Regularly updated information and selected resources for injured workers on claims and appeals handling, employment rights, government programs and services, and campaigns to ensure injured workers receive their just support.
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board COVID-19 updates
The WSIB’s offices are closed to the public for safety because of COVID-19 but can be reached in other ways 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 their 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. . ” [see Frequently asked questions on claims and information on services and COVID-19 claims statistics at WSIB Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) Update]
Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal COVID-19 updates
WSIAT has cancelled all in-person hearings until further notice. Where feasible, alternative hearing options, such as written, video conference and telephone hearings, will be considered.
In addition, the WSIAT is suspending all on-site services. Limitation periods have been suspended for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency, retroactive to March 16, 2020. Procedural time periods have also been suspended, subject to the discretion of the court or tribunal. During the pandemic, effective June 8, 2020 all scheduled in-person Tribunal hearings will be converted to teleconference hearings unless the Tribunal is satisfied an alternative hearing format is appropriate. See Adjudication Update and Best Practices (June 1, 2020) and For additional information on contacting the Tribunal see WSIAT Operations Update.
Prevention Link. COVID-19: What you need to know Fact sheets on Workers’ compensation and exposure reporting, your reporting rights & responsibilities; mental health resources. See also Prevention Link video Workers’ Compensation & Covid-19 [Youtube, 11 mins]
Scarborough Community Legal Services. COVID-19 outbreak: your rights at work.
Goldblatt Partners. COVID-19 legal resource page. Employee rights and benefits.
Other resources:
Programs and services
- Government of Ontario. COVID-19: Support for workers and COVID-19 (provincial updates – main page)
- Government of Canada. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Portal to to latest news, health information, programs & supports
Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO). Steps to Justice/Covid-19 . Practical, updated information on the law relating to COVID-19, legal services, supports, changes to government programs. 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/ )- CBC. Financial help for Canadians affected by COVID-19 : Find the benefits relevant to you (interactive)
- 211 Ontario. How to access help during COVID-19 – find government & community services in your area
- Toronto & York Region Labour Council. COVID-19 help for individuals
- Ontario Human Rights Commission. COVID-19 and Ontario’s Human Rights Code – Questions & Answers (Mar. 18, 2020)
Worker safety & mental health
- Workers’ Health & Safety Legal Clinic. Frequently asked COVID-19 health and safety questions
- Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Pandemic COVID-19 tip sheets
- WorkSafe Saskatchewan. Managing your mental health through COVID-19: tools to help you cope.
- CAMH. Mental health and the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Public Health Ontario. COVID-19 in Ontario: epidemiologic summary
Community action
- Workers Comp Is A Right Campaign. Tell Doug Ford and the WSIB – Injured workers need COVID-19 relief now! (send your letter)
- Income Security Advocacy Centre. Open letter addressing protections for injured workers during COVID-19. (Jun. 4, 2020)
- Justice for Migrant Workers. Open letter to Workplace Safety Insurance Board regarding COVID19, workers compensation and migrant farm workers (Ontario). Harvesting Freedom (Apr. 17, 2020)
- Injured Workers Community Legal Clinic. Letter re WSIB response to COVID-19 pandemic. (Apr. 14, 2020)
- Toronto Star. “Province urged to make workers’ compensation automatic for essential employees diagnosed with COVID-19”. (Apr. 6, 2020).
- Ontario Network of Injured Workers Groups. Letter to the WSIB President on COVID-19 impact on injured workers (Mar. 24, 2020)
- ARCH Disability Law Centre. Open letter on Ontario’s triage COVID-19 protocol (Apr. 8, 2020); COVID-19 and disability: recommendations to the Canadian government from disability organizations (Mar. 24, 2020)
- Broadbent Institute. Resources and responses to COVID-19 (regularly updated). Resource and sharing centre for those wanting to advocate for better worker and community protections and support