Child and animal care

A worker who did not pay for child or animal care before their workplace accident may be eligible to receive financial assistance to offset costs when they need to hire child or animal care due to their injury in the following circumstances:

• Attending a WCB sponsored treatment or re-employment program.
• Recovering at home.
• In the hospital.  

When the worker makes the request, ask questions to determine eligibility based on the reasons for the care and what their child or animal care circumstances were before and after the injury.

If the worker is requesting an extension to pay for child or animal care coverage beyond the initially approved period, go to step 5.

Questions could include (but may not apply to every situation): 

• Was childcare or animal care provided before the accident? If so, who looked after the child(ren) or animals during the day, such as school, daycare or doggy daycare?
• How did the child(ren) or animal(s) get to and from their day activities, such as school or daycare? 
• Where did the child(ren) stay until the parent(s) returned from work? 
• How did the worker previously transport the child(ren) or animal(s) to the care facility or the person who came to the home?
• Is the worker able to walk their dog and/or bend down to scoop waste?
• Does the worker need help with irregular animal/pet care, such as bathing, grooming, etc.?
• Is the worker receiving a personal care allowance that can be used towards the cost? 
• Is a family member reasonably able to care for the child or animal?

Establish who will provide the care and discuss the expected duration and cost. Confirm that the need is related to a workplace injury.

Note: Financial assistance for child or animal care is not considered for virtual physiotherapy or a virtual return-to-work program.

If the worker has requested assistance to pay for livestock care, in order to be eligible for the benefit, confirm the livestock is not part of the worker's business. For example, chickens, horses or cattle raised for personal and family use would be eligible. The WCB does not cover the cost of animals that are part of the worker's business as the cost of care for these animals is a business expense. 

Determine if the worker meets one or more of the following eligibility criteria to receive financial support for child or animal care:

1. The worker needs to leave home to attend a WCB sponsored treatment or re-employment program.
2. The worker is recovering at home after their workplace accident or surgery and the medical reporting supports that they are not able to perform some aspect of care for their child(ren) or animal(s).
3. The worker is in the hospital. 
4.  Any other exceptional circumstances not listed here.

Confirm whether the cost for the child or animal care is reasonable. The average cost per hour/day for child or animal care depends on a number of factors including the worker's circumstances, type of care required and location. Ask questions to ensure the suggested cost is reasonable. 

 Questions to consider: 

• Where does the worker live?
• How many weeks of care is required?
• For childcare:
  • How many children require care?
  • What type of care do the children receive (daycare, day home or private)?
  • What ages are the children (rates differ for infant, toddler, preschool)?
  • What level of care (part time, full time, overnight, before and after school) is needed?
• For animal care:
• What type of care do the animals need (feeding, ensuring their wellbeing)?
• Do the animals require care full time, part time, daytime or overnight?
• Is the care provided by an individual or an agency? 

Reasonable cost for childcare

Based on information on childcare costs in Alberta: 

• For full-time care- $700 to $1000 per month per child is a reasonable amount to pay. If a worker is in a four week program and has two children, the cost could be around $1500 to $2000. If the program is extended to 6 weeks, that cost would go up to $2100 to $3000 for the program period. 
• For part-time care - the hourly amount of $15.00 to $50.00 is a reasonable amount to pay depending on whether the childcare is private or agency.

Reasonable cost for animal care

An hourly amount of $15 to $50 is reasonable depending on whether care is provided by an individual or an agency.  

The estimated cost for full time care per animal is between $700 and $1000 per month (four weeks). When the worker has multiple animals, the cost may be up between $1500 and $2000 for the duration of a four-week program. When the program is extended to six weeks, costs can increase to between $2100 and $3000 for the program period. 

Approve the request for child or animal care coverage when the criteria are met and the proposed costs do not exceed $400 per month.

When the monthly cost for child or pet care will be over $400 per month request approval from the supervisor.

Note: Supervisor approval is required each time the period of child or animal care is extended, and/or when occasional coverage becomes more regular, the period is beyond six months and/or costs exceed $400 per month. See step 5 for extensions for child or animal care.

Call the worker to discuss the decision to approve or not approve child or animal care.  

If approved, ask the worker to complete the childcare expense form, confirm the agreed upon terms, including the cost and how long the benefit is approved for and document the conversation. Explain that the childcare expense form is required for all claimed childcare expenses prior to issuing payment.  This ensures payments are made to the correct party.

For animal care coverage, discuss with the worker that a receipt is:

• Required when the animal/pet care is regular (more than three times per month). 
• Not required for occasional care, unless the animal/pet care becomes more regular (more than three times per month), extends beyond a six-month period or the total costs paid exceed $400 in the month.

Explain that payment is made directly to the animal/pet care provider agency (i.e. an incorporated company). If the care is not provided by an agency, discuss the amount and periods payable. 

When the request is not approved, clearly explain the reasons for the decision verbally and in writing. Address any questions or concerns the worker has. End this procedure.

Childcare expense payments are issued by Medical Aid once the required form has been received from the worker. Payment is made to whomever is indicated on the form the worker submitted. 

When a receipt is required for animal care, payment is issued once it is received. Payment can be made directly to the animal/pet-care provider if they are an agency (e.g., an incorporated company). If the animal/pet care was not provided by an agency, issue payment for the approved period.  The amounts shown for animal/pet care expenses on the Payment Request screen are examples only and can be over-written.

If a receipt is not required for animal care, the decision maker can issue the payment for the approved period. When animal care is not provided by an agency, payment can be made directly to the private provider. 

If the receipt is for more than what you approved, call the worker to discuss the reason and determine if it is appropriate to issue payment for the entire amount.  

Review all requests to extend child or animal care coverage beyond the initially approved period. Consider the circumstances when determining if the extension is reasonable. 

For example, a reasonable extension would be if the worker required child or animal care three times per week for six weeks while attending treatment or a return-to-work program, and the length of treatment or program has been extended. 

When an extension is reasonable, document the decision and forward the request for supervisor approval.

Note: Supervisor approval is required each time the period of child or animal care is extended, and/or when occasional coverage becomes more regular, the period is beyond six months and/or costs exceed $400 per month. 

Call the worker to share the decision and confirm the agreed upon terms, including the cost and how long the benefit is approved for.

Repeat this step until the child or animal care is no longer required or the extension is not approved.

If the extension is not approved, contact the worker and share the decision, clearly explaining the rationale. Document the decision and send a letter outlining the conversation.