4preferred suppliers for off-the-shelf equipmentSource: wsib.ca
$0you pay for approved equipment from a preferred supplierSource: wsib.ca
Over 4 weeksof extreme difficulty with daily activities makes an injury seriousSource: wsib.ca
Eligibility check
Could WSIB pay for your equipment?
WSIB may pay when your claim is allowed, a treating health professional prescribes the item for your work injury, and WSIB approves the item, the cost and the supplier before you buy. Three quick questions. Nothing you choose leaves this page.
Question 1 of 3
What each answer means
Your claim is allowed and a serious, permanent injury means you need a complex device.
Ask about an independent living device
Under WSIB's policy revised on September 21, 2026, hospital beds, specialty mattresses and other devices that restore mobility or self-care can be approved when a serious injury permanently affects you. WSIB must pre-authorize the device and may require an approved vendor. A health care practitioner's prescription or recommendation comes first.
Only WSIB decides what it pays for, and approval is not guaranteed. Questions: call WSIB at 1-800-387-0750 or ask your case manager.
Your claim is allowed and you need a complex device, but the injury is temporary or you are not sure yet.
Talk to your case manager about what fits your recovery
Independent living devices are for permanent impacts, under the rules revised on September 21, 2026. During recovery, WSIB may approve off-the-shelf equipment instead, such as an adjustable bed frame or a walker, from a preferred supplier.
Only WSIB decides what it pays for, and approval is not guaranteed. Questions: call WSIB at 1-800-387-0750 or ask your case manager.
Your claim is allowed and you need a change to your home.
Home modifications go through WSIB's own process
Under the policy revised on September 21, 2026, minor changes such as grab bars, railings and modular ramps can be approved for a permanent serious injury or a temporary need during recovery. Major changes such as platform lifts and wider doorways need a permanent serious injury where minor changes are not enough. WSIB's preferred provider normally carries out the work.
Only WSIB decides what it pays for, and approval is not guaranteed. Questions: call WSIB at 1-800-387-0750 or ask your case manager.
Your claim is allowed and you need everyday off-the-shelf equipment.
Get a prescription and WSIB approval, then use a preferred supplier
Off-the-shelf equipment is approved when it is prescribed and tied to your claim. WSIB expects you to buy it from one of its four preferred suppliers, which bill WSIB directly so you pay nothing. Ask your case manager before you buy.
Only WSIB decides what it pays for, and approval is not guaranteed. Questions: call WSIB at 1-800-387-0750 or ask your case manager.
Your claim is allowed and something WSIB paid for needs repair or replacement.
Repairs and replacements can be approved
WSIB may repair or replace equipment it paid for when your entitlement continues, recent reports confirm the need, and the item wore out through normal use. A replacement needs a new prescription.
Only WSIB decides what it pays for, and approval is not guaranteed. Questions: call WSIB at 1-800-387-0750 or ask your case manager.
Wait for the claim decision, or keep your receipts
WSIB repays items bought before a claim is allowed, such as at the hospital on the day of the accident, once the claim is allowed and the item is approved. For anything else, ask WSIB before you buy.
Only WSIB decides what it pays for, and approval is not guaranteed. Questions: call WSIB at 1-800-387-0750 or ask your case manager.
Without an allowed WSIB claim, look at other routes such as ODSP, your city's low-income program, private insurance or the tax credits for medical and home accessibility expenses.
Only WSIB decides what it pays for, and approval is not guaranteed. Questions: call WSIB at 1-800-387-0750 or ask your case manager.
Your WSIB claim is allowed and you have ongoing entitlement to benefits or services.Source: wsib.ca
The equipment is needed because of the work-related injury or illness, to treat it or ease its effects, or to improve or maintain your independent living.Source: wsib.ca
A treating health professional prescribes the item and recent health reports give objective clinical findings, treatment goals and how long it will be used. The prescriber cannot also be the person who supplies the item.Source: wsib.ca
Independent living devices (including hospital beds and specialty mattresses) are for a serious injury or illness that permanently, or likely permanently, affects your ability to communicate, be mobile or care for yourself.Source: wsib.ca
A serious injury or illness means functional limitations that cause extreme difficulty or inability with daily activities for more than four weeks, or a progressive life-limiting condition.Source: wsib.ca
Home modifications: the work injury (alone, or combined with a non-work condition it made worse) affects your access to the areas of your home you need for daily activities. Major modifications need a permanent serious injury where minor changes are not enough.Source: wsib.ca
What can be covered
What can WSIB help pay for?
What WSIB's policies list, grouped by the equipment we supply. Every item needs your case manager's approval before you buy.
Walkers and rollators
Walkers and accessories, canes, crutches and tipsOff-the-shelf health care equipment from preferred suppliers.
Source: wsib.ca
Adjustable bed frames, mattresses and surfacesListed as health care equipment and supplies that preferred suppliers carry.
Source: wsib.ca
Hospital bed or specialty pressure-relief mattress (independent living device)For a serious injury where you need help repositioning or transferring, cannot reach your usual bed, need care while in bed, or have severe pain the bed eases. Head, foot or height independently adjustable; specialty sheets included; a companion bed may be considered.
Source: wsib.ca
For a serious, permanent injury, pre-authorized by WSIB.
Independent living devices that restore mobility or self-care (fitted, customized or off-the-shelf)The policy names the purpose, not products: ask WSIB whether a wheelchair, scooter or lift fits. Devices must be prescribed or recommended, cost-effective and CSA certified or equivalent.
Source: wsib.ca
Major home modifications: platform lifts, elevators, widened doorways, lowered countersOnly for a permanent serious injury where minor changes are not enough; WSIB's preferred provider manages the project.
Source: wsib.ca
Repairs and replacement of equipment WSIB paid forWear from regular or heavy use, with ongoing entitlement; a replacement needs a new prescription.
Source: wsib.ca
Vehicle modifications and part of the cost of a purpose-built accessible vehicleWhen the injury affects getting in or out, driving or riding as a passenger.
Source: wsib.ca
Off-the-shelf equipment comes from WSIB's preferred suppliers
WSIB expects workers to buy items such as walkers, commodes and grab bars from its four preferred suppliers: McKesson Retail Banner Management, Motion, Ontario Home Health and Shoppers Home Health Care. Mobility Specialties is not one of them, and we will never ask you to pay and claim the money back from WSIB.
Source: wsib.caSource: wsib.ca
Equipment for a need not caused by the allowed work injury or illnessSource: wsib.ca
Items bought without WSIB approval that WSIB later does not approveSource: wsib.ca
Costs above the amount WSIB would have authorizedSource: wsib.ca
Repairs or replacement after deliberate damage, misuse, or not following the warranty or operating instructionsSource: wsib.ca
Beds or mattresses for general comfort or sleep preference, standard or basic orthopaedic mattressesSource: wsib.ca
Hot tubs, pools, all-terrain vehicles, tractors, snowplows and riding lawnmowers (except in rare exceptional cases)Source: wsib.ca
Home modifications to create a hospital-like setting, or for a live-in caregiver's living arrangementsSource: wsib.ca
General home maintenance or repairs that are not assistive, such as roofs, windows or deck repairs (other than a ramp)Source: wsib.ca
Before you buy
Get WSIB approval before you buy
Get WSIB approval before buying anything: approval covers the item, the cost and the supplier. Off-the-shelf equipment is expected to come from one of WSIB's four preferred suppliers, which bill WSIB directly. WSIB pays a worker or another supplier only in five exceptional cases. Independent living devices must be pre-authorized and WSIB may require an approved vendor. Home modifications are normally carried out by WSIB's preferred provider. WSIB policy says suppliers should not tell workers to pay and claim the money back.
Approval covers three thingsBefore you buy, WSIB should approve the item, the cost and the supplier. If it does not, you pay.
Source: wsib.ca
Preferred suppliers for everyday itemsOff-the-shelf equipment is expected to come from one of four preferred suppliers, which bill WSIB directly.
Source: wsib.caSource: wsib.ca
Five exceptionsWSIB pays a worker or another supplier only for a purchase before the claim was allowed, an urgent need, a product that must be fitted or precisely sized with no preferred supplier in your community, being outside Ontario, or never having been told about the rule.
Source: wsib.ca
Devices are pre-authorizedHospital beds and other independent living devices must be pre-approved, and WSIB may require an approved vendor.
Source: wsib.ca
No pay and claimWSIB policy says suppliers should not tell workers to pay and claim the money back. We will not ask you to.
Source: wsib.ca
How to apply
How do you get equipment through WSIB?
There is no public application form for equipment: your treating health professional prescribes it, and your WSIB case manager approves the item, the cost and the supplier before anything is bought.
1
Make sure your claim is allowed
Equipment is only paid on an allowed claim with ongoing entitlement.
Source: wsib.ca
2
Get a prescription from your treating health professional
WSIB needs the original prescription, plus recent reports with clinical findings, goals and how long you will use the item.
Source: wsib.ca
3
Ask your WSIB case manager for approval
Approval covers the item, the cost and the supplier. There is no public application form for equipment.
Source: wsib.ca
4
Get basic equipment from a preferred supplier
McKesson Retail Banner Management, Motion, Ontario Home Health or Shoppers Home Health Care; WSIB's supplier search finds a location near you.
Source: wsib.caSource: wsib.ca
5
For a serious injury, ask about devices and home changes
WSIB assesses how the injury affects daily activities, then pre-authorizes independent living devices and home or vehicle modifications.
Source: wsib.caSource: wsib.ca
Dates and limits
New independent living policies
Apply to decisions made on or after September 21, 2026; earlier accidents with a first decision after that date are also covered
Source: wsib.caSource: wsib.ca
Serious injury
Extreme difficulty with daily activities for more than four weeks, or a progressive life-limiting condition
Source: wsib.ca
Yes, when your claim is allowed, your entitlement continues, a treating health professional prescribes the item, and you need it because of the work injury or to maintain your independent living. WSIB should approve the item, the cost and the supplier before you buy.
From one of WSIB's four preferred suppliers: McKesson Retail Banner Management, Motion, Ontario Home Health or Shoppers Home Health Care. They bill WSIB directly, so you do not pay. Other suppliers are paid only in five exceptional situations listed in WSIB policy.
It can. WSIB may authorize a hospital bed or specialty mattress as an independent living device for a serious injury, for example when you need help moving or transferring in bed or have severe pain the bed eases. It must be pre-authorized. WSIB also lists adjustable bed frames and mattresses among the supplies its preferred suppliers carry.
It may, as an independent living device, when a serious work injury permanently affects your ability to be mobile and the device is prescribed or recommended, safe, cost-effective and CSA certified or equivalent. The policy does not name products, so ask your case manager. The device must be pre-authorized and WSIB may require an approved vendor.
Does WSIB pay for home modifications like a ramp or stairlift?
Yes, when the work injury affects your access to areas of your home. Grab bars, railings and modular ramps are minor modifications. Platform lifts, elevators and wider doorways are major modifications, only for a permanent serious injury. Stairlifts are not named in the policy, so ask your case manager. WSIB's preferred provider normally manages the work.
Only in limited cases. Get approval first: if WSIB does not approve the item, you pay. Items bought before your claim was allowed, such as at the hospital on the day of the accident, can be repaid once the claim is allowed and the item is approved.
Yes. WSIB says it pays for all approved health care costs related to your claim, even if you have not missed time at work and even if you have insurance coverage.
Yes, for equipment WSIB paid for, when your entitlement continues, reports confirm the need and the wear came from regular use. A replacement needs a new prescription. WSIB will not pay after misuse or deliberate damage.
Is Mobility Specialties a WSIB preferred supplier?
No. WSIB's four preferred suppliers for health care equipment and supplies are McKesson Retail Banner Management, Motion, Ontario Home Health and Shoppers Home Health Care. We can give product details, measurements and quotes when WSIB or your practitioner asks, and we will not ask you to pay and claim the money back.
What changed in WSIB's independent living policies in 2026?
WSIB published a new overview policy and revised its independent living devices, home modification and vehicle modification policies on September 21, 2026. They apply to decisions made on or after that date and define a serious injury as extreme difficulty with daily activities for more than four weeks.
We give product details, measurements and a detailed quote when WSIB or your practitioner asks. We are not a WSIB preferred supplier. Questions about your claim or a decision go to your WSIB case manager.
Written by Mobility Specialties, updated . Checked against WSIB's health care benefits page and its operational policies 17-01-07, 17-07-06, 17-06-01, 17-06-03 and 17-06-08 on November 12, 2026. Only WSIB decides what it pays for.
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