Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
Most people return to their original job after a workplace injury. Helping you get back to that job is always our first goal.
Very rarely, returning to your original job is unfortunately not possible. In those cases, we need to support you in exploring other paths back to work.
Vocational rehabilitation (VR) helps you prepare for and find new work that fits your skills, interests, and abilities. It may involve new training, courses, and other types of learning to help you prepare for work that you can safely do.
Returning to work after an injury is the best outcome for everyone. Work is an important part of your overall health, from physical and mental health, to financial and social health. It's good for all of us, our families, and our communities.
Moving toward new work is a big change, but you won’t do it alone. Your WCB case manager and VR team will support you at every step.
We’re here to help you build the skills and confidence to find work that fits your abilities.
VR does not guarantee a job, but it provides programs and support to help you prepare for suitable work that’s available.
If you are receiving treatment, the treatment can continue while you take part in vocational rehabilitation.
We are here to support you
If you have questions about VR, your case manager is there to answer them for you. Feel free to reach out at any time.
On this page you will find:
- When VR is the next step
- Does VR apply to me?
- Exploring options
- What happens to benefits when VR ends
- How vocational rehabilitation works
- Your role in vocational rehabilitation
- Your vocational rehabilitation team
- Your VR plan program
- Frequently asked questions
When VR is the next step
We consider VR when:
- Your injury will likely stop you from going back to your previous job
- Your employer can’t offer you other suitable work you’re able to do
Vocational rehabilitation can start as soon as it’s clear that returning to your pre-injury job is not possible. For some people, this may be about 5 months after injury. For others, it may take longer.
We also help people begin VR years after injury. It’s almost never too late to work toward returning to work.
If we decide VR is your best path back to work, you need to take part and do your best to follow the plan. This is part of your duty to cooperate, just like it’s your employer’s responsibility to offer suitable work whenever possible.
Your temporary earnings replacement benefits continue during VR. When your plan ends, those benefits stop, even if you haven’t found a job yet.
If the work you are now able to do pays less than what you earned before your injury, you may qualify for extended earnings replacement benefits to help make up part of the difference.
I have been away from work for a long time. Does VR apply to me?
Very possibly. VR can help you prepare for and find new work, even if you’ve been away for a long time. If you cannot return to your old job or type of work, we can help you explore other options to get you back in the workforce.
VR can start at any point, including when we review your Extended Earnings Replacement Benefit (EERB).
Exploring options with your current employer comes first
Before your VR journey begins, we explore whether you can return to work with the employer you had when you were injured. We consider these options in order:
- Returning to your previous job
- A similar job with your employer
- A different job with your employer
- A job with a new employer
Starting VR doesn’t end your connection with your pre-injury employer. Some employers have a legal duty to offer you work again. If they offer you suitable work during your plan, your plan may change, and you may need to accept the job.
You know your workplace and the jobs there best. If you see a job with your employer that could work for you, let us know. We’ll explore it with you, as well as any other suitable jobs that become available during your plan.
What happens to your benefits when VR ends
When your VR plan ends, your temporary earnings replacement benefits stop.
We’ll send you a letter confirming this and explaining whether you qualify for extended earnings replacement benefits. You may qualify if the work you are now able to do pays less than what you earned before.
Already receiving extended earnings replacement benefits?
If you started VR while receiving extended benefits, we’ll review them when your plan ends.
What happens depends on what you are able to earn:
- Your benefits may stop if you can earn as much as or more than you earned before your injury
- Your benefits may continue at a lower amount if you can earn some income, but less than before your injury. Your benefits help make up part of the difference
How vocational rehabilitation works
Your case manager will explain VR, answer your questions, and talk with you about your work history, skills, and education.
Lifemark, WCB’s vocational rehabilitation service provider, will work with you to explore your options. This stage is called VR Exploration. To get started, we share information about your abilities and work history with Lifemark.
You will then work with a VR specialist from Lifemark for up to 7 weeks to explore your skills, experience, interests, and abilities.
Your VR specialist prepares a report for you with up to 3 job options. Each one fits your skills, interests, and abilities — and is based on jobs that are available. You’ll get a copy to keep.
You and your case manager will talk through the options together to choose your VR goal. Your goal needs to be work that’s safe for you and pays as close as possible to what you earned before your injury. Your case manager makes sure your goal meets these requirements.
Your case manager will create your plan, that includes your goal and the program that will best help you reach it. The plan will be based on all the discussions you’ve had during your VR Exploration. It will focus on finding work that is safe for your abilities and will offer the best wage earnings for your situation.
Your plan includes:
- Your VR goal
- Each phase of your plan, with dates
- Who will provide your training or support
- The costs WCB will cover
- What you, your case manager, and your providers will do
- How often you will check in with your case manager
Your case manager will go over the plan with you before you both sign it. You can ask about anything that is not clear.
You will work through each phase of your plan, such as courses, training, school, or a job search. Along the way, you will:
- Stay in touch with your case manager on the schedule in your plan
- Tell your case manager right away about any problems or job offers that arise — they will respond within 2 business days
If your plan includes a job search
You’ll have up to 10 weeks to look for work. Each week, you’ll share a record of what you did to find work, like jobs you applied for and interviews you attended. After 4 weeks, you’ll meet with your case manager to see how it’s going.
If you haven’t found a job by the end of your job search, your plan ends and your temporary benefits stop. We’ll send you a letter explaining whether you qualify for extended benefits.
Your plan ends when you start a new job or the job search period of your plan is over. Your temporary earnings replacement benefits end at the same time.
WCB will send you a letter confirming your plan has ended. You will also get a decision on whether you qualify for extended earnings replacement benefits.
Learn more about what happens to your benefits after VR has ended.
Your role in vocational rehabilitation
You’ll choose your goal from the options in your report, then work toward it. Your input helps shape your plan, and your effort helps put it into action.
That includes:
- Attending meetings, appointments, assessments, and classes
- Staying in contact with your case manager
- Making a full effort in all parts of your plan
- Applying for jobs during your job search
- Letting your case manager know right away about anything that could affect your plan
If you’re having trouble taking part, contact your case manager as soon as possible. They’ll work with you to solve the problem and help you move forward.
Your vocational rehabilitation team
You are at the centre of your VR team. Each person on your team has a role in supporting you in helping you set and reach your VR goal.
- Your WCB case manager works with you through every step of the VR process. They approve the services in your plan, check on your progress, and help you work through any problems.
- Your VR specialist works for Lifemark, WCB’s VR service provider. They help you explore work options that fit you — and may support you during training and your job search.
- Your employer continues to look for ways you could return to work with them.
- Your training providers help you build the skills in your plan. They may include a school, a training program, or an employer providing on-the-job training.
- Your health care providers continue to support your recovery. You can continue treatment while taking part in VR.
Your VR plan program
Your program path is based on what is learned during your VR Exploration.
Your plan will follow one of these programs:
This program is for workers who already have the skills for their goal. You’ll take a job search preparation course with Lifemark. This course will teach you how to access the job market, build your resume, and practice for interviews. Then you’ll have up to 10 weeks to look for work on your own, or with daily support from Lifemark.
You learn new skills with an employer named in your plan. Your benefits continue. The employer may offer you a job at the end, but is not required to.
You learn new skills with your pre-injury employer. Your benefits continue. Your employer provides a job when you successfully finish training.
An employer hires you, pays your wages, and provides training to help you learn the skills you need for the job. WCB can help the employer cover part of your wages, equipment needed to help you do the job, or both.
This support lasts 12 or 24 weeks, with the goal of helping you stay in the job after the program ends.
You learn new skills through school or a training program, such as a certificate, diploma, degree, Red Seal apprenticeship, academic upgrading, or high school equivalency.
Your benefits continue. If you’re an apprentice, your employer pays your wages. WCB may provide additional wage support depending on the situation.
Depending on your plan, support may include:
- Building new skills, including basic computer skills
- Preparing your resume and cover letters
- Practicing for interviews
- Job search support
- Retraining, in some cases
WCB covers approved costs included in your plan that support you in your retraining. These may include tuition, books, tools, travel, relocation allowances, or equipment. Your written plan will explain what’s covered.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The Workers’ Compensation Act requires workers to cooperate in VR. If something makes it hard for you to take part, talk with your case manager as soon as possible.
Yes. Your treatment and VR can happen at the same time.
In most cases, your earnings replacement benefits continue while you take part in vocational rehabilitation. If you’re hired through the Employer Incentive Program, your employer pays your wages instead.
Your case manager can explain how your benefits apply to your plan.
We’re here to help you build the skills and confidence to find work that fits your abilities. VR does not guarantee a job, but it provides programs and support to help you prepare for suitable work that’s available.
Yes. Your VR specialist will review the report with you and give you a copy.
Contact your case manager right away if something changes that could affect your plan or your goal. They can review your plan and adjust it if needed.
The exploration stage takes up to 7 weeks. During this step, you are focused on exploring ideas for new skills, experience, interests, and abilities. After that, the length of your plan depends on your goal and the support you need to get there. A job search lasts up to 10 weeks. Training may take longer.
Have more questions?
Your case manager can answer your questions about VR, explain your options, and help you understand what comes next.
Send a secure message through WCB Online or contact us.