Benefits for Workers After Injury

As an employer, it’s important to understand what benefits your worker may receive when a claim is approved. You play a key role in making sure they get the right support—by reporting the injury, providing accurate payroll information, and working with WCB on their recovery and return to work. This information helps employers understand worker benefits. If you’re a worker, find information about your claim benefits on this page

Whether a worker is recovering from a physical injury or a psychological injury, the benefits they receive are the same.

This information is about short-term benefits. For long-term injury benefits, see Long-Term Benefits and Other Services.

Talk to the case worker

Each injured worker is assigned a WCB case worker. They can explain what services are covered, what’s not, and how to access supports. Encourage your worker to stay in touch—and connect yourself when employer input is needed.

Income compensation benefits: TERB

If the worker can’t work—or works reduced hours—WCB may provide Temporary Earnings Replacement Benefits (TERB).

How TERB is calculated

  • Generally 75% of net pre-injury income (after taxes, CPP, EI)
  • If the worker remains unable to work beyond 26 weeks, rate increases to 85% of net

Your role

  • If the worker is on partial hours, you pay for any hours worked—WCB typically pays the difference
  • Coordinate gradual return to work—TERB payments adjust as the worker's income returns to what it was before they were hurt

What is the waiting period?

There is a short waiting period from the time of injury during which WCB does not provide benefit coverage. It equals two-fifths (2/5) of the worker’s normal work week.

This is why the first TERB payment is reduced by 40%.

  • Example: if the TERB is $468.75/week, then 40% (2/5) is deducted.
  • $468.75 – $185.50 = $283.25 for the first payment.

If the worker is off work more than 5 weeks, WCB reimburses the waiting period amount ($185.50 in this example).

Payment Schedule

TERB is usually issued every 2 weeks while eligible.

Coverage for additional expenses

The worker may have expenses when recovering from a workplace injury, such as:

  • Prescriptions
  • Equipment (crutches, wheelchairs)
  • Travel costs to and from medical appointments

WCB may cover some of these costs—but they must be approved by the case worker ahead of time. Learn more about WCB-covered expenses.

Medical coverage

WCB may cover health care services related to a workplace injury. Workers can often access an assessment right away with a WCB-approved physiotherapist or chiropractor—even before a claim is formally approved.

Covered service providers may include:

  • Physiotherapists
  • Chiropractors
  • Physicians
  • Psychologists
  • Dentists
  • Counsellors
  • Social workers

Case conferences

For more complex claims, WCB may arrange a case conference with you, the worker, and the health-care provider to align recovery and return-to-work planning.

Your responsibilities at a glance

  • Report the injury promptly via MyAccount
  • Plan early for return to work with transitional or modified duties
  • Provide payroll details so income benefits can be determined
  • Support health care access and share work ability information
Last updated: 2025-10-06
employers injury reporting and claims short-term benefits