Extension to the Prescribed Amount (for weekly payments)
An extension to the Prescribed Amount for weekly payments may be available to some workers who have a permanent total incapacity for work. An additional amount to a maximum of 75 per cent of the Prescribed Amount may be granted.

Workers can apply to WorkCover WA’s Dispute Resolution Directorate for an extension. The Dispute Resolution Directorate will take into account whether your social and financial circumstances justify an extension and your reasonable financial needs when considering eligibility for an extension.

Extension to the Prescribed Amount (for medical expenses)
There is a set maximum amount for medical payments in the workers' compensation system. Currently the maximum amount is $45,621. You can apply to WorkCover WA’s Dispute Resolution Directorate (DRD) for an extension of your medical expenses. The DRD will take into account whether your social and financial circumstances justify an extension and your reasonable financial needs when considering eligibility for an extension.

If you exhaust the medical entitlement, an additional $2000 for medical and related expenses will be available while you pursue an extension of the medical entitlement.

Exceptional and special payments or entitlements
If a worker meets an exceptional medical circumstances test and has a whole person impairment of not less than 15% an Arbitrator of the Dispute Resolution Directoate can grant an extension of up to $250,000 beyond the additional $50,000 for medical expenses incurred, or likely to be incurred if you meet certain criteria.

Click on the Exceptional Circumstances Medical Payments publication in the panel to your right for further information on the criteria required to access these payments.

If you accept exceptional circumstances payments you automatically waive your right to pursue common law damages.

Specalised retraining programs
These programs are available to assist a small number of workers for whom formal training or study is the only option for them to return to the workforce. Workers must meet strict retraining criteria and impairment levels to be considered for these programs. Click on the Specialilsed Retraining brochure in the publications section to your right for further information.

Assessment of permanent whole of person impairment
Your access to certain benefits within the workers' compensation system will be determined by your impairment level. The percentage of permanent whole of person impairment (WPI) is determined using a standard methodology and can only be conducted by an approved medical specialist.

To find out more about this process read the brochure entitled When do I need an Approved Medical Specialist in the publications section on your right

Find an approved medical specialist (AMS) by using the AMS search.

Further information
To find out more about exceptional entitlements, contact WorkCover WA's Advisory Services on 1300 794 744 or download the linked publications on the panel on the right, or talk to your employer or medical practitioner.