Your weekly payments

I don’t want to go to the doctor because I am worried that I will catch COVID-19. How will this affect my weekly payments?

You need a certificate of capacity/certificate of fitness to receive income support.

You may wish to contact your doctor to discuss a telehealth consultation (a consultation over the phone or via video) to get your certificate of capacity/certificate of fitness. If your doctor is unable to do this, contact your insurer to discuss your concerns.

You can also talk to your doctor and insurer about obtaining a longer certificate of capacity/ certificate of fitness than usual.

You can get a certificate that is valid for more than 28 days if your health practitioner states the special reasons justifying the longer period and the insurer is satisfied the certificate should be accepted.

Alternatively, you may now obtain a certificate of capacity/ certificate of fitness from your treating physiotherapist or psychologist. Recent amendments allows SIRA-approved treating physiotherapists and treating psychologists to issue second or subsequent certificates of capacity by completing the certificate of capacity/ certificate of fitness – treating physiotherapist or psychologist form.

I had a work-related injury, and I was recovering at work, but my employer has closed down. Can I get my weekly payments?

If your employer is unable to provide suitable work and you are entitled to weekly payments, you will still receive them.

Talk to the insurer about your entitlement to weekly payments and how these will be paid.

I don’t want to go back to work because I am worried that I will catch COVID-19. How will this affect my weekly payments?

You are encouraged to contact the insurer and employer to discuss your concerns. The insurer will consider:

• the nature of your injury and your health more generally
• whether it is possible to work from home for a period
• advice from NSW Health about people travelling to certain places, or whether certain types of people (elderly, the young, immunocompromised) should restrict their travel.
• Speak with your employer about what they are doing to keep their workplace COVID-safe.
• You can also speak with your doctor about your COVID-19 vaccination options.

If you are not able to return to or recover at work due to the impact of COVID-19 on your workplace, where possible you should try to keep active and use activities of daily living to maintain your fitness and health.

Can I access any of the Commonwealth and NSW Government COVID-19 financial supports if I’m receiving workers compensation weekly payments?

If you are entitled to receive workers compensation weekly payments, you will continue to receive these payments.

If you wish to access other financial support available from the Commonwealth or NSW Government, you will need to discuss your circumstances with the agency managing the support package.

You will need to let the agency know that you receive weekly payments so that they can better understand your circumstances.