Completing an OCF-3 Disability Certificate can feel like a huge task, but it’s an important step toward securing the support you need if you're injured in a car accident. This Certificate plays an important role in helping you access insurance benefits, medical support, and more.
In this article, we’ll discuss the basics of this Certificate, including some tips on how to properly fill it out. If you need to complete this form because you got hurt in a vehicular accident, then this article is for you. Still, this is not a substitute for the assistance you can get from your personal injury lawyer.
What is OCF-3 Disability Certificate?
Under Ontario’s law on personal injury, every injured person is eligible for its statutory no-fault benefits. When claiming these benefits, one of the requirements is for the injured person to submit an OCF-3 Disability Certificate to their insurer.
The OCF-3 Disability Certificate is a document that contains all the information that your insurance company will need to know before granting your claim. This Certificate is issued by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSARO) and is submitted to your insurance company.
You will be using this Certificate if you’re injured in a motor vehicle accident, and when claiming the accident benefits and other financial aid from your auto insurance company. However, your insurer may need more documentation from you along with this form.
The purpose of submitting this certificate is to inform your insurer about:
- your specific injuries and impairments because of the vehicular accident
- the benefits you’re eligible for under the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS)
- The length of recovery for your injury (short- or long-term)
- the effect of these injuries to your ability to return to work
To learn more about Ontario’s no-fault insurance system, watch this video:
If you’re having second thoughts on how to properly file your OCF-3 Disability Certificate, consult one of the best personal injury lawyers in Canada as ranked by Lexpert.
The other Ontario Claim Forms (OCFs)
The OCF-3 Disability Certificate is just one of the many Certificates governed by the SABS, a regulation under the Insurance Act of Ontario. An Ontario Claim Form or OCF is required when filing a personal injury claim, such as a claim for accident benefits.
Aside from the OCF-3, below are the other certificates and forms that are commonly used for personal injury claims:
- OCF-1: Application for Accident Benefits
- OCF-2: Employer’s Confirmation of Income
- OCF-5: Permission to Disclose Health Information
- OCF-6: Expenses Claim Form
- OCF-10: Election of Income Replacement, Non-Earner, or Caregiver Benefit
- OCF-18: Treatment and Assessment Plan
- OCF-19: Application for Determination of Catastrophic Impairment
- OCF-21: Auto Insurance Standard Invoice
- OCF-23: Treatment Confirmation Form
- OCF-24: Minor Injury Treatment Discharge Report
Depending on your situation, and as your insurance company or the law requires, you may have to fill out several OCFs and submit other documents. If in doubt or if you’re overwhelmed by the volume of documents you need to submit, it’s better to consult a personal injury lawyer.
It must also be clear what forms you should complete, because each has its own deadlines. For example, an OCF-1 is needed if you’re applying for benefits because of a car accident, and you haven’t applied before for the benefits related to this same incident. OCF-1 must be submitted to your insurer within 30 days from the day of your accident, subject to your insurer’s approval for its late submission.
SABS benefits
While there are a lot of benefits that you may be entitled to, you’re only required to fill out an OCF-3 if you’re claiming the following benefits under the SABS:
- Income Replacement Benefits (IRBs)
- Caregiver Benefits
- Non-Earner Benefits (NEBs)
- Lost Educational Expenses
- Housekeeping and Home Maintenance Expenses
Learn more about your possible benefits under the SABS in our separate article.
Who needs to complete the OCF-3 Disability Certificate?
Primarily, it is the injured person who must fill out the OCF-3 Disability Certificate. However, there are certain parts of the form that can only be filled out by your health care professional.
Here’s a summary of the Certificate and who should complete each part:
- Parts 1 – 3: to be filled out by the applicant-injured person
- Part 4: to be filled out by the health practitioner, and signed by the applicant-injured person after the health practitioner’s explanations
- Parts 5 – 10: to be filled out by the health practitioner
This video briefly explains who needs to fill-out an OCF-3 Disability Certificate:
To help you narrow your search for a lawyer near your area, here’s the directory of the best personal injury lawyers in Ontario as ranked by Lexpert.
Substitute decision maker
Aside from the injured person, a substitute decision maker can fill out Parts 1 – 3, and sign Part 4, of the Certificate. Under the Substitute Decisions Act of Ontario, a substitute decision maker is one who has a power of attorney for personal care, or is a court appointed guardian.
This applies in situations where you become incapacitated caused by your injuries or disability after the car accident. Because you cannot personally fill out the Certificate, the law allows your substitute to fill out the form on your behalf.
Who is a “health practitioner”
In your OCF-3 Disability Certificate, it is listed who are considered qualified health practitioners who can fill out Parts 4 – 10. These are the following:
- chiropractor
- dentist
- nurse practitioner
- occupational therapist
- optometrist
- physician
- physiotherapist
- psychologist
- speech language pathologist
Your health practitioner should not just be anyone — it must be someone who personally examined you and your injuries.
What are the steps to complete an OCF-3 Disability Certificate?
First, the form is available from your insurance company or from the website of the FSRAO. Again, you would only have to fill out Parts 1 to 4 of the form; the rest would be filled out by your health practitioner.
After you and your health practitioner have completed this 5-page form, your health practitioner submits it to your insurance company (not with the other party’s insurer). To be sure, ask them or your personal injury lawyer what comes next after the document has been submitted.
Below, we’ll discuss the first four Parts of the Certificate, as these are the only relevant portions for you as the applicant-injured person.
Part 1: Applicant Information
In Part 1, you’ll be providing your personal information. Give particular attention to the details about your employment or education. Because some accident benefits are related to whether you’re working or still studying, these parts must be filled out correctly.
Part 1 uses the term “Employment Insurance.” If you’re unsure about what it means, then you can directly ask your employer.
Part 2: Insurance Company Information
Part 2 is simply your insurer’s information. You can easily find this by looking at your insurance policy, or by asking your insurer directly.
Part 3: Accident Description
It is in Part 3 where you will be giving your version of the accident’s story, which you must describe in full detail. You must also be consistent with your story on how the accident happened, such as with your earlier or other subsequent OCFs.
If the space in Part 3 is insufficient, you can check the box on “additional sheets attached” below the space, so that you won’t be limited when answering this important section.
Part 4: Your attestation and signature
Part 4 may be short, but it is an important part of the Certificate. Here, you’ll be attesting to the following:
- that all the information you provided in the Certificate are true
- that you understand that making a statement or representation to your insurer, that are either false or misleading, is prohibited under the Insurance Act
- that you understand that deceiving or defrauding your insurer is a criminal offense
- that all the information in the Certificate can be used to suppress fraud by the authorities
These attestations just show, and are a reminder, that all the information you have given must be true and correct. Otherwise, legal action can be taken against you, aside from your claim for personal injury benefits being rejected.
Tips when completing the OCF-3 Disability Certificate
Here are some practical tips to take note of when filling out your OCF-3 Disability Certificate:
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Be prompt in filling out the form: The Certificate must be returned to your insurance company within 15 days (about two weeks) after you receive their request to fill out one. Your health practitioner will then have 10 business days, after the date of the application, to complete the form. Following these timeframes are important, so that your claim will not be affected.
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Must be clear and concise: It’s important that all your information in the Certificate is true and exact, down to the smallest detail. It must also be complete and clear, because your insurer may reject your claim if there are false or unclear statements in your Certificate. Everything must be concise and cannot be subject to many interpretations.
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Prevent any alterations: Because the Certificate is issued by the FSRAO, this form cannot be altered in any way. It means that you cannot just change its structure, such as each Part, or how it looks. Otherwise, the Certificate will be considered incomplete, and your insurer may not accept the form.
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Do not leave any blanks: Aside from prohibitions on alterations and false statements, you must complete the form to the best of your ability. This includes not leaving any sections blank or it may be considered incomplete. This is to help your health practitioner and insurer make an informed decision on your case.
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Review before it’s submitted: While Parts 5 – 10 are completed by your health practitioner, you must at least review the details they’ve put there before it’s sent to your insurer. Know that any discrepancies or omissions will be taken against you by your insurer when deciding what benefits you’re entitled to.
As such, if you have a question or if there’s any unclear portion in the Certificate, immediately ask your insurer or your personal injury lawyer. It’s best to be guided by the professionals, rather than guessing around when filling out this important paperwork.
The OCF-3 Disability Certificate can be downloaded with this link from FSRAO.
OCF-3 Disability Certificate: that paper for your road to recovery
More than just paperwork, your OCF-3 Disability Certificate can have a huge impact when claiming for your statutory insurance benefits. This is why it’s important to have a clear understanding of what this Certificate is and how to properly file one. As you begin the application process, or when something goes sideways, remember that a personal injury lawyer is always available to guide you.
To know more about the OCF-3 Disability Certificate, get in touch with any of the Lexpert-ranked best personal injury law firms in Canada.