Complete Resolution

The Panel of Administrators approved amendments to the Board's policies on commutation. The main policies affected are policy items #45.10 and 45.20 in both volumes of the Rehabilitation Services and Claims Manual. The amended policies raise the threshold for automatic commutation from $100 per month to $200 per month. The requirement that the capitalized value of the award not exceed $40,000 is retired. In addition, policy that allowed a worker to choose a lump sum award or periodic payments where the disability award was between $100 and $125 per month and the commuted value was between $40,000 and $60,000 is also retired. Finally, policy was amended to remove the prohibition on granting a commutation of a permanent disability award above a specified threshold amount where the award is calculated under section 23(3) of the Act. The amendments came into effect on October 1, 2002. You may view Appendices A & B to the right.