What Claim Benefits You May Receive

WCB benefits explained: health care, expenses, and income support.

When a claim is accepted, the WCB will begin paying benefits and help you access services as outlined in the Workers’ Compensation Act of Nova Scotia. The information below will help you understand the benefits and services available.

Whether you are recovering from a physical injury or a psychological injury, the benefits you receive are the same.

Dealing with a long term injury? See Long-Term Benefits and Other Services.

Talk to your case worker

Your case worker has an important role to play in helping you understand what benefits you will receive. Make sure you talk with them. Your case worker will know what services and supports are available for your specific situation. They will also know what is not covered.

Replacing your lost income

Temporary Earnings Replacement Benefits (TERB) give you an income while you are:

  • Off work for a short period of time due to injury or illness, or
  • Recovering at work in a way that pays less than what you made before the injury (e.g. working reduced hours or in a different job)

It’s important to understand that TERB is a short-term benefit. It is only designed to help you maintain an income while recovering from an injury. If your employer starts paying you during your gradual return to work, TERB payments will be adjusted to reflect the money you are making from that work.

How much will you receive?

You receive 75% of your income after taxes, unless your income exceeds the maximum (more about this below).

Here’s an example for someone whose income is approximately $39,000.

  • First, your employer verifies your income from before the injury or illness. Then, we look at your net income. Net income means what you were paid after taxes, and other deductions like Canada Pension Plan (CPP), and Employment Insurance (EI) were taken off.

    In this example, your pay is $750/week minus federal and provincial income tax, CPP, and EI = $625 a week.  This is your net weekly income.

  • We multiply your net income by 75%. This is the amount of your TERB.

    E.g. $625 x 75% = $468.75 per week

In the unlikely event that you remain unable to work for more than 26 weeks, you’ll start to receive 85% of your pre-injury income after taxes.

  • E.g. $625 x 85% = $533.80 per week

What’s the maximum? This only applies to people whose gross income is more than $76,300, which is the maximum set for 2025.

For example, if you earn $80,000 a year before taxes, your workers’ compensation benefit is 75% of your net income, based on a gross income of $76,300. Find the maximum assessable rates for previous years.

What is the waiting period and why is your first payment less?

There is a 2 day waiting period which WCB does not cover. It equals two-fifths (2/5 or 40%) of your normal work week.

This is why your first TERB payment is less than future payments. It is reduced by 40%.

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

In this example, your first payment would be $283.25 and your next payment would be $468.75

If you are off work for more than 5 weeks, WCB will pay you back the waiting period amount ($185.50 in this example).

Payment Schedule

TERB is usually issued every 2 weeks while you remain eligible.

Medical coverage

In general, health care costs related to your workplace injury or illness will be covered by the WCB. Some services need approval by a WCB case worker:

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

Coverage for additional expenses

You 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 your case worker ahead of time. Learn more about WCB-covered expenses.

Survivor Benefits

If you’ve lost a family member to a workplace injury or illness, we're here to support you. Not only by providing financial assistance but also by helping you navigate this process with care and understanding. Learn about (survivor benefits and other supports) for spouses, children, and how a case manager will help guide you through the process.

Sign up for direct deposit

Go to WCB Online to sign up for direct deposit today. Have your claim number ready to create your account. It’s the fast, convenient, and secure way to be paid back for expenses or receive your TERB payments.

Learn about returning to work after an injury.

Last updated: 2025-11-04
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