Claims
If you need to take time off work
Focusing on your recovery sometimes means taking time off work. We’re here to support you with income assistance until you can return.
Income replacement benefit
If your injuries from the crash have prevented you from working, you may be eligible for the income replacement benefit. This benefit can replace your lost wages up to 90 percent of your typical net income, based on a maximum amount of $119,000 in annual gross income. If you earn more than this, you have the option of buying additional Income Top-Up coverage. Coverage for the income replacement benefit begins on the eighth day after the crash.
You may be covered by insurers other than ICBC
In some cases, you may have a primary insurer other than ICBC, such as WorkSafeBC if you were injured while working, disability or sick day coverage through your employer, or Employment Insurance (EI) through the Government of Canada.
That means ICBC would be your secondary insurer and would only pay out after any other wage loss benefits. You'll need to apply for those benefits first and then your ICBC income replacement calculation will take them into account.
Visit the WorkSafeBC and Government of Canada websites to submit your wage loss claims.
How to apply for the income replacement benefit
If eligible, the best way to submit your application is online. You’ll need to provide information on:
Your paid work history for the 52 weeks before the crash date
Any self-employment income and business involvements
Any in-progress or confirmed job offers
Once you submit your application, you can view your application details and track its progress online.
After you complete your application form, we’ll ask you to submit supporting documents so we can verify your income and calculate the benefit amount you’re entitled to.
To verify your income, you’ll be asked to provide documents that may include:
Pay stubs
CRA Notice of assessment
T4 slips
If you’re self-employed, you may also need to provide:
Your T2 Corporation income tax return form
Documents that prove your business involvement
Documents that show your business’s gross (total) revenue
Since every income situation can be different, you may be asked for additional documents. Learn more about applying for the income replacement benefit.
Returning to work
Our goal is to support you in returning to work again. Once you can return to your regular job duties, your income replacement benefit will end.
You may choose to have a gradual return to work by returning part-time as you continue to recover. If you do, your income replacement benefit will be reduced based on your part-time income.
