When you’re injured at work and your injuries affect your ability to maintain your home and
personal independence, you may be eligible for a Home Independence and Maintenance Allowance (IHMA) under your Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) claim. Unfortunately, these allowances are not always easy to get approved. Many workers are denied this essential support—even when they clearly need help maintaining a safe and functional living space.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the best tips and strategies for getting the IHMA accepted on your WCB claim. Whether you’re applying for the first time or appealing a denial, these proven steps can significantly improve your chances.
What is the IHMA?
The Independence and Home Maintenance Allowance is a benefit provided by WorkSafeBC and other workers’ compensation boards across Canada to assist injured workers with necessary home upkeep when their compensable condition prevents them from doing this work themselves.
The allowance typically helps with:
- House cleaning
- Lawn and yard maintenance
- Snow removal
- Minor home maintenance tasks that directly affect safety or daily function
To be eligible, the worker must show that the need is related to their compensable injury and that the service is medically necessary to support their independence.
Top 6 Tips to Get Your IHMA Approved
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Build a Strong Medical Foundation
The first and most important step is ensuring your medical evidence supports the need for assistance. Your treating physicians, occupational therapists, and specialists must clearly outline:
- What physical or psychological restrictions you have
- How those restrictions impact your ability to maintain your home
- Why the assistance is necessary for your safety, health, and independence
For example, if you have PTSD and are unable to leave the house, a letter from your psychologist should explain how yard maintenance triggers panic attacks or intrusive thoughts, making it unsafe for you to perform that task.
Tip: Ask your healthcare provider to refer specifically to the need for functional independence and injury-related limitations. Use language that aligns with WCB policy.
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Obtain a Functional Capacity Assessment (FCE)
An Occupational Therapist (OT) or Physiotherapist can perform a Functional Capacity Evaluation to document your physical capabilities. This report can be extremely helpful in demonstrating:
- The types of tasks you are unable to perform
- How long you can safely sustain activity
- Whether pain, fatigue, or mental health symptoms limit function
If your FCE shows you cannot vacuum, mow a lawn, or safely use a ladder, that becomes solid evidence in support of an IHMA.
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Show Consistency Between Medical and Personal Statements
WCB will assess your claim holistically. If your personal statements contradict what your doctors say, or if surveillance or case manager notes suggest you’re doing more than you report, your claim may be denied.
Ensure your statements to WCB are consistent with your medical reports. Be specific about:
- Which tasks you can do, and which you can’t
- How long tasks take you
- The consequences of trying to do them
Example: “After attempting to clean my bathroom, I experience severe pain and require a full day of rest due to my chronic low back condition.”
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Document Past and Present Function
A major factor in IHMA claims is the before-and-after picture of your home maintenance. Clearly outline:
- What tasks you were responsible for before the injury
- What tasks you can no longer complete
- Who helps you now (family, friends, paid help)
- Any costs you’ve incurred paying for these services
Providing receipts for yardwork, cleaning, or snow removal already being paid out-of-pocket demonstrates real impact.
Tip: A detailed affidavit or declaration outlining your decline in function and added costs can strengthen your case.
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Connect Services to Health and Safety
WCB policies often approve IHMA for tasks that, if left undone, would result in a deterioration of health or pose a safety risk.
Examples include:
- Inability to remove ice buildup leading to falls
- Mold growth from being unable to clean bathrooms
- Fire hazards due to clutter or inability to maintain electrical appliances
Explain clearly how a lack of maintenance puts your health at risk. Photographs of unsafe conditions or letters from public health inspectors can be persuasive evidence.
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Appeal Strategically if Denied
If your request for an IHMA is denied, don’t give up. You can request a Review Division appeal or submit additional evidence to your case manager.
In your appeal, focus on:
- What WCB policy says (e.g., RSCM II policy items #117.30 and #118.00)
- What new or previously overlooked evidence you are presenting
- Clarifying how your injury continues to prevent essential home tasks
Pro Tip: Refer to WorkSafeBC’s own policies and noteworthy decisions in your submission to show how similar cases were approved.
Final Thoughts
Getting an IHMA approved can take persistence, but with the right evidence and a strategic approach, many workers are successful. The key is to clearly connect your medical condition to your functional limitations and show that the requested services are essential to maintaining your health and independence.
If you’re unsure where to begin or have already been denied, consider reaching out to a worker representative, union advocate, or disability consultant with experience navigating WCB appeals. They can help ensure your evidence is presented clearly and persuasively.
Need Help?
At Union & Corporate Disability Consulting (UCDC), we specialize in assisting workers with complex WCB claims, including IHMA applications and appeals. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.