Last spring your government introduced changes to the Workers Compensation Act to allow front-line and emergency response workers diagnosed with PTSD to access workplace benefits more quickly and easily.
I am happy to report that, effective October 26, a diagnosis of PTSD in front-line and emergency response occupations will be presumed to be work-related. Occupations that are included in this change are continuing-care assistants, correctional officers (including youth workers in correctional facilities), emergency-response dispatchers, firefighters (municipal and federal, paid and volunteer), nurses, paramedics, police officers, and sheriffs.
To qualify, a PTSD diagnoses must come from a Psychiatrist or registered psychologist. Those who filed claims that were denied can refile their claims for consideration without the usual requirement of new evidence. You do not require the diagnoses to file a claim, WCB can help connect you with a professional qualified to make a diagnosis. There is also no time limit on when the incident or trauma occurred nor when the diagnosis was made.
For those working in other occupations, occupational stress from traumatic events, including PTSD, is already covered for all clients of the Workers’ Compensation Board. These changes will not affect the way other workers access benefits.
I encourage any constituent who may be eligible or who has questions to visit: https://novascotia.ca/presumptive-ptsd .
As always, my office is available to constituents in our local community in accessing any provincial government services, never hesitate to contact me