Vocational Rehabilitation

What is Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)?

VR is a service provided to workers as part of the Workers Compensation Board’s Return to Work program. During the VR process, a plan is developed which takes into consideration the worker’s earning capacity, permanent medical work restriction, functional capacity, employment, educational background, skills, abilities, aptitude and pre-injury earnings.

What is the goal of Vocational Rehabilitation?

The goal of VR is to assist the worker develop a return to work plan which outlines the necessary steps for the worker to get back into the workforce. The worker’s employer, health care providers and other outside agencies may assist in the plan development.

How do I know if I am eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation?

To be eligible for VR, the worker must have both a permanent impairment and a loss of earning capacity as determined by the Workers Compensation Board. The case coordinator at the Workers Compensation Board will refer the worker for a permanent medical impairment assessment. If the worker is unable to return to their pre-injury job, the worker’s employer cannot provide alternate work or the employer is not helping in the return to work process, the case coordinator will refer the worker to a VR counselor. If the worker’s employer is able to provide employment with modified or alternate positions, VR services will not be required.

What are some of the Vocational Rehabilitation services available to the worker?

Vocational Rehabilitation programs include:

• Job Search - A program which helps the worker prepare cover letters and resumes, employment counseling, job application, interview preparation, and job search skills. (This program is also available to workers who do not have a permanent impairment and are not returning to their pre-injury job.)
• Work Experience Program - A program which helps the worker find a job through employer-sponsored training. The Workers Compensation Board will provide financial assistance to an employer to provide on-the-job training for a worker.
• Formal Training Program - A program which helps workers who have the necessary physical and academic ability complete a period of formal training through an educational facility.
• Self-Employment Program - This program is only an option after all other VR programs have been explored and have been determined unsuitable.

How does Vocational Rehabilitation work?

The Workers Compensation Board's VR Counsellor will assist the worker to develop a plan within six to twelve (6-12) weeks of the initial meeting with the worker.

Will the Workers Compensation Board pay for expenses required for VR?

The Workers Compensation Board will provide payment for pre-approved vocational rehabilitation expenses while a worker is participating in a program.

What happens when the VR program is completed?

A worker who participates in a Formal Training program is expected to prepare for and pursue job opportunities during the program. Wage loss benefits may be continued for a maximum of twelve (12) weeks following the successful completion of a training program to allow time for a worker to acquire job search skills and seek employment.

After completion of a VR program, a worker with a permanent impairment may be eligible for extended wage loss benefits (EWL), if the worker continues to have a loss of earning capacity, based on the higher of:

• actual wages if the worker gets employment in the area the worker was trained; or
• estimated earnings at the entry level position for which the worker has been trained

What happens if a worker does not complete the VR program?

The VR program will not continue if:

• the worker refuses to participate in the development of a plan;
• the worker ends a VR program without a good reason or without prior approval of the Workers Compensation Board; or
• the worker does not follow the VR program or is terminated from the program due to non-compliance or lack of effort.

If the VR program is discontinued for any of the above reasons, the worker will not receive compensation during this time period.

For more information

Please contact your case coordinator at the Workers Compensation Board at:

902-368-5688 or toll-free in Atlantic Canada: 1-800-237-5049