claim.
A nuance or edge case
On older claims migrated into WCAIS, the legacy number and the WCAIS number can differ. Use the WCAIS number for any post-2013 filing.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence
Adjusters drop in the carrier’s internal claim number. The Bureau cannot route the form, and it is treated as never filed.
A misconception people hold about this field
Filers assume any unique identifier works. Only the Bureau number is recognized.
Box 5 — Employer Name
What the field asks in plain English
The legal name of the employer at the time of injury.
How to answer it
Use the registered legal entity name — Acme Logistics LLC, not Acme. Match what appears on the NCP.
A specific example answer
Keystone Distribution Services, Inc. is entered exactly that way.
A nuance or edge case
If the employer was acquired or merged after the injury, use the injury-date entity name and note the successor in the comments line if available.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence
Using the trade name or DBA. The Bureau may flag the filer as a stranger to the claim.
A misconception people hold about this field
Some filers think the parent company is always correct. It is not — the employing entity controls.
Box 6 — Insurer Name and Code
What the field asks in plain English
The licensed workers’ compensation insurer and its Bureau-assigned three-digit code.
How to answer it
Enter the carrier name as it appears on the policy declarations and the Bureau insurer code. For self-insured employers, enter Self-Insured and the SI code.
A specific example answer
Liberty Mutual Insurance Company — Code 187.
A nuance or edge case
Group self-insurance funds use a GSIF prefix on the code. Do not substitute the TPA name in this box; the TPA name belongs in the signature block.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence
Filers enter the TPA (e.g., Sedgwick) here. The Bureau cannot match the policy to the claim, and the form is returned.
A misconception people hold about this field
Adjusters often think the TPA is the insurer. It is not — the TPA only administers the claim.
Box 7 — Date of Return to Work
What the field asks in plain English
The first calendar day the employee actually performed work after the injury.
How to answer it
Use MM/DD/YYYY. The date must match the payroll record. If the employee worked a half-day, the half-day is still the return date.
A specific example answer
Maria returned on 03/03/2026. Carlos writes that date.
A nuance or edge case
If the employee returned, was sent home for accommodation issues, then returned again, use the first return date and explain the gap on a continuation page if needed.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence
Listing the date the employer offered the job rather than the date worked. This kills the 7-day clock argument because Section 413(c)/(d) keys to actual performance.
A misconception people hold about this field
Filers believe a “return to work” requires a full shift. It does not. Any compensable work counts.
Box 8 — Pre-Injury Average Weekly Wage
What the field asks in plain English
The weekly wage figure used to calculate the original benefit rate, taken from the LIBC-494A Statement of Wages.
How to answer it
Enter the dollar amount to two decimals ($1,042.50). Do not round. Pull from the Statement of Wages (LIBC-494A) on file with the Bureau.
A specific example answer
$1,042.50 — Maria’s AWW.
A nuance or edge case
For claims with concurrent employment, the AWW combines wages from both employers under Section 309(e). Many filers omit the second employer and understate the AWW.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence
Pulling the AWW from a recent payroll calculation rather than the filed LIBC-494A. If the numbers diverge, the modification math is wrong and the Challenge is granted.
A misconception people hold about this field
Filers think AWW can be updated post-NCP without a Supplemental Agreement. It cannot.
Box 9 — Current Weekly Compensation Rate
What the field asks in plain English
The weekly indemnity rate currently being paid to the claimant immediately before the suspension or modification.
How to answer it
Enter the rate to two decimals. If cost-of-living adjustments under Section 105.1 apply (rare), use the adjusted rate.
A specific example answer
$695.00 per week.
A nuance or edge case
For partial-disability claims already in pay, the current rate is the partial rate, not the original total-disability rate. Going back to the older number overstates the benefit.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence
Listing the maximum compensable rate for the year of injury instead of the actual rate paid. The form then references a benefit the claimant never received.
A misconception people hold about this field
Filers conflate “rate” with AWW. They are different — the rate is two-thirds of AWW, capped at the statewide maximum.
Box 10 — Post-Return Wages
What the field asks in plain English
The weekly earnings the employee is making in the return-to-work job.
How to answer it
Use the weekly figure, calculated from the offered or actual hourly rate times scheduled hours. Document with payroll.
A specific example answer
For a modification: Maria now earns $780.00 per week. For a suspension: she earns $1,042.50 or more.
A nuance or edge case
If the post-return job is paid at piece rate, commission, or variable hours, average four weeks of post-return payroll, or use the offered guaranteed minimum if the employee has not yet worked four weeks.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence
Using gross hourly rate without multiplying by hours worked. The math is then off, and the new partial-benefit calculation gets challenged.
A misconception people hold about this field
Adjusters assume a job offer’s stated wage is enough. The employee has to actually be earning it for a Section 413(c)/(d) filing — otherwise an Earning Power Assessment under Section 306(b)(2) is needed instead.
Box 11 — Suspension or Modification Election
What the field asks in plain English
Check one box: Suspension under §413(c) or Modification under §413(d).
How to answer it
If post-return wages equal or exceed AWW, check Suspension. If post-return wages are less than AWW, check Modification.
A specific example answer
Carlos checks Modification because $780.00 < $1,042.50.
A nuance or edge case
Equal wages are still a suspension, not a modification, even if the new job has different hours. Compare the weekly totals, not the hourly rates.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence
Checking Suspension when wages are slightly lower. The math on the form then contradicts the box, and the notice is voided as internally inconsistent.
A misconception people hold about this field
Filers think they can check both. They cannot — the Act requires one or the other.
Box 12 — New Partial Compensation Rate (Modification only)
What the field asks in plain English
For modifications, the new weekly partial-disability rate after applying the §306(b) formula.
How to answer it
Calculate as two-thirds of the difference between AWW and post-return wages: ( \text{New Rate} = \tfrac{2}{3} \times (\text{AWW} – \text{Post-Return Wages}) ).
A specific example answer
For Maria: ( \tfrac{2}{3} \times (1042.50 – 780.00) = 175.00 ). Carlos enters $175.00.
A nuance or edge case
The rate cannot exceed the statewide maximum compensation rate for the year of injury, nor fall below the statutory minimum.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence
Forgetting to multiply by two-thirds. The overstated rate triggers an overpayment recovery petition later.
A misconception people hold about this field
Filers confuse this with the original total-disability rate. It is a fresh calculation for each modification.
Box 13 — Effective Date of Suspension/Modification
What the field asks in plain English
The first calendar day the new payment status takes effect.
How to answer it
Use MM/DD/YYYY. The date must equal the date of return to work, not the date the form is signed.
A specific example answer
03/03/2026, the same as Box 7.
A nuance or edge case
If the employee returned mid-week, the suspension/modification still begins that day. Pay through the prior day at the old rate.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence
Backdating to “clean up” a missed payment cycle. The Bureau treats this as fraud-adjacent and a judge can reverse it.
A misconception people hold about this field
Filers think the effective date can be the next pay period. It cannot — the Act keys to the return-to-work date.
Box 14 — Insurer/Employer Signature, Title, and Date
What the field asks in plain English
The handwritten or electronic signature of an authorized adjuster or self-insured employer representative, plus title and signing date.
How to answer it
Sign in ink (paper) or apply a WCAIS-authenticated e-signature. Print the signer’s name and title (Senior Claims Adjuster, Risk Manager) and the signing date.
A specific example answer
Carlos Rivera, Senior Claims Adjuster, Liberty Mutual — signed 03/05/2026.
A nuance or edge case
Attorneys who sign on behalf of insurers must include their PA bar number. TPA employees sign in their own name, not the insurer’s name.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence
Leaving the title blank. WCAIS rejects unsigned-by-title submissions as procedurally defective.
A misconception people hold about this field
Some filers believe a stamped signature is fine. The Bureau permits e-signature only through WCAIS authentication.
Service Certification (Bottom of Form)
What the field asks in plain English
A sworn statement showing how, when, and to whom the form was served.
How to answer it
Enter the date of service, method (First-Class Mail, Certified Mail, WCAIS Electronic Service), and the names and addresses of the claimant and claimant’s counsel.
A specific example answer
Served by First-Class Mail on 03/05/2026 to Maria T. Gonzalez-Reyes, 412 Walnut St., Reading, PA 19601, and to Attorney James Park, 100 N. 6th St., Reading, PA 19601.
A nuance or edge case
If the claimant is unrepresented, write Pro Se on the counsel line. Service on counsel is mandatory whenever an entry of appearance is on file.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence
Forgetting to serve counsel. Under School District of Philadelphia v. WCAB (Hilton), 762 A.2d 793, service on counsel is required and a missed service voids the notice.
A misconception people hold about this field
Filers think e-filing through WCAIS automatically serves all parties. It does not for paper-only attorneys; verify the service preferences on file.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Scenario 1 — Maria Returns to a Modified-Duty Job at Lower Wages
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters for Maria |
|---|---|
| Box 1 — Employee Name | Maria T. Gonzalez-Reyes |
| Box 3 — Date of Injury | 06/14/2024 |
| Box 4 — Claim Number | 546789012 |
| Box 7 — Return-to-Work Date | 03/03/2026 |
| Box 8 — Pre-Injury AWW | $1,042.50 |
| Box 10 — Post-Return Wages | $780.00 |
| Box 11 — Election | Modification under §413(d) |
| Box 12 — New Partial Rate | $175.00 |
| Box 13 — Effective Date | 03/03/2026 |
| Service Certification | First-Class Mail to claimant and Atty. James Park, 03/05/2026 |
Scenario 2 — Marcus Returns to His Old Job at Equal Wages
| Form Section | What Adjuster Janet Enters for Marcus |
|---|---|
| Box 1 — Employee Name | Marcus D. Whitfield |
| Box 3 — Date of Injury | 11/02/2025 |
| Box 4 — Claim Number | 612340987 |
| Box 7 — Return-to-Work Date | 04/15/2026 |
| Box 8 — Pre-Injury AWW | $1,310.00 |
| Box 10 — Post-Return Wages | $1,310.00 |
| Box 11 — Election | Suspension under §413(c) |
| Box 12 — New Partial Rate | N/A — suspension |
| Box 13 — Effective Date | 04/15/2026 |
| Service Certification | WCAIS Electronic Service on claimant counsel; First-Class Mail to claimant, 04/16/2026 |
Scenario 3 — Aisha Returns Then Stops Working Within 30 Days (Challenge Filed)
| Form Section | What TPA Adjuster Diego Enters for Aisha |
|---|---|
| Box 1 — Employee Name | Aisha N. Patel |
| Box 3 — Date of Injury | 09/21/2025 |
| Box 4 — Claim Number | 730456001 |
| Box 7 — Return-to-Work Date | 02/10/2026 |
| Box 8 — Pre-Injury AWW | $905.00 |
| Box 10 — Post-Return Wages | $905.00 |
| Box 11 — Election | Suspension under §413(c) |
| Box 13 — Effective Date | 02/10/2026 |
| Attached Form | LIBC-751 Employee Challenge filed by Aisha on 02/24/2026 |
| Service Certification | Certified Mail to claimant and Atty. Lin, 02/12/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
LIBC-344 must reach the Bureau and the claimant within seven days of the return-to-work event. The Bureau allows three filing channels.
Online via WCAIS. Log in, open the claim, choose File a Section 413 Notification, attach the completed PDF, and submit. There is no filing fee. Expected processing time is one to two business days for indexing. Save the WCAIS confirmation number as proof of filing.
By First-Class or Certified Mail to the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, 1171 South Cameron Street, Room 324, Harrisburg, PA 17104-2501. No fee. Processing takes seven to ten business days. Keep the Certified Mail green card or USPS tracking record as proof of filing.
By in-person delivery at the Harrisburg Bureau office during business hours. No fee. Get the intake clerk’s date stamp on a copy and keep that copy.
Service on the claimant and claimant’s counsel is separate from filing with the Bureau and must occur on or before the Bureau filing date. Acceptable service is First-Class Mail, Certified Mail, or WCAIS Electronic Service for parties who have opted in.
What Happens After You File
Once LIBC-344 is filed, three clocks start. The 20-day Challenge clock under Section 413(c)/(d) lets the employee file an Employee Challenge (LIBC-751) contesting the suspension or modification. The 21-day mailing window is the absolute outer limit for the Bureau to receive the form. The 30-day return-to-work observation window matters because if the employee stops working within 30 days due to the original injury, the Challenge process is the only way for the employee to restore benefits without a full petition.
If a Challenge is filed, a special expedited hearing is scheduled within 21 days, and a workers’ compensation judge decides whether benefits resume. The insurer carries the burden of proving the return-to-work facts on the form.
If no Challenge is filed within 20 days, the suspension or modification becomes binding by operation of law. The carrier then continues benefits at the new rate (or at zero, for a suspension) until a further change in status occurs.
A defective LIBC-344 — wrong subsection, missing service, miscalculated rate — is treated as if it were never filed, and benefits are restored retroactively, often with Section 440 attorney fees added to the award.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Filing more than 7 days after return to work. The notice loses its automatic effect and the carrier must file a full Modification Petition.
- Checking Suspension when wages are even one dollar below AWW. The math contradicts the box and a judge voids the notice.
- Forgetting to attach a blank LIBC-751. The Bureau treats the service as defective because the employee cannot easily Challenge.
- Skipping service on claimant’s counsel. Under Hilton, the notice is invalid even if the claimant got it personally.
- Using the TPA name in Box 6. The Bureau cannot match the policy and the filing is returned unindexed.
- Pulling AWW from current payroll rather than the LIBC-494A. The numbers conflict and the modification rate fails on review.
- Backdating the effective date. This invites a fraud allegation and a Section 435 penalty petition.
- Miscalculating the partial rate by forgetting the two-thirds multiplier. Overpayment recovery requires a separate petition and rarely succeeds in full.
- Using an outdated form revision. Older revisions omit current statutory cites and are rejected at intake.
- Failing to issue LIBC-757 Notice of Ability to Return to Work before the job offer. The Burrell line of cases makes this a prerequisite, and missing it dooms the modification.
- Listing the date the job was offered instead of the date worked. Section 413(c)/(d) keys to actual performance, not offers.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Do download a fresh PDF from L&I for every filing because revisions happen quietly.
- Do verify AWW from the original LIBC-494A so the math is bulletproof.
- Do attach a blank LIBC-751 to the claimant’s service copy because the Act requires it.
- Do use Certified Mail when in doubt because tracking proves service.
- Do keep a WCAIS confirmation screenshot because the system occasionally drops uploads.
-
Do copy the claimant’s attorney on every page because Hilton makes counsel-service mandatory.
-
Don’t check both Suspension and Modification because the Act treats them as mutually exclusive.
- Don’t sign with a stamp because only WCAIS-authenticated e-signatures are accepted.
- Don’t file the form before the employee actually performs work because performance triggers the right.
- Don’t rely on the claimant’s old address because returned mail can void service.
- Don’t skip the title under your signature because untitled signatures are bounced.
- Don’t treat suspension as termination because medical benefits continue regardless.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
- Pro — Faster turnaround: A claims adjuster who knows the form can file within hours, beating the 7-day clock with room to spare.
- Pro — Lower cost: No outside legal fees on routine same-wage returns.
- Pro — Direct WCAIS access: Adjusters have logins and can self-serve.
- Pro — Fewer hand-offs: Internal staff have the wage records on hand.
-
Pro — Easier amendments: In-house filers can correct typos quickly.
-
Con — Higher error rate on complex AWW calculations: Concurrent employment cases routinely trip up non-attorneys.
- Con — Hilton service mistakes: Adjusters often skip counsel-service.
- Con — Misuse of §413(c) vs. §413(d): Subsection errors are the leading cause of voided notices.
- Con — Penalty exposure under §435: Defective filings invite penalty petitions.
- Con — Lost litigation leverage: A botched LIBC-344 can boost a claimant’s negotiating position later.
How LIBC-344 Compares to Related Forms
| Form | Purpose |
|---|---|
| LIBC-344 — Notification of Suspension/Modification | Stop or reduce wage-loss benefits when the employee returns to work, under §413(c)/(d) |
| LIBC-337 — Notice of Compensation Denial | Deny a claim outright before any benefits begin |
| LIBC-495 — Notice of Compensation Payable | Accept a claim and start benefits |
| LIBC-751 — Employee Challenge | Employee’s response to a LIBC-344 |
| LIBC-757 — Notice of Ability to Return to Work | Pre-offer disclosure required by Burrell |
| LIBC-378 — Final Receipt | Closes out a claim after final payment |
FAQs
Can the employer file LIBC-344 directly, or must the insurer do it?
Yes. A self-insured employer files directly through WCAIS. An insured employer’s carrier or TPA files. Either way, the filer must have authority to bind the insurer.
Do I write the claimant’s maiden name or married name in Box 1?
Yes — use the legal name on the original NCP, then add the current name in parentheses if it changed after the date of injury.
Does masking the SSN on the Bureau copy violate the rules?
Yes. Mask only on the employee’s service copy. The Bureau copy must show the full nine-digit SSN so WCAIS can match the claim.
Can I file LIBC-344 if the employee only returned for one day?
Yes. Any compensable performance counts as a return to work, but if the employee stops within 30 days the Challenge process governs.
Do I have to issue LIBC-757 before LIBC-344?
Yes. The Burrell line of cases requires a Notice of Ability to Return to Work before any modification based on a job offer.
Can I check both Suspension and Modification if the wages fluctuate?
No. Pick one based on the weekly wage on the effective date. File a new LIBC-344 if status changes later.
Is a stamped signature acceptable in Box 14?
No. Only ink signatures on paper or WCAIS-authenticated e-signatures are valid; stamps are rejected.
Does suspending wage-loss benefits also stop medical benefits?
No. Medical benefits under §306(f.1) continue until a separate termination petition is granted.
Can I file LIBC-344 by email to the Bureau?
No. Acceptable channels are WCAIS, U.S. Mail, or in-person delivery to the Harrisburg office.
If the employee’s counsel is not on file, can I skip Box for counsel?
Yes. Write Pro Se on the counsel line, but verify no entry of appearance exists in WCAIS first.
Does an LIBC-344 close the case?
No. It only adjusts wage-loss benefits. The claim remains open for medical and possible reinstatement.
What if I miscalculated the partial rate by a few dollars?
No quick fix — file a corrected LIBC-344 immediately and refund any underpayment. Overpayments require a Modification Petition or judge-approved offset.
Can the claimant Challenge after the 20-day window?
No — except in cases of fraud or defective service, in which case the claimant files a Reinstatement Petition instead of an LIBC-751.
Do concurrent-employment wages factor into Box 8?
Yes. Under §309(e), AWW combines wages from all covered employers at the time of injury.
Is a TPA’s adjuster authorized to sign Box 14?
Yes — when the TPA has written authority from the insurer. The signature line must show the adjuster’s own name and the TPA’s name, not the carrier’s name alone.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Pennsylvania Form LIBC-336 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Pennsylvania Form LIBC-337 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Pennsylvania Form LIBC-501 (w/Examples) + FAQs
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