EMPLOYER AT INJURY PROGRAM
Worksite Modification & Wage Subsidy
HELPING REDUCE AN EMPLOYER'S EARLY RETURN-TO-WORK AND CLAIM COSTS.
All parties benefit when a worker returns to work as quickly as possible after an on-the-job injury. Created in 1993, the Employer at Injury Program (EAIP) was developed to encourage the early return to work of Injured Workers by helping reduce the Employer's early return-to-work costs and by reducing claim costs.
The program is funded by the state of Oregon's Workers' Benefit Fund. EAIP is voluntarily activated by the employer, and it does not negatively affect premium or claim costs.
WAGE SUBSIDY
WORKSITE MODIFICATION
TUITION, BOOKS, FEES, MATERIALS
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE
Wage subsidy: Employers may be reimbursed 45 percent of a worker's gross wages for transitional work for a maximum reimbursement of 66 work days within a 24-consecutive-month period.
The injured worker must stay within the work limitations outlined by the medical provider. Any day during which the worker exceeds his or her limitations will not be reimbursed.
Worksite modification: A worksite modification alters a work site by renting, purchasing, modifying, or supplementing equipment to enable a worker to perform the transitional work within the worker's limitations, or to prevent a worsening of the worker’s condition. The insurer determines the appropriate worksite modification(s) for the worker.
Tools and equipment: Items required for the worker to perform transitional work, including consumables; "consumables" means purchases required to support the functioning of tools or equipment utilized during transitional work.
Worksite modification and purchases of tools and equipment are limited to a combined maximum reimbursement of $5,000.00
Tuition, books, fees, and materials: A class or course of instruction required for the transitional work or skill building. When skill building is the transition work, an agreement in writing signed by the worker is required. Maximum reimbursement: $1,000
Clothing: Clothing required for the job and not normally provided by the employer. Clothing becomes the worker's property. Maximum reimbursement: $400
Eligibility
The employer requirements:
- Must maintain Oregon workers' compensation insurance coverage.
- Must be the employer-at-injury.
- Must be employing an eligible worker
The worker requirements:
- The worker must have an Oregon workers’ compensation injury or occupational disease claim at the time of the EAIP.
Program Begins:
When there is an EAIP valid medical release and all of the above eligibility requirements have been met. There are two types of medical releases that qualify under these rules:
- A medical release that states the worker’s specific current or projected restrictions; or
- A statement by the medical service provider that indicates the worker is not released to regular employment accompanied by an approval of a job description, which includes the job duties and physical demands required for the transitional work.
Program Ends:
All requests must be completed on SAIF's reimbursement request forms and received by SAIF within one year from the date the program ends.
These are some of the most common reasons EAIP ends. If there are multiple reasons, EAIP ends when the first one occurs.
Eligible requests for reimbursement must meet a minimum of $100.00. Benefits may be combined to meet this requirement
Administration of Program:
A SAIF EAIP specialist, in partnership with SAIF RETURN-TO-WORK consultants, will help you get medical releases, assist with identifying work, assist with accessing benefits, and help with other parts of the process.
SAIF EAIP Specialist: Michael Fisher SAIF RETURN-TO-WORK CONSULTANT: Claudia Perryman