In February 2025, we’ll be distributing $2 billion to eligible Schedule 1 businesses, as our insurance fund has a surplus greater than our necessary reserve due to strong operational, financial and investment management.
Our provision of surplus rebates recognizes the important role Ontario businesses play in funding our no-fault work-related injury and illness insurance system, while continuing to protect our ability to help people who have experienced a work-related injury or illness with a safe, timely and lasting recovery and return to work today and into the future.
Eligibility criteria
Businesses must meet all the following eligibility requirements to receive a rebate of surplus funds in February 2025:
- have an active account and premium payment obligations as of November 1, 2024
- had premium obligations in 2023
- have not been convicted of a Workplace Safety and Insurance Act or an Occupational Health and Safety Act offence in a proceeding under Part III of the Provincial Offences Act, in 2024 or in 2025 up to and including the date the WSIB issues a surplus rebate
- have not been convicted in more than one such proceeding under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, or have not been convicted in more than one such proceeding under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, between 2020 and 2025 up to and including the date the WSIB issues a surplus rebate
- have not had a traumatic workplace fatality attributed to the organization in 2024 or in 2025 up to and including the date the WSIB issues a surplus rebate, or have not had more than one traumatic workplace fatality attributed to the organization between 2020 and 2025, up to and including the date the WSIB issues a surplus rebate
- must not be affiliated through common ownership with a business that:
- is ineligible to receive a surplus rebate based on the convictions criteria outlined, and
- has a traumatic workplace fatality attributed to them between 2020 and 2025, up to and including the date the WSIB issues a surplus rebate
Information about your business’s eligibility will be available in February 2025 and credit amounts will be displayed in eligible business’s online services accounts at that time.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the WSIB have a surplus?
Our strong financial and investment strategy along with positive operational results has led to a surplus in our insurance fund. A surplus above and beyond our needed reserve allows for a rebate to businesses in 2025.
How/when will the rebate be distributed?
A rebate of surplus funds credit will be applied to eligible businesses’ accounts in February 2025. Rebates will be available exclusively through our online services.
Why will businesses receive a surplus rebate rather than a further premium rate reduction?
In addition to distributing surplus funds, we’ve lowered the average premium rate for businesses in 2025 to $1.25 per $100 of insurable earnings, the lowest it has been in over 50 years. The 2025 decrease means we’ve cut the average premium rate by more than 50 per cent over the last decade, resulting in cumulative savings for businesses of approximately $18.6 billion since 2017.
Compared to 2024 alone, Ontario businesses will save approximately $150 million, which can be invested in new jobs, technology, and health and safety improvements.
Who’s eligible to receive the rebate of surplus funds?
Schedule 1 businesses must meet all the following eligibility requirements to receive a rebate of surplus funds in February 2025:
- have an active account and premium payment obligations as of November 1, 2024
- had premium obligations in 2023
- have not been convicted of a Workplace Safety and Insurance Act or an Occupational Health and Safety Act offence in a proceeding under Part III of the Provincial Offences Act, in 2024 or in 2025 up to and including the date the WSIB issues a surplus rebate
- have not been convicted in more than one such proceeding under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, or have not been convicted in more than one such proceeding under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, between 2020 and 2025 up to and including the date the WSIB issues a surplus rebate
- have not had a traumatic workplace fatality attributed to the organization in 2024 or in 2025 up to and including the date the WSIB issues a surplus rebate, or have not had more than one traumatic workplace fatality attributed to the organization between 2020 and 2025, up to and including the date the WSIB issues a surplus rebate
- must not be affiliated through common ownership with a business that:
- is ineligible to receive a surplus rebate based on the convictions criteria outlined, and
- has a traumatic workplace fatality attributed to them between 2020 and 2025, up to and including the date the WSIB issues a surplus rebate
Can I request to receive a surplus rebate by cheque?
Businesses will be notified about their individual eligibility in February 2025. We'll share further information on how to request a payment by cheque at that time.
Why do the eligibility requirements include criteria related to business affiliation?
As with our surplus rebate in 2022, we’ve included eligibility criteria related to business affiliation in 2025 to reflect the various ways businesses are structured and register with us to ensure fairness in how surplus rebates are applied for safe businesses.
Is there a maximum dollar amount a business’s surplus rebate will be capped at?
There’s no cap on a business’s surplus rebate.
Why are only Schedule 1 businesses eligible to receive a rebate of surplus funds?
Our surplus is the result of return on investments in our insurance fund that Schedule 1 businesses prospectively contribute to. Schedule 2 businesses don’t contribute to this fund and are individually responsible for the full cost of the accident claims filed by people who are injured or become ill in their workplace.
Our rebate of surplus funds above and beyond our needed reserve recognizes the important role Schedule 1 businesses play in funding our collective liability work-related injury and illness insurance system while protecting our ability to help people who experienced a workplace injury or illness with a safe, timely and lasting recovery and return to work today and into the future.
Will benefits to people with a work-related injury or illness be impacted by the surplus rebate?
Surplus distribution won’t impact benefits paid to people with a work-related injury or illness.
Will surplus rebates be available in future years as well?
We’ll continue to evaluate our financial and investment results to determine if we’re in a position to rebate surplus funds above our needed reserve in future years.
Why have traumatic fatalities been added to the eligibility criteria for all businesses when they were included in the 2022 distribution only for affiliated accounts or Temporary Employment Agencies?
Our eligibility criteria is based on the guiding principle of rewarding only safe businesses with surplus rebates.
Will this eligibility be the same for any future surplus distribution?
If we’re in a position to provide a rebate of surplus funds in the future, we’ll determine eligibility based on our legislative and regulatory requirements and authority at that time.
My business was convicted of a Workplace Safety and Insurance Act or Occupational Health and Safety Act offence in 2024. How can I verify my eligibility to receive a surplus rebate?
Information about individual eligibility will be available in February 2025.
Can I appeal a WSIB decision regarding surplus rebates?
No. A business can’t appeal WSIB decisions regarding surplus rebates, as outlined in the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act. This includes decisions related to a business’s eligibility for a rebate or the amount of surplus funds rebated to a business or group of businesses.