Glossary and Acronyms

Adjudication
Annuity
Attendant Allowance
AWCBC
Chronic Pain
Date of Earnings Loss
EERB 
ERB 
HAC
ESDC
OH&S
PDPP
PIB
PRI
SPAC
TERB
VR
WAP
WCAT

View the WCB Policy Manual »

To help you understand the terminology used throughout your claims process, we’ve developed a list of terms that are based on their accepted interpretation with respect to the Workers’ Compensation Act. 

Adjudication

The process of determining a worker’s initial eligibility for an ongoing entitlement to compensation in accordance with the act.

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Annuity

An accumulating benefit created by reserving 5% of the Extended Earnings Benefit (EERB) and the Permanent Impairment Benefit (PIB) payable to a worker or 5% of any survivor pension payable to a surviving spouse. Plus any interest accumulated on the amounts reserved. An annuity generally becomes payable at age 65 and may be payable as a lump sum if the amount payable is less than an amount prescribed by regulation.

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Attendant Allowance

An attendant allowance is intended to assist workers regarding mobility, health care, and any in-home treatment for the compensable condition. This allowance is usually, but not always, limited to those workers who have suffered a 100% permanent medical impairment.

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AWCBC

Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada

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Chronic Pain

Pain which continues beyond the normal recovery time for the type of compensable injury or which is disproportionate to the type of compensable injury. Does not include pain supported by significant objective physical findings.

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Date of Earnings Loss

The day the employer stops reimbursing the injured worker for employment, as a result of the compensable injury.

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EERB

Extended Earnings Replacement Benefit - A long term periodic benefit paid to a worker who has a permanent medical impairment and is suffering a loss of earnings as a result of a compensable injury which is in excess of the Permanent Impairment Benefit payable as a result of that injury. If a worker’s financial loss is greater than their PIB, it is based on the difference between the worker’s earnings and ability to earn after the accident. It is paid out in a lump sum at 65.

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ERB

Earning Replacement Benefit - A periodic benefit paid to a worker who experiences a loss of earnings as a result of a compensable injury.

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HAC

Heads of Agencies Committees

ESDC

Employment and Social Development Canada

OH&S

Occupational Health and Safety

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PDPP

Pain Disability Prevention Program

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PIB

Permanent Impairment Benefit -Payable to a worker who has suffered a permanent medical impairment as the result of a compensable injury, payable for the lifetime of the worker.

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PRI

Pain Related Impairment. May be given if found to have Chronic Pain.

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SPAC

System Performance Advisory Committee. Stakeholders - Groups or individuals who have an interest in the workers’ compensation system. Stakeholders include injured workers, employers, labour organizations, injured workers’ associations, employer associations, the medical community, the educational system, and health care service providers.

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TERB

Temporary Earnings Replacement Benefits. Usually paid every 2 weeks as long as the worker is medically unable to return to work. For the first 26 weeks after the injury occurs, the TERB will be 75% of the net earnings loss. After 26 weeks, the TERB increases to 85% of the net earnings loss.

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VR

Vocational Rehabilitation. Generally, any effort by the Board to assist an injured worker in returning to the workplace. Examples of these would be: assessment of a worker’s functional abilities and/or limitations, work hardening, job search preparation, on the job training, formal retraining, and the employment incentives program.

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WAP

Workers’ Advisors Program. A program by the Department of Labour that provides legal advice and representation, free of charge, to workers who wish to appeal a decision of the Board and who satisfy the eligibility criteria set out in the WAP Eligibility Regulations; preceded, under the former Act, by the Worker’s Counselor Program.

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WCAT

Workers’ Compensation Appeals Tribunal. An independent agency that hears appeals of WCB final decisions. If a worker or an employer does not agree with a decision of a Hearing Officer, that decision may be appealed to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Tribunal, which is an independent agency that hears appeals of WCB final decisions. WCAT will report to the Minster of Justice, and is separate from the WCB. An appeal to WCAT must be filed within 30 days of being notified of the Hearing Officer’s decision.

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For a detailed and comprehensive list of terms and acronyms, please consult the Glossary of the WCB Policy Manual.