Here’s a quick look at what changed in 2026, who’s responsible for paying, the key steps to take, and where you can find more info. Ontario’s workers compensation system, WSIB, has raised loss-of-earnings benefits and now clearly covers older workers. This guide breaks down who’s covered, how to file a claim, what employers need to do, and what to expect with claims, appeals, and return-to-work plans this year. You can get forms and the latest limits on the WSIB portal or the Ontario government’s website.

Quick summary

- As of 2026 Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) increased loss-of-earnings (LOE) benefits from 85% to 90% of a worker’s take-home pay for wage-loss entitlement.

- WSIB coverage now explicitly extends to workers over age 65 who remain employed, closing a gap many older workers and employers had questioned.

- Over 75% of Ontario employers are Schedule 1, paying premiums into the provincial fund, while big public-sector or self-insuring employers handle claims themselves under Schedule 2.

- Key steps for a claim: report the injury to the employer immediately, get medical care, complete the Worker’s Report (Form 6), ensure the employer files the Employer’s Report (Form 7), provide medical evidence (Health Professional’s Report / Form 8), and participate in a return-to-work plan if you’re offered one.

- Use these URLs for forms and updates: https://www.wsib.ca/en, https://www.ontario.ca/page/workplace-safety-and-insurance-board-wsib. For formal appeals, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT) is the final administrative forum.

Prerequisites: who, what and when

Who’s covered: Most employees of employers registered with WSIB are covered — that includes full-time, part-time, seasonal and many temporary staff. As of 2026 the Board explicitly lists workers older than 65 as covered when they’re still employed. That change matters for caregivers, seasonal workers and older professionals who kept working past traditional retirement ages.

Employer status: Employers are either Schedule 1 — paying premiums into WSIB’s pooled fund — or Schedule 2 — largely public-sector or very large employers who pay benefit costs directly. Over 75% of employers are Schedule 1. Premiums are calculated on insurable earnings and an industry rate; rates are expressed per $100 of insurable earnings and vary by industry and employer experience. Premiums and classification are updated annually by WSIB.

Eligibility basics: To qualify, the injury or illness has to be related to work. That includes obvious accidents at work, injuries that happen on the way to or from certain work locations when the travel is part of work duties, repetitive strain injuries tied to workplace tasks, and occupational illnesses such as work-related asthma or certain cancers linked to workplace exposures. The event or exposure must be reported and linked to workplace duties to qualify for LOE, health-care coverage and possible permanent impairment awards.

Mastheads

It’s important to report injuries as soon as you can. Workers should tell their employer immediately and submit a worker claim to WSIB promptly — generally within six months of the injury or of when they first knew the condition was workplace-related. Employers must report injuries to WSIB using their online portal and official forms after learning of a lost-time injury or a claim for health costs. Specific reporting deadlines differ by claim type, so employers should review WSIB’s reporting rules for timelines and penalties.

Step-by-step: how to file a WSIB claim in Ontario (2026)

Here’s the order you should follow. Most forms are available on the WSIB online portal.

  1. Get medical help right away. If it’s an emergency call 911. For non-emergencies, tell the treating clinician the injury is work-related so they record occupation-related diagnosis and limitations on the Health Professional’s Report (Form 8). That form is central to establishing entitlement and return-to-work options.
  2. Tell your employer immediately. Report the injury verbally and in writing. Include date, time, location, what happened and witnesses. Keep a copy of any written note or email you send. Employers need this information to start their internal reporting and to file their Employer’s Report to WSIB (Form 7).
  3. File the Worker’s Report of Injury (Form 6). Complete Form 6 online via the WSIB portal or by paper if you prefer. Provide contact details, job title, income information and a clear description of injury/exposure. List the treating clinic and any time off work. Filing triggers WSIB’s initial review and allows LOE consideration when wage loss begins.
  4. Employer files Employer’s Report (Form 7). Your employer should enter their version of the incident into the WSIB online system within the required employer reporting timeline. That report includes payroll, job duties, and whether you returned to modified duties. The employer’s input affects classification and premium experience-rating records.
  5. Submit medical evidence. Ask your health-care provider to complete the Health Professional’s Report (Form 8). Include diagnostic codes, treatment, prognosis and functional limitations. Attach diagnostic tests, prescriptions, physiotherapy plans and specialist notes. The stronger and more specific the evidence about restrictions and prognosis, the faster WSIB can decide on LOE entitlement.
  6. Wait for WSIB’s entitlement decision and start LOE payments if approved. In 2026 LOE replaces prior loss amounts at 90% of net take-home earnings where wage loss is accepted. WSIB will calculate LOE based on insurable earnings up to the annual maximum, prorated for part-year work. LOE can be paid retroactively to the date of wage loss once entitlement is established.
  7. Agree to, or participate in, a return-to-work plan. Return-to-work (RTW) plans are collaborative — worker, employer and WSIB should agree on modified duties, hours and functional limits. Employers must accommodate within reason and provide safe, suitable work. Many claims settle faster if a graduated RTW is implemented with documented duties and timelines.
  8. Keep records and report changes. Keep payslips, medical notes and records of offers for modified duties. Report any change in income or health status to WSIB promptly — failure to do so can delay payments or trigger reviews.
  9. If you disagree, start the review and appeal path. If WSIB denies entitlement or benefit amount, request a review through WSIB. If still disputed, an appeal can go to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT). Appeals require clear grounds and documentation — track deadlines carefully.

Tips

- Use the WSIB secure online account. It’s faster for filing claims, uploading medical documents and checking payment status.

- Note key numbers on documents: dates of injury, last day worked, hours normally worked, gross pay and typical deductions. LOE is calculated on take-home pay — so WSIB assesses common deductions to arrive at net amounts.

- Keep a daily symptom and work-ability log for the first 6–12 weeks. That log helps show the timeline of disability, restrictions and recovery.

- If you’re an employer, review your classification and premium rate each year. Industry premiums are presented per $100 of insurable payroll; small changes in classification or experience rating can change an employer’s premium bill materially.

- Consult an occupational health clinician for complex ergonomic injuries — early assessment helps frame realistic functional abilities for RTW planning.

Common mistakes to avoid

- Waiting too long to report the injury. Delay weakens evidence and complicates entitlement decisions. Report to the employer immediately and claim to WSIB promptly — generally within six months of the event or the date you first knew the condition was work-related.

- Not getting the treating clinician to complete the Health Professional’s Report. An incomplete or missing Form 8 often causes delays.

- Returning to full duties too quickly without documented clearance. That can lead to re-injury and complicate new claims.

- Overlooking the distinction between Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 employers. If an employer is Schedule 2 (self-insuring), claims handling and cost recovery differ — ask the employer for guidance on their internal process.

- Failing to keep copies of correspondence and medical reports. WSIB files can be long-running — documentation protects both workers and employers.

Ontario’s 2026 changes — higher LOE benefits now at 90% of take-home pay and explicit coverage for workers older than 65 who remain employed — expand protection for injured workers while keeping the basic claim steps familiar: get care, report the injury, file forms, provide medical evidence, and take part in a return-to-work plan. For forms and the latest numeric limits — including the annual maximum insurable earnings used to calculate benefits and the current premium table — consult https://www.wsib.ca and the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development’s pages; for contested decisions follow WSIB’s review process and, if needed, appeal to WSIAT.

This article was created with AI assistance.