Date of distribution: Jan. 7, 2020
TRANSMITTAL SHEET
No: 01 – 2020
Jan. 7, 2020
WHAT'S CHANGED (Please read the policy documents for complete information).
Please note that policy changes since the last issue are indicated by shaded text or shading in the left margin.
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Retirement Lump Sum Benefit
We have corrected a policy error regarding the retirement lump sum benefit paid to workers who regain their pre-accident earning capacity before reaching retirement age.
Policy 04-04, Part II, Application 3, Question 18, incorrectly stated that one of the eligibility requirements was a minimum of 2 continuous years of ELP or TEL benefits. The correct eligibility requirement, as indicated in s.60.1(4) of the WCA, is that the worker has “been in receipt of periodic compensation continuously for a period of at least 2 years.” Periodic compensation includes both temporary and permanent disability wage loss benefits.
Policy 04-04, Part II, Application 3, Question 18, has been revised to reflect the correct eligibility requirements and Policy 04-02, Part II, Application 1, has been updated by adding a new Question 14, explaining the benefit. The effective date for both policy applications is January 1, 2018, which is the date that s.60.1(4) came into effect.
The benefit applies to workers with claims with a date of accident on or after January 1, 2018, which means no cases will reach the required 24 months of continuous periodic compensation until January 1, 2020. No workers were adversely affected by the policy error.
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Policy 04-02, Part II, Addendum A—Allowance Rates
There were no changes to the amounts as a result of the annual review; therefore, the document is not included in the “Complete list of changed documents,” below.
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Policy 04-07, Addendum A—Maximum Clothing Allowances
The clothing allowance amounts for all six categories have been increased effective January 1, 2020, in accordance with the formula approved by the Board of Directors.
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2020 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)
A number of policies have been revised to reflect the 1.78 per cent COLA that is effective January 1, 2020. These policies are 04-01—Addendum B, 04-04—Addendum A, 04-07—Addenda A and B, 04-08—Addenda A and B, 04-10—Addendum A, and Appendix F.
Note: The maximum allowable amount for burial, cremation, and memorial expenses (Policy 04-08, Addendum A) has also increased effective January 1, 2020, using the methodology approved by the Board of Directors.
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2020 Compensation Tables (Appendix E)
Complete list of changed documents
| Document | Old (remove) | New |
|---|---|---|
| 04-01, Establishing Net Earnings | Part II, Addendum B | Policy 04-01, Part II, Addendum B (issue date Jan. 7, 2020) |
| 04-02, Temporary Benefits | Part II, Application 1 | Policy 04-02, Part II, Application 1 (issue date Jan. 7, 2020) |
| 04-04, Permanent Disability | Part II, Application 3 | Policy 04-04, Part II, Application 3 (issue date Jan. 7, 2020) |
| Part II, Addendum A | Policy 04-04, Part II, Addendum A (issue date Jan. 7, 2020) |
|
| 04-07, Services for Workers with Severe Injuries | Part II, Addendum A | Policy 04-07, Part II, Addendum A (issue date Jan. 7, 2020) |
| Part II, Addendum B | Policy 04-07, Part II, Addendum B (issue date Jan. 7, 2020) |
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| 04-08, Fatalities | Part II, Addendum A | Policy 04-08, Part II, Addendum A (issue date Jan. 7, 2020) |
| Part II, Addendum B | Policy 04-08, Part II, Addendum B (issue date Jan. 7, 2020) |
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| 04-10, Other Home Services | Part II, Addendum A | Policy 04-10, Part II, Addendum A (issue date Jan. 7, 2020) |
| Appendix E, Compensation Tables | Entire Document | 2020 Compensation Tables: For accidents on or after April 1, 2003 For accidents on or before March 31, 2003 (issue date Jan. 7, 2020) |
| Appendix F, Minimum Permanent Disability Awards & Dependants’ Pensions, with Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA), Minimum Personal Coverage, Maximum Annual Assessable Earnings & Maximum Annual Compensable Earnings | Entire Document | Appendix F (issue date Jan. 7, 2020) |
