The WSIB and WSIAT are operating at a limited capacity at present due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some brief updates about WSIB and WSIAT operations during the pandemic.
WSIB FINANCIAL RELIEF PACKAGE
WISB has announced a financial relief package worth up to $1.9 billion to help Ontario businesses reduce the financial burden of the COVID-19 situation. This package was developed in consultation with the Government of Ontario and all businesses covered by WSIB’s workplace insurance are automatically eligible.
HOW THE FINANCIAL RELIEF PACKAGE WORKS
The financial relief package allows businesses to defer premium reporting and payments until August 31, 2020. Businesses who report and pay monthly, quarterly or annually based on their insurable earnings are eligible for this deferral.
The relief package also applies to Schedule 2 organizations – All payment obligations (weekly and monthly) for Schedule 2 businesses will be deferred until August 31, 2020.
No interest will accrue on outstanding premium payments and no penalties will be charged during this six-month deferral period.
RECEIVING FINANCIAL RELIEF
All Ontario businesses covered by WSIB’s workplace insurance are automatically eligible to receive relief. You do not need to apply for deferment of your premium payments or take any further action to receive relief.
You can choose to continue to report and pay on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. You can also report now and defer payment until later.
WSIB is continuing to work on processes related to the financial relief package and will update our website with more information as it becomes available. For more details visit wsib.ca.
LIMITATION PERIODS
The Ontario Government has suspended normal limitation periods. Normally there is a requirement to object to WSIB decisions dealing with RTW issues within 30 days and most other WSIB decisions within six months of the date of the decision. This will not allow workers or employers to object to decisions where the limitation period expired long ago but will extend the time frame for objections on recent decisions.
INVOICE HEALTH CARE IDENTIFIERS
The WSIB continues to send out Schedule 2 invoices electronically and by mail. These will now include 31 health care identifiers..
Please note, these health care identifiers and corresponding codes were updated in January making the list of identifiers and codes we received at the November 13, 2019 bi-monthly meeting obsolete.
Here is a current list of the 31 health care identifiers: Improvements to Your Invoices
INVOICE PAYMENTS
Presently, Schedule 2 invoice payments may only be made by cheque and the WSIB asks that those payments be made to the following address:
WSIB
PO Box 4115, Station A
Toronto ON
M5W 2V3
The WSIB has asked for patience as there may be a lag in processing payments. The Schedule 2 Employer’s Group’s Executive Committee has requested that the WSIB would provide a lower interest rate or interest relief on delayed payments. The WSIB has confirmed that there will be no interest charged on late payments between now and August 31, 2020.
The WSIB will continue to mail out decisions, form letters and information requests to employers and workers. The WSIB is aware that in many cases mail is being held by Canada Post and with many businesses not operating normally this post may not be opened for weeks. The WSIB does not have the ability to fax or email all of their regular mail. However, if you have an urgent claim issue, the WSIB may be able to fax some correspondence upon request.
WSIAT
WSIAT has cancelled all in-person hearings and mediations until April 17, 2020. Additionally, effective March 30, 2020 to April 14, 2020, WSIAT is also suspending all on-site services including the Ontario Workplace Tribunals Library and the WSIAT mail room. They request that you do not send mail, courier or faxes to the Tribunal, or attend at the WSIAT’s offices in Toronto or Hamilton.
Individuals can make general inquiries about the WSIAT’s operations by calling the WSIAT Call Centre at 416-314-8800 or 1-888-618-8846 or sending an email to [email protected]