Clothing Policy 25-008 | Effective Date: September 25, 2025

Policy

WorkSafeNB determines the provision of and reimbursement amounts for clothing in the following instances:

• Clothing is needed as medical aid to treat the compensable injury;
• Clothing needs to be repaired or replaced because of damage due to a compensable accident;
• Clothing is needed to be repaired or replaced because of damage from wearing a prosthesis, orthosis, or use of a wheelchair; or
• Clothing is needed for participation in a return to work program.

WorkSafeNB requires receipts for all reimbursements. For maximum reimbursement amounts please see Fee Schedule 29-557 Clothing.

WorkSafeNB does not reimburse the cost of:

• Personal items such as jewellery;
• Clothing and footwear paid for by the employer; or
• Specialized clothing and footwear paid for by the employer.

Interpretation

Treatment of compensable injury

1. Clothing may be approved as medical aid and reimbursed at cost when:

• Prescribed by a licensed health care provider; and
• WorkSafeNB  determines they are necessary for treatment of the compensable injury.

2. Prescribed footwear is limited to orthopaedic footwear (shoes, boots, and inserts) to overcome the disability as a result of the injury. Prescribed footwear may necessitate custom-made or modified footwear. Such footwear is typically purchased from a qualified footcare professional as traditional footwear retailers generally do not meet specific medical needs.

3. WorkSafeNB may repair or replace up to two  pairs of custom-made or modified footwear and gloves every 12 months. To approve reimbursement costs, WorkSafeNB considers

• The medical evidence of ongoing need by reason of compensable injury; and
• The condition of the existing footwear or gloves.

Damage due to an accident

4. WorkSafeNB reimburses the cost of repairing or replacing clothing damaged in a compensable accident up to the maximum amounts outlined in the fee schedule. WorkSafeNB may also reimburse the cost of replacing specialized clothing or footwear such as chainsaw pants.

Damage by a medical apparatus

5. WorkSafeNB reimburses the repair or replacement of clothing when damaged from use of a compensable medical apparatus (prosthesis, orthosis or wheelchair), subject to the maximum amounts set out in the fee schedule. Workers with multiple amputations may be entitled to additional reimbursement.

Return to work

6. WorkSafeNB may approve specific clothing required to aid workers in return to work when they are unable to return to their pre-accident occupation by reason of their injury. Eligible costs are reimbursed up to the maximum amounts outlined in the fee schedule, once per return to work plan.

Tax Implications

Medical aid is generally considered a medical expense and not reportable on a T5007.

Clothing that is not medical aid is generally not an eligible medical expense and will be reported on a T5007.

Previous versions

• Policy 25-008 Clothing and Footwear, release 5, effective July 1, 2024
• Policy 25-008 Clothing and Footwear, release 4, effective January 1, 2020
• Policy 25-008 Clothing and Footwear, release 3, effective August 5, 2015