How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the Employment Incentives Program?

Employment Incentives Program is funded by Government of Nova Scotia, Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia (WCB)

What are Employment Incentives Program's eligibility criterias?

The program details are not clear from the provided information.

Employment Incentives Program

Last Update: January 24, 2025

Halifax, NS

Wage assistance for employers in Nova Scotia

Employment Incentives Program at a glance

Eligible Funding

Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : January 1, 1987

Financing Type

Wage Subsidies And Interns

Eligible Industries

All industries

Grant Providers

Government of Nova Scotia
Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia (WCB)

Status

Open

Overview of the Employment Incentives Program program

Get a forgivable loan to cover a worker's salary and benefits for the first period of their work term while they are training.

Financing terms and conditions

This grant provides a comprehensive framework of financial support to enable businesses to thrive while accommodating workers injured in the workplace. The financing modalities are designed to offer flexibility and support through various incentives for workplace modifications and wage assistance.

Financial coverage for workplace modifications, including equipment such as height-adjustable desks, ergonomic chairs, and wheelchair ramps.
Support for technological enhancements tailored to workers' needs, such as providing computer hardware, software, and modifications like wrist rests and large-screen monitors.
Forgivable wage assistance loan, starting with full coverage during the initial training period, reducing to 50% and eventually 25% as the employment term progresses.
Injury cost protection incentive, which ensures that compensation payments for workplace injuries during the EIP period do not affect the employer’s Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) assessment rate.

Eligible projects & activities

The Employment Incentives Program (EIP) offers various incentives aimed at assisting employers in providing accommodations for injured workers, thereby facilitating their re-entry into the workforce. The eligible activities under this program are designed to maximize business potential through financial and technical support.

Implementing workplace modifications to create an accessible working environment.
Providing technological enhancements for improved worker performance.
Offering wage assistance to support the hiring and training of injured workers.
Utilizing injury cost protection to manage financial risk associated with worker injuries.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 26,000

Onboarding a customer service representative for a sole proprietorship

$ 50,000

Hiring a marketing coordinator for a local food bank

$ 30,000

Hiring a youth outreach coordinator for a non-profit

$ 39,000

Integrating a new business analyst in a social enterprise

$ 22,500

Recruiting a financial advisor for a cooperative

$ 34,000

Onboarding a software developer at a tech startup

Eligibility criteria of the Employment Incentives Program program

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to participating employers and their commitments.

The employer must be capable of accommodating a worker who has been injured on the job.
The employer must be reasonably certain that the worker's full-time employment will continue after the EIP contract ends.
The employer must be willing to enter a contractual agreement specifying the terms, including wage assistance and required workplace modifications.
The employer must be open to working with a WCB Case Manager to design an EIP contract and identify incentives.

Who is eligible?

Employers in Nova Scotia seeking to hire and accommodate workers who have been injured on the job can apply for the Employment Incentives Program (EIP). This program is particularly beneficial for those employers who are able to provide a permanent role for these workers after the EIP contract period.

Eligible expenses

Eligible expenses for the Employment Incentives Program (EIP) include costs associated with workplace modifications, technological enhancements, wage assistance, and injury cost protection.

Costs for workplace modifications such as height-adjustable desks, ergonomic chairs, raised foot rests, and wheelchair ramps.
Technological support, including computer hardware and software, and modifications like wrist rests, enlarged or "split" keyboards, large-screen monitors, and voice-activated command consoles.
Wage assistance in the form of a forgivable loan that covers a worker’s salary and benefits on a decreasing scale over the employment period.
Protection from having compensation payments for workplace injuries charged against the employer's WCB account.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is specifically available to employers located in Nova Scotia, Canada, as outlined by the Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia. The program aims to enhance employment opportunities and workplace safety across the province.

Employers located in the province of Nova Scotia, Canada.
Nova Scotia regions covered by the Halifax and Sydney Workers' Compensation Board offices.

How to apply to the Employment Incentives Program program

Contact the WCB

Call the appropriate office to express your interest in the EIP program.
For the Halifax office, dial 902.491.8999 or toll-free at 1.800.870.3331.
For the Sydney office, dial 902.563.2444 or toll-free at 1.800.880.0003.

Arrange a Meeting

Request a meeting with a Case Manager in your area to discuss participation options.
This meeting comes with no obligations and is purely informational.

Design EIP Contract

Work with the Case Manager to design an EIP contract tailored to your needs and the worker's suitability.
The contract will outline the terms of participation, including wage assistance and any workplace modifications required.

Submit Application

Complete any required paperwork with the assistance of the Case Manager to formally apply for the program.
Ensure all contractual agreements and documentation are finalized as per the guidelines provided during the meeting.

Additional information

Here are additional relevant details for the Employment Incentives Program (EIP):

EIP contracts specify the length of the agreement and detail wage assistance and covered costs for specialized equipment or workplace modifications.
Participation includes technical and financial incentives for employers, designed to increase business competitiveness while reintegrating workers into the workforce.
The program ensures any workplace injury compensation costs during the EIP period are not charged against the employer's WCB account, protecting against increases in assessment rates.
Wage assistance is provided as a forgivable loan, which covers decreasing portions of the worker's salary over time, contingent upon continued full-time employment post-contract.
The EIP contract helps facilitate the development of a fully accessible and safe work environment, potentially benefiting from both modification and technological enhancement incentives.
An EIP involves a collaboration process with a WCB Case Manager to tailor the contract according to specific employer and worker needs.
The program has been operational since 1987, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to assisting injury recovery and employment reintegration.

Contact Government of Nova Scotia

902.491.8999

Apply to this program

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