Document name

Allowance – Personal Care

Document number

POL 10/2014

Personal care means the care a worker needs in relation to:

• Hygiene.
• Dressing.
• Mobility.
• Feeding, and
• Supervision.

1. The Workers’ Compensation Act, 2013 allows the WCB to provide personal care allowances (PCA) to workers (Section 79).
2. The WCB can take any measures necessary to (Section 111):
   1. Help workers return-to-work.
   2. Lessen work-related disabilities.
   3. Help dependent spouses become self-sufficient.
3. The WCB may pay for any medical aid or treatment that the worker needs because of an injury (Section 115).

1. The WCB provides PCAs to workers that have temporary or permanent physical or cognitive needs because of a work injury.
2. All decisions concerning PCA will be confirmed in writing.
3. If the worker’s personal care requirements are serious or unique enough, additional special care costs may be considered. If a family member of the worker is qualified to provide the needed care and the health care provider has no objection to this, the WCB will acknowledge them as able.
4. The WCB will annually adjust PCAs by yearly changes to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). POL 07/2013, CPI – Annual Indexing and PRO 15/2020, CPI – Annual Increase will apply.
5. If the worker is in the hospital, the WCB will suspend PCA if the worker stays for more than 30 consecutive days.