Document name

Allowance – Independence

Document number

POL 34/2024

1. The Workers’ Compensation Act, 2013 (the Act) authorizes the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) to provide an independence allowance to workers who, in the opinion of the Board Members, have severe permanent functional impairment due to a work-related injury (Section 67).
2. The annual amount of an independence allowance is based on when the worker’s permanent functional impairment (PFI) was first determined and must not exceed the maximum allowance amounts as follows (Section 67):
   1. Before January 1, 2003, up to 10% of the maximum amount of the PFI award.
   2. On or after January 1, 2003 but before January 1, 2025, up to 5% of the maximum amount of the PFI award.
   3. On or after January 1, 2025, up to $2,260.
   4. On or after January 1, 2026, the independence allowance amount for PFIs assessed on or after January 1, 2025 will be adjusted annually by the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
3. Permanent functional impairments resulting from a work-related injury are assessed and rated in accordance with POL and PRO 33/2024, Permanent Functional Impairment (PFI) Awards.

1. The WCB may provide an annual life-time independence allowance (IA) to workers who:
   1. Are assessed as having a permanent functional impairment (PFI) rating of 10% or greater resulting from their work-related injury and
   2. Require assistance to maintain independence.
2. The IA is intended to optimize and maintain the worker’s independence by offsetting additional costs caused by the work-related injury. The IA can offset costs for such things as:
   1. Routine home maintenance (e.g., daily, weekly, seasonal), including hiring someone to cut grass, clear snow, etc.
   2. Fees that property owners charge for property maintenance.
   3. Transportation services (e.g., taxi, paratransit).
3. The IA is not intended for major home projects or renovations (e.g., house painting, shingle replacement, etc.).

Eligibility

4. For worker’s who have a PFI rating of 10% or more, IA eligibility is based on the worker’s:
   1. PFI rating, and
   2. Physical need due to the work-related injury.
5. Workers with a PFI rating solely for hearing loss will not be eligible for an IA.

Independence allowance calculation

6. A worker’s IA payment will be based on:
   1. The worker’s PFI rating percentage,
   2. When the worker’s PFI rating was first determined (i.e., the worker’s original PFI assessment), and
   3. Maximum annual IA amounts specified through the Act and the Consumer Price Index (CPI) – Annual Increase procedure (rounded to the nearest dollar).
7. If the worker dies after the WCB issues the IA, and the payment extends for a period beyond the date of death, WCB will not pursue an overpayment recovery of the IA payment.

Reassessments and recalculations

8. If a worker’s PFI rating is reassessed due to a change in the worker’s level of impairment and the worker’s PFI rating changes, the following applies:
   1. The maximum IA amount in effect at the time the worker’s PFI rating is first determined will apply during any IA recalculations.
   2. If the worker’s PFI rating increases to 10 per cent or greater, the worker may be eligible for an IA.
   3. If the worker’s PFI rating increases and was receiving IA, the worker may be eligible for an increased IA amount.
   4. If the worker’s PFI rating decreases, the worker’s IA amount may be reduced or discontinued.