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As
an injured worker, returning to work can be a primary concern. All
parties benefit when a worker returns to work as quickly as possible
after an on-the-job injury. The Employer-at-Injury program (EAIP)
is designed to encourage early return-to-work by helping employers
use transitional work assignments for injured workers who are recovering
from their injury. The workers’ compensation insurer responsible
for your claim administers the program. The insurer receives reimbursement
for program costs from the Department of Consumer and Business Services
(DCBS). Funding is from employer assessments and worker contributions
into the Workers’ Benefit Fund.
What is Transitional Work?
For purposes of the EAIP, transitional work is temporary work with
your employer-at-injury that is not your full-duty regular
work. It’s assigned because you have restrictions and/or limitations
that prevent you from doing full-duty regular work. Transitional
work must keep within your specific injury-caused restrictions.
Modifying your regular work, reducing your hours, or assigning you
to a different job can create transitional work. It can also be
created through the use of worksite modification. The transitional
work may be a skills building class or course of instruction as
long as you agree in writing to take the class or course of instruction.
Who Initiates Use of the EAIP?
Use of the EAIP is optional for your employer. If your employer
wants to use it, they will request assistance from your workers’
compensation insurer or use the program at the suggestion of the
insurer. The insurer obtains medical documentation from your medical
provider and helps your employer identify work that you can do within
your restrictions. Then, the employer offers you transitional work.
As an injured worker, you may or may not be aware that the employer
is using the EAIP.
What are the Benefits?
The EAIP includes three categories of benefits:
Wage subsidy - The EAIP provides a 50% wage reimbursement for transitional work gross wages for a maximum of 66 work days within 24 consecutive months.
Worksite modification - The EAIP provides reimbursement of
up to $2,500 for equipment necessary for you to do transitional
work within your specific restrictions. The insurer works with
your employer and determines appropriate worksite modification.
The equipment can be purchased or rented. Equipment that is purchased
becomes the property of the employer. If you need it to work on
a permanent basis, the employer can designate it for your use
on a permanent basis.
EAIP purchases - The EAIP provides reimbursement for the following types of purchases necessary for transitional work: Tuition, books, and fees for a class or course of instruction to meet the requirements of the transitional work, to enhance existing skill, or develop a new skill. The training has to be provided by an organization licensed or accredited by an appropriate body, or be an accredited on-line or accredited self-study course. The maximum benefit is $1000.
Tools and equipment required for the transitional work may
be rented or purchased for your use. If purchased, at the end
of the program they become the employer’s property. The
maximum benefit is $2500.
Clothing required
for transitional work, except clothing that you already possess or the employer normally provides. The clothing becomes your property. The maximum reimbursement is $400.
The insurer may make a more than one-time reimbursement request to
DCBS for all costs of the program, but only one $120 administration
fee for first request. If you have general questions about the EAIP,
call (800) 445-3948. If you have questions about your individual Employer-at-Injury
Program, ask your employer or your workers’ compensation insurer. |
