Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) update

To help protect people from the spread of COVID-19, our offices are closed to the public.  

Helping you

We have staff in place to help manage any new claims as quickly as possible and have ensured all loss-of-earnings (LOE) benefits are up to date. Staff are also working to help support you with your return to work and recovery. 

We understand that appointments for treatment or an assessment may be cancelled, postponed to a later date, or a virtual option may be available. If you have a scheduled appointment, we suggest you call ahead to confirm or determine if a virtual option is available. 

If your workplace shuts down temporarily, you will continue to receive the same benefits that you were receiving at the time of the shutdown until you have recovered from your injury or illness or your employer reopens and has work that is safe and suitable for you.  

See our FAQs on claim-related questions.

WSIB financial relief package

We are offering a financial relief package to all Ontario businesses to help reduce the financial burden of the COVID-19 situation. Developed in consultation with the Government of Ontario, the package is worth up to $1.9 billion and all businesses covered by our workplace insurance are automatically eligible.

Our relief package will support businesses through this difficult time while protecting coverage for the people we serve. Benefit payments will continue for people with work related injuries or illness.

Also, we have determined that costs associated with COVID-19 related claims will not be allocated at an employer or class level. Instead, they will be allocated on a Schedule-wide basis and there will be no change in premium rates for 2020. 

Learn more about our financial relief package for Ontario businesses.

Workplaces

While the nature of some people's work may put them at greater risk of contracting the virus, for example those treating someone with COVID-19, any claims received by the WSIB will need to be adjudicated on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the facts and circumstances.

Read more about how we make decisions about COVID-19 claims (PDF), 

We all have a role to play in reducing the spread of infection. Measures developed for managing influenza outbreaks continue to be recommended by public health officials including: 

  • practice physical distancing as much as possible 
  • wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds 
  • cough or sneeze into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand, and wash hands afterward 
  • avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands 
  • clean high-touch surfaces frequently 

Further information on preparing workplaces for COVID-19  (PDF)  is available from the WHO. 

The WSIB continues to actively monitor the guidance of provincial and national health authorities, including the  Ontario Ministry of Health and the  Public Health Agency of Canada, with regard to COVID-19.

Reaching us

While our offices are closed to the public and it is taking longer than usual for the mail we receive to be processed, these are the best ways to reach us:

Phone: You can call us at 1-800-387-0750, Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please be prepared for the possibility of longer wait times. 

Online: You can use our online services, and upload claim-related information online. Our online services are the quickest way to send us information. 

If you know your claim number, you can upload your documents online, including photos or scanned copies of receipts and other documents. If you have a new claim or don't know your claim number, please fax your documents to 416-344-4684 or 1-888-313-7373.

We'll continue to monitor and follow the guidance of provincial and national health authorities to ensure we are able to protect the health and safety of our employees and continue to serve the people of Ontario. 

Business accounts

We are prioritizing calls about health care and wage-loss benefits. As a result, wait times for account related inquiries will be longer than usual.

The best way to manage your account is through our online services or email us at employeraccounts@wsib.on.ca. If you need urgent assistance with your account, please call us at 1-800-387-0750, Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

See our FAQs on getting in touch while our offices are closed.

Information for health care providers

We understand the COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant impact on the health care system, including significant reduction in in-person community and hospital based services. 

We support the province’s efforts to reduce the health care burden of the pandemic while balancing the need to provide ongoing support to people with workplace injuries and illnesses who need care. 

Health care providers can find FAQs about interim solutions to support continuity of care and services.

COVID-19 related claims statistics

We have a dedicated team of adjudicators and nurse consultants working as quickly as possible to gather any information required and review each claim so that people can access the benefits and services they may be entitled to.  

Because we look at each of these claims on a case-by-case basis, the time to a decision will be different in each claim. We are contacting people within two to five days of a COVID-19-related claim being filed to gather required exposure, employment, medical and other relevant information to help us make decisions.

Type Number *
Claims allowed 1,522
Claims not allowed 384
Claims pending 2,019
Exposure incident reports received 2,182

The table below lists the industries/sectors with the highest COVID-19 related claim volume. North American Industrial Classification System class references are in parenthesis. Any industry/sector not listed has fewer than five allowed claims.

Industry/Sector Allowed Not allowed Pending
Nursing and residential care facilities (N2)

967

 60 1,011
Hospitals (D3)

266

 155 414
Schedule 2 employers 140 91 209
Ambulatory health care (N1) 64 18 131
Agriculture (A) 22 <5 43
Social assistance (N3) 19 <5 40
Food, textiles and related manufacturing (E1) 10 <5 28
Motor vehicles, building materials, food and beverage retail (I1) 8 <5 26
Leisure and Hospitality (O) 6 <5 16

* data as of May 22, 2020

Where can I get more information?

For more information, please visit these sites: