What are Attendant Care Benefits?

Attendant Care Benefits cover services that are provided by an aide to assist with everyday living tasks that the injured person cannot perform themselves, as a result of the accident. Routine everyday tasks consists of things like bathing, dressing, using the washroom, personal grooming and hygiene, mobility, and more.
This benefit exists to provide assistance to those who have sustained injuries that have prevented them from being able to carry on daily duties by themselves.

If approved, the insurance company must pay attendant care if the injured person has received such help, if they have paid or promised to pay for attendant care already received, and/or if the person providing the care has experienced economic loss as a result of providing the attendant care. An injured person who did not sustain catastrophic impairment can receive up to $3,000 per month for attendant care; someone who has sustained a catastrophic impairment can receive up to $6,000 per month for attendant care.

Usually, when claiming attendant care benefits, a nurse or occupational therapist will assess the injured person, and prepare “Form 1”, to identify the attendant care need(s). It is important to note the changes in the regulations since 2010, which require the attendant care provider to be providing such care in the course of employment, occupation, or profession. Thus, an individual who does provide attendant care services as an occupation (i.e. a family member) may not qualify for payment through insurance. The only exception is if the individual experienced economic loss as a result of providing the services.