Operational Policy and Employer Classification Manual Changes
The Benefits and Revenue Policy Branch is pleased announce several policy changes, effective January 1, 2006.
Operation Policy Changes January 1, 2006
Employer Classification Manual Changes
Annual Rate Review
Rate Increases:
| Rate | 2005 | 2006 |
| Transportation Allowance | $0.34/km | $0.37/km |
| Meal Allowance | $45.00 per diem | $47.00 per diem |
| Personal Care Allowance/General Rate | $7.45/hr | $7.75/hr |
| Non-Professional Escort Fee | $59.60/day | $62.00/day |
Allowances for Severely Impaired Workers:
| Rate | 2005 | 2006 |
| Independent Living Allowance | $3,250.61/yr | $3,335.13/yr |
| Personal Care Allowance/Skilled Rate | $17.52/hr | $17.98/hr |
| Personal Care Allowance/Personal Rate | $10.95/hr | $11.23/hr |
| Guide & Support Dog Allowance | $880.55/yr | $903.44/yr |
No Increase
| Rate | 2005 | 2006 |
| Clothing Allowance maximum | $255.55 maximum | $255.55 (minor damage) |
| Clothing Allowance (major damage) | $511.12 maximum | $511.12 maximum |
| Witness Fees (Professional) | Full day: $600.00
Half day: $300.00 | Full day: $600.00
Half day: $300.00 |
Witness Fees
(Non-Professional) | Full day: up to $110.96
Half day: up to $55.48 | Full day: up to $110.96
Half day: up to $55.48 |
| Bookkeeping Fee | $720.00 annually | $720.00 annually |
For more information, see the Revised Policy 18-01-05 Table of Rates
LMR Expenses, Elimination of a Set Room and Board Rate
The WSIB has revised the Labour Market Re-entry (LMR) expenses policy to adopt guidelines that set out what reasonable expenses may be accepted in cases where a worker has to temporarily reside away from home while cooperating in a LMR plan. The revised policy will assist decision-makers to determine what reasonable expenses should be accepted in each case. With this move, the WSIB determined that room and board would be removed from the Table of Rates.
With the elimination of the Room and Board rate from the Table of Rates, the LMR Expenses policy was revised to adopt guidelines to assist decision-makers when determining what reasonable expenses should be accepted in each case. The LMR Protocols Committee has endorsed the guidelines.
For more information, see the Revised Policy 19-03-06 LMR Expenses.
Clothing allowance
The WSIB has approved the reclassification of back supports/corsets as devices that may cause major damage to clothing. As a result, workers who qualify for a clothing allowance for the use of this device will be entitled to the major clothing allowance benefit, up to a maximum of $511.12 per year.
For more information:
Reclassification of soft back supports/corsets: Questions and Answers (68k, pdf)
Revised Policy 17-07-03 Clothing Allowances
Volunteer Firefighters
WSIB has made policy revisions that aim to ensure fairness to all firefighters by amending the definitions of 'volunteer firefighters' and 'full-time and part-time firefighters so that all volunteer firefighters are insured on the same basis (at the level selected by their municipality), whether or not they are unionized.
For more information, see the Revised Policies:
12-04-02 Volunteer Forces, and
14-02-11 Insurable Earnings -- Volunteer Forces
NEER (New Experimental Experience Rating) – effective date January 1, 2006
Changes to the NEER policy will help support employers in demonstrating positive health and safety and return to work outcomes through upward adjustments to the firm cost limit and claim cost limit.
For more information, see the Revised Policy 13-02-02 NEER (New Experimental Experience Rating Plan)
CAD-7 experience rating programs -- effective date January 1, 2007
Changes to the CAD-7 experience rating policy will support employers in demonstrating positive health and safety and return to work outcomes through amendments to the rating factor modifier, the range of the cost and frequency indices, and the performance index cost and frequency weightings.
For more information, see the 13-02-06 Construction Industry Plan (CAD 7)
Employer Premium Adjustments
The policy clarifies administrative and procedural issues in terms of what premium adjustments can be made, when they can be made, notification about adjustments and exception rules to the policy.
For more information, see the Revised Policy 14-02-06 Employer Premium Adjustments
Employer Classification Manual Changes
Supply of Labour exception for construction
WSIB has made policy revisions which aim to level the playing field for employers by clarifying the rules and transferring supply of labour activities from RG 723 to RG 764.
Non-structural Demolition
WSIB has made policy revisions which aim to level the playing field for employers by clarifying the rules and transferring non-structural demolition business activities to RG 748.
Spas
The amendments clarify and confirm that health and beauty spa business activities, as well as other business activities located within hotels, motels, tourist courts, etc. that are operated by the same employer are classified in RG 921: Hotels, Motels and Camping, and confirms that business activities providing short-term accommodation to the public, and are operated by the establishment, are not classified separately.
Aircraft manufacturing and aircraft servicing
WSIB has clarified that firms that manufacture aircraft, and aircraft and aerospace parts and equipment, and the business activities of maintaining, servicing or repairing any of the products they manufacture belong under D-417-01.
Construction underground in mines
The WSIB has clarified the classification rules for construction business activities carried out underground in mines and identified the exception of those which include special operations. |
| | |
