(Updated Apr. 5)
Get practical, updated answers at Steps to Justice/covid-19 (Community Legal Education Ontario) to the important questions that people are asking about the law relating to the COVID-19 situation. Find the latest news about changes to government programs and court services. Topics include Employment and Work, Tribunals and Courts, Housing Law, Family Law, Immigration and Refugees. Live Chat also available.
*Please get legal advice for your specific situation. To find a community legal clinic near you, visit https://www.legalaid.on.ca/services/legal-clinics/
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
To help protect people from the spread of COVID-19, the WSIB has made the decision to close offices to the public. There are other ways you can reach them for help: Phone 1-800-387-0750, Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (be prepared for longer wait times) or use online services, and upload claim-related information online.
“We are continuing to pay all wage-loss benefits and we have ensured all Loss of Earning (LOE) benefits are up to date. We also have staff in place to help manage any new claims as quickly as possible… ” [see full notice at https://www.wsib.ca/en/novel-coronavirus-covid-19-update]
Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal
Mar. 24 WSIAT update:
In order to support the province-wide effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, the WSIAT has made the decision to cancel all in-person hearings until April 17, 2020.
In addition, effective March 30, 2020 to April 14, 2020, the WSIAT is also suspending all on-site services to safeguard the health and well-being of staff and stakeholders….
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 WSIATCallCentre@wst.gov.on.ca. Please note that this email address is for general inquiries only – do not submit case-related information to this email address. To protect private confidential information, the WSIAT will not respond to case-related messages sent to this email address and emails with case-related information will be deleted.
Updates about the WSIAT’s operations will continue to be posted to its website – please check regularly for the most recent information.
Other resources
Actions and responses to COVID-19 (Broadbent Institute). Regularly updated list of organizing and advocacy efforts happening across the country, including a guide to applying for benefits from the federal government