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OCF-10: Election of Income Replacement, Non-Earner and Caregiver Benefit
What is the Election of Income Replacement, Non-Earner or Caregiver Benefit Form (OCF-10)?
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) has a series of Auto Insurance Claims Forms (OCF Forms) that need to be filled out if you are seeking compensation or benefits for your injuries. The OCF-10 form is also known as Election of Income Replacement, Non-Earner or Caregiver Benefit Form. While a claimant may be eligible for Income Replacement, Non-Earner or Caregiver Benefits – the claimant can only receive one of these benefits and can choose which benefit to receive. It’s important to note that once a claimant decides which benefit to receive, they cannot change their mind later so you have to be very careful which benefit you elect. Unless the insurer is demanding that you complete this form, it is wise to not do so until requested. For more information on this form – you can download the OCF-10 here.
What information is required on the OCF-10?
While the form is pretty straightforward and asks you to select which benefit you wish to receive – the challenging aspect for most claimants to decide which benefit to choose from. Here is a breakdown of the different types of benefits but we recommend you contact a personal injury lawyer to help you decide which is best for you:
- Income Replacement Benefit: This benefit is available to those who are employed or self-employed at the time of the accident or had been working for a prescribed amount of time leading up to the incident. The benefit entitles you to a certain percentage of your gross income with a cap on the maximum payout you may be eligible to receive.
- Non-earner Benefit: This benefit is available to those who were not employed at the time of the accident and whose injuries prevent the completion of regular day to day activities. The payout is a fixed amount and only for a prescribed amount of time.
- Caregiver Benefit: This benefit is optional benefit and would be available to an accident victim who at the time of the accident acted as the primary caretaker for a dependant or adult in need. This benefit is intended to compensate for the cost of hiring someone to take over caregiver responsibilities when your injuries prevent you from doing so. If you have a catastrophic impairment, you may qualify for a caregiver benefit even if you did not purchase it as an optional benefit.
How can a personal injury lawyer help with filling out OCF-10?
Hiring a personal injury lawyer to help process your claim is recommended because it not only ensures you submit your forms on time – but that they are submitted correctly and in a manner that will put your best interests first.
Contact Preszler Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation and let us help you with filling out the OCF-10: Election of Income Replacement, Non-Earner or Caregiver Benefit.
