Current allowance $750 per month for living expenses near vocational rehab program
The Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) of Nova Scotia is looking for stakeholder consultation on whether the living allowance for workers who must relocate and maintain a second residence during their rehabilitation program is sufficient.
With the current policy, the WCB may provide a living allowance for a worker who must relocate and maintain a second residence for the duration of his vocational rehabilitation program, according to the WCB.
The living allowance, currently set at a maximum of $750 per month, is intended to cover room and board expenses, including the costs of rent, basic utilities, meals and travel expenses. It is reimbursed based on receipts.
The current maximum has been in place in program policy since 2002.
“The issue to be addressed is whether this living allowance maximum is still appropriate in today’s economic environment or whether an adjustment in the allowance is required to reflect changes in the cost of room and board rates, meal costs and travel costs,” the WCB said.
The program policy background paper and draft revised program policy is available online: http://www.wcb.ns.ca/app/DocRepository/5/Policy/VR.pdf
Written feedback on the policy can be submitted until April 30. Send feedback to: Nancy Stacey at [email protected] or (902) 491-8346.
