In this issue:  

  • 2021 premium rates announced
  • COVID-19 information
  • New online services now available
  • Applications for our Small Business Health and Safety Leadership Awards close Oct. 5
  • Wondering about the safety record of a business?
  • Improving online services for the WSIB’s health care and service providers
  • Refreshed Appeals Services Division Practices and Procedures document
2021 premium rates announced
Yesterday, at our Annual General Meeting, we announced that all businesses will pay the same rate in 2021 that they paid in 2020. This means there will be no rate change for 2021 across all businesses.

Businesses that participated in our financial relief package will have until January 2021 before repayment of deferred amounts begins, and will have until June 30, 2021 to repay the deferred amounts, interest-free and without penalty.

We have also updated our approach for businesses that qualify for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program (CEWS). Businesses who are receiving a subsidy used to pay employees who are on leave and not working do not need to report the earnings received through the subsidy for those employees and are able to retroactively adjust insurable earnings reported from March 15, 2020 onwards. We will share more information for businesses that qualify for the CEWS exemption moving forward.

You can visit our website to learn more about how we’re helping reduce the financial burden on businesses during this time – including the addition of pandemic-readiness resources to our Health and Safety Excellence program.
COVID-19 information
While the nature of some people's work may put them at greater risk of contracting the virus, for example those treating someone with COVID-19, any claims received by the WSIB are adjudicated on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the facts and circumstances.

Visit our website for current information related to COVID-19, including guidance on when to file a claim for COVID-19 or to report exposure, financial relief for employers, information for health care providers, and frequently asked questions about claims and business accounts.
New online services now available 
We’re making it easier for people with claims to quickly access the information they need anytime. Our new online services allow people to check their claim status, latest payments and approved benefits. Users can also send us secure messages and upload documents straight to their claim file. Visit wsib.ca/myclaim for more information.
Applications for our Small Business Health and Safety Leadership Awards close Oct. 5
This year, our Small Business Health and Safety Leadership Awards recognize small businesses that prioritized health and safety measures during the pandemic, and went the extra mile to keep their employees and customers safe.

Apply now for your chance to be the recipient of one of our awards. The top three businesses will receive a monetary prize and recognition at a ceremony in November:
 
  • Gold – $5,000
  • Silver – $3,000
  • Bronze – $2,000


Hurry, applications are due by October 5. Help us spread the word as we shine a light on outstanding small businesses. 
Wondering about the safety record of a business?
Our Safety Check feature makes it easier to check the safety record of businesses across Ontario. You can find out how safe a business is and compare health and safety results of similar businesses.

You can: 
  • See the number and types of injuries in any workplace
  • Understand how serious those injuries are by seeing how many people are still receiving benefits a year after an accident
  • Find out if a business has joined our new Health and Safety Excellence program
Improving online services for the WSIB’s health care and service providers
If you are one of the many health care and service providers who currently bill us electronically through the TELUS Health Provider Portal, we want you to know that we are upgrading our billing and registration systems. Starting this fall you’ll notice some upgrades in the portal. The upgrades will give providers more options for how they bill us and make it easier to get direct payment. Look for email updates from TELUS Health for more details and information. 
Refreshed Appeals Services Division Practices and Procedures document
A refreshed version of the Appeals Practices and Procedures document is now available on the WSIB website. We’ve made improvements to the document to make it easier for you to find the information you need about objecting to a decision about a WSIB claim or account, and how to navigate the appeal process. 
"What's New" - a newsletter by the Ministry of Labour

Stay updated on current news from the Ministry of Labour by subscribing to What's New. Delivered monthly to your inbox, this newsletter features the latest on occupational health and safety, employment standards and labour relations that could affect you and your workplace.
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) is here to help. When an injury or illness happens on the job, we move quickly to provide wage-loss benefits, medical coverage and support to help people get back to work. Funded by businesses, we also provide no-fault collective liability insurance and access to industry-specific health and safety information. We are one of the largest insurance organizations in North America covering over five million people in more than 300,000 workplaces across Ontario.
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