Can I Still Get Ohio Workers’ Comp Benefits if I Move to Another State?

If you were injured at work and are receiving workers’ compensation benefits, you know how tough it was to get approved. The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) is strict when reviewing and approving claims to help reduce fraud and ensure that only eligible injured workers get these important benefits.

Because of the difficult nature of getting benefits—and their importance to your family’s financial situation—you definitely don’t want to lose them under any circumstances until you are entirely recovered and ready to go back to work.

But what happens if you need to move to another state, especially knowing that workers’ compensation is not a federal program but rather a state-run program? Are your benefits lost if your address is no longer an Ohio one? Our blog covers what happens in this situation.

You Can Keep Your Ohio Workers’ Comp Benefits if You Move to Another State

There are many reasons why you might need to move out of Ohio. Thankfully, the BWC has provisions for people who are already receiving workers’ compensation benefits and who need to move to other states, and it allows those people to continue receiving their benefits.

However, there are a few important steps you need to take if you move out of state in order to continue receiving benefits.

• Update your contact information with the BWC: Download and complete the Injured Workers’ Change of Contact Information Form C-77 and fax it to the BWC at 1-866-336-8352 or mail it to your local BWC office. If you are also changing bank accounts—for example, starting an account with a local credit union—let the BWC know as soon as possible, so your payments can be deposited in the new account.

• Tell your doctor about your move: People who receive workers’ comp in Ohio must see BWC-approved medical providers periodically as they recover or receive treatments. Because these certified medical providers work with the BWC, they are typically only in Ohio. Your doctor can make arrangements for you to return to Ohio for your exams or recommend eligible doctors that are closer to the state you’re moving to. You also may be able to find a BWC-certified doctor in the state you’re moving to.

• Consider settling your claim before you move: It’s possible to get a one-time lump-sum payment of your workers’ comp benefits via a settlement. This can make the process of moving to another state smoother for you and your family, as you won’t have to worry about attending mandatory exams in Ohio or dealing with the potential complications to your claim of living in another state.

• Contact an Ohio workers’ compensation lawyer: Unfortunately, it’s all too easy for workers who were injured in Ohio to lose their benefits when they move to other states. Although that doesn’t happen automatically, it can and does happen because of missed paperwork, missed deadlines, and inaccurate information. A lawyer can help you avoid common pitfalls when moving to another state and maximize your chances of keeping your full benefits for as long as you need them.

We Can Help with All of Your Ohio Workers’ Compensation Questions and Needs

Workers’ compensation applications are never something to take lightly. If you’re applying for the first time, getting approved quickly and easily can be a big relief for your entire family. And if you’ve already applied and were denied, getting your appeal approved can also take a lot of financial stress off your shoulders.

At Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy, our Ohio workers’ compensation lawyers want to help you with your claim, whether you’re applying for the first time, appealing the BWC’s decision, or even ensuring your benefits don’t get canceled due to a move, job change, or other change in life circumstances.

Contact us today for a free consultation. We want to help you get or keep the benefits you deserve.

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