Compensation benefits are established in a variety of ways, some by provincial legislation and some by WCB policy. For example, Section 69 of The
Workers' Compensation Act, 1979 (the "Act") requires that compensation being paid for loss of earning capacity under Sections 68(1), 71 and 72 be adjusted annually by the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) published by Statistics Canada - See
Section 4.1 of the Procedure Manual. Travel and medical expenses, on the other hand, are reimbursed to clients based on Provincial Service Commission (PSC) rates - See
Section 4.3 of the Procedure Manual.
Medical and Travel Expenses
Wage loss
Permanent Impairment
Independence Allowance
Disfigurement Award
Long term Benefits
Annuities
Relocation
Suspension of Benefits
Death Benefits
Medical and Travel Expenses
Even if you don't take time off work but need medical attention, you may get benefits. The WCB may cover the cost of any medical treatment, prescriptions
and other prescribed medical items you need because of your work injury. The WCB will also cover the cost of artificial limbs, braces and
orthopedic and prosthetic aids.
Keep your receipts for these expenses. Forward them to the WCB in a letter or with a
Worker's Expense form. Once we receive them, it will take us
about three days to issue you a cheque for the expenses we cover.
If you have to travel for medical treatment, talk to your WCB representative before you go. The WCB will repay you for travel to the nearest health care provider only:
- If you have to go to another community for treatment, and
- If traveling to that community costs more than what you'd normally pay to go to and from work.
Wage Loss
If you are injured at work, and off work beyond the day you were injured, you may be
entitled to receive wage-loss benefits equal to 90 per cent of your probable take-home pay.
Wage-loss benefits received from the WCB are not subject to income tax. View
examples.
Net earnings (take-home pay) = Gross earnings - probable deductions (income tax payable + CPP + EI premiums)
Benefit payments begin on the day of first wage loss after the date of injury, with the
initial payment made in 14 days or less, if possible. Further payments are usually made
every two weeks, if the WCB has medical confirmation of your continuing inability to work.
Because wage-loss benefits are calculated on employment income, injured workers must notify
their case managers if they:
start any work activity with a new or pre-injury employer,
earn any other income while receiving WCB benefits,
begin or are already involved in self-employment activities or partnership
activities.
Permanent Impairment
If a work injury results in a permanent impairment such as the loss of a limb, the worker
may receive a lump sum payment. If the permanent functional impairment (PFI) was determined
prior to January 1, 2003, the minimum lump sum award is $1,100 and the maximum is $22,600.
If the PFI was determined after January 1, 2003, the minimum lump sum is $2,200 and the
maximum is $45,200.
This lump-sum payment is in addition to wage-loss compensation, if applicable, or in some
cases, even if there was no wage loss. The lump sum is dependent on the percentage of
impairment. The percentage is determine by medical services based on the
Permanent
Functional Impairment Rating Schedule.
Independence Allowance
If a work injury results in a severe functional
impairment, the WCB may also provide an annual
independence allowance to assist in maintaining an independent lifestyle.
Disfigurement Award
If you have permanent scarring on your face, neck, hands, arms, torso, legs or feet as a result of a work injury, you may be eligible for a lump sum payment. The amount of award is determined by the extent of your disfigurement only, separate from any loss of physical function. The minimum disfigurement award is $500 and is based on a .25% disfigurement or greater; the maximum amount is $15,000. See
chart.
To allow for maximum healing, assessment of a disfigurement will be made no sooner than two years after the injury or final surgery. Claims that were assessed prior to August 21, 2007 will be assessed according to the policy in effect at the time of original assessment.
Long-Term Benefits
Wage-loss benefits may continue for as long as you experience total or partial loss of
earning capacity due to the injury. Benefits usually end at age 65. To protect wage-loss
benefits from the effects of inflation, they are reviewed annually based on changes in the
Consumer Price Index.
Annuities
After paying compensation benefits for 24 consecutive months, the WCB begins to set aside
an amount equal to 10 per cent of an injured worker's or spouse's benefits. These funds
draw interest in a reserve administered by the WCB. At age 65, the injured worker or
surviving spouse must use these funds to purchase an annuity that provides retirement
income. If the amount accumulated is less than $20,000, the board may pay the accumulated
capital and interest to the worker. View
Annuities fact sheet.
Relocation
WCB benefits may be affected if you relocate. View the
Voluntary Relocation Outside Canada
fact sheet. Moving out-of-province can affect your benefits, as well as, your medical
treatment or rehabilitation. Before moving, contact the WCB for details on how it could
affect your claim.
Suspension Of Benefits
The WCB has the authority to review compensation payments and, if warranted, increase,
decrease, suspend or terminate benefits. Benefits are subject to
suspension if the loss of
earnings is prolonged or increased as a result of the client's non-attendance at a medical
appointment or medical procedure, or non-participation in a vocational rehabilitation
program.
Death Benefits
WCB will pay the full cost of transporting the body to the worker's home community from anywhere in Canada, and a
funeral allowance of $10,000. This amount is indexed annually. For deaths occurring in 2007, the allowance is $10,707.
- Spousal Benefits
If a worker is survived by a dependent spouse, the spouse is entitled to benefits:
- Wage-loss Benefit
The spouse will be paid a monthly allowance. This allowance is non-taxable and continues
even if the spouse remarries. Certain conditions apply.
For the first five years, or until the youngest child is 16 years of age (or 18, if the child is
enrolled in a secondary or post-secondary institution):
- The monthly allowance is 90% of the deceased worker's average net weekly earnings.
- If the worker had no earnings at the time of death, the spouse is eligible for minimum
compensation, which is one-half of the average industrial wage as of June in the
preceding year.
- The spouse is encouraged to take training as needed to enter the workforce.
After five years, or when the youngest child is 16 years of age (or 18, if enrolled in a
secondary or post-secondary institution):
- If the spouse is able to work, the WCB will top up their employment earnings to the
amount of the monthly allowance, both indexed annually, to the age of 65.
- If the spouse is able to work, but chooses not to, the WCB will estimate what they
could earn, and deduct that amount from the monthly allowance payable to age 65.
Both the estimate and allowance are indexed annually
- If for good reason, the spouse is not able to work, the full monthly allowance will
continue until age 65.
- Retirement Benefit
After the dependent spouse has received wage-loss benefits for 24 months, the WCB will set
aside an amount equal to 10% of the total wage-loss benefits paid up to that time to provide
retirement income, and will continue to set aside 10% of wage-loss benefits as long as the
spouse is eligible for them. At age 65, the dependent spouse must use this money, plus
interest, to buy an annuity (a sum of money paid out at regular intervals). If the amount,
including interest, is less than $20,000, the spouse can either buy an annuity or have the full
amount paid out as cash.
- Benefits for Dependent Children
Children aged 18-25, who are attending a secondary or post-secondary institution full-time, receive a
monthly allowance plus tuition and books for a maximum of 36 months.
- Canada Pension Plan Benefits
Under WCB legislation, after 12 months, one-half of any Canada Pension Plan monthly survivor's
pension and children's benefits received under that plan must be considered as income, and that
amount will be deducted from the WCB benefits payable to the dependent spouse or children.
Benefits