05/20/2021

Transitional Work Grant Program Enhancements Are Coming

The enhancements will launch June 1

The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) has enhanced its Transitional Work Grant (TWG) program for Ohio employers who actively participate in the recovery and return to work of their employees. Beginning June 1, employers are eligible for a TWG every five years, 100 percent reimbursement up to their approved grant maximum and COVID-19 services.

Renewable every five years

Historically, an employer was only eligible for one TWG during the lifetime of the employer's policy. The lifetime eligibility criteria has been removed, and an employer may now apply for a TWG every five years.

In the event an employer already received a TWG, the five years is calculated from the date of the previous TWG approval. Employers with a TWG approval date prior to June 1, 2016, are immediately eligible to apply for a new grant.

100 percent reimbursement based on employer size

The 3:1 grant match reimbursement methodology has been removed. Grant reimbursement to the employer is now 100 percent of the submitted invoice up to the employer’s maximum awarded grant.

The maximum awarded TWG per employer is based on the employer's number of employees. The maximum grant amounts are listed below.

• 11 - 49 employees – $2,900.
• 50 - 199 employees – $5,200.
• 200 plus employees – $6,300.

An employer may only apply for one grant per policy number; however, employers with multiple policy numbers may combine their grant monies and develop a corporate program.

Any unused grant monies are referred to as Implementation Funds and are reserved for an employer use until the grant expires. Implementation funds can be used to purchase services an employer needs to facilitate the use of their transitional work program.

COVID-19 services

The BWC added two new Implementation Fund services to the program in late 2020. One service is assisting the employer in managing the injured worker’s return to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Another is assisting the employer in managing the workspace for health and safety during COVID-19.

In addition, employers that have a TWG are eligible to apply for our Transitional Work Performance Bonus program.

Questions

To learn more about this program, visit bwc.ohio.gov and select Transitional Work Programs, or you may email questions to the BWC's transitional work unit at TWSupport@bwc.state.oh.us.