Policy
Workers are entitled to a future economic loss (FEL) sustainability benefit if they have no actual or anticipated wage loss, but they are:
- participating in return-to-work (RTW) activities
- back at work, but the ability to perform the job is in doubt, or
- working in an accommodated job.
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to outline when a worker is entitled to a FEL sustainability benefit.
Guidelines
Definitions
The FEL sustainability benefit
The FEL sustainability benefit is a nominal benefit of $1 per year which:
- recognizes that workers may not be able to maintain their earnings, and
- allows the WSIB to pay a FEL supplement if a worker requires RTW assistance to restore earnings, or a medical rehabilitation program.
No wage loss
Workers have no wage loss if their pre-injury net average earnings (NAE) are matched or exceeded by their post-injury NAE.
An accommodated job
An accommodated job is one which:
- includes significant work or workplace modifications that would not generally be available in the general labour market
- pays the worker at a rate significantly higher than what the employer pays for similar jobs, or is one where the productivity required of the worker is significantly lower than would normally be expected
- was created especially for the worker (e.g., tasks and work processes have been specifically accommodated for the worker's impairment and are not likely to exist with, or be provided by, another employer), or
- if eliminated, restricts the worker's ability to find new employment with similar clinical precautions/accommodations in the general labour market.
If a worker returns to accommodated employment and that job is no longer available at the time of the final review, the WSIB may refer the worker for a RTW services, see 18-04-20, Final FEL Benefit Review.
When is it appropriate?
If the worker participates in RTW activities
If a worker is participating in RTW activities and it is anticipated that the worker will not have a wage loss, the worker is entitled to a FEL sustainability benefit.
If the WSIB is concerned about the worker's ability to sustain these earnings at the completion of the plan, this is noted in the claim.
If the worker returns to work (unaccommodated)
If a worker returns to work without accommodation and has no wage loss, but the WSIB has doubts about the worker's ongoing ability to perform the job, the worker is entitled to a FEL sustainability benefit. If the worker becomes unable to perform the job due to a clinical deterioration, the worker may be entitled to a FEL supplement, see 18-04-12, Supplement Following Significant Deterioration.
When evaluating the worker's ongoing ability to perform the job, the WSIB considers all available evidence, such as medical opinions, etc.
If the WSIB anticipates that the worker may be laid off due to economic conditions only, the worker is not entitled to a FEL sustainability benefit.
If the worker returns to work (accommodated)
If a worker returns to work in an accommodated job at no wage loss, the worker is entitled to a FEL sustainability benefit. This acknowledges that:
- the employer may not be able to continue to provide the job, and
- the worker may not be able to keep working in the job due to the work-related condition.
If an accommodated job is eliminated, the worker may not be able to find a new job under similar circumstances. Paying a FEL sustainability benefit enables the decision-maker to pay a supplement if the accommodated job is no longer available due to the reasons stated and the worker requires RTW assistance.
0% NEL
Workers are not entitled to a FEL sustainability benefit if they are rated for NEL at 0%, see 18-04-15, Effect of a 0% NEL Rating on FEL Benefits.
When is entitlement determined?
The WSIB may determine entitlement to a sustainability benefit when a FEL is first paid, or at any review.
More information
For information on RTW, see 19-02-07, RTW Overview and Key Concepts, 19-02-08, RTW Co-operation Obligations; 19-02-09, Re-employment Obligations, and 19-02-10, RTW Assessments and Plans.
Application date
This policy applies to all FEL decisions made on or after March 1, 2021, for accidents from January 2, 1990 to December 31, 1997.
Document history
This document replaces 18-04-13 dated February 15, 2013.
This document was previously published as:
18-04-13 dated August 1, 2007
18-04-13 dated October 12, 2004
18-04-13 dated June 15, 1999
7.12 dated January 1, 1998.
References
Legislative authority
Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997, as amended
Sections 47(9), (13), 102, 106, 107, 108
Workers' Compensation Act, R.S.O. 1990, as amended
Section 43
Minute
Administrative
#37, March 24, 2021 Page 590