Ontario’s Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS): Every Benefit You’re Entitled To

What Is the SABS?

The Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (O. Reg. 34/10) governs the no-fault insurance benefits available to anyone injured in an Ontario motor vehicle accident. Benefits are paid by your own auto insurer regardless of who caused the accident. The SABS sets out every benefit type, its monetary limit, eligibility criteria, and the process for obtaining it.

Medical and Rehabilitation Benefits

For non-catastrophically injured claimants, SABS provides a combined pool of up to $65,000 for medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care benefits. This covers physiotherapy, chiropractic care, psychological counselling, occupational therapy, prescription medications, and approved medical devices. For catastrophically designated claimants, this limit rises to $1,000,000.

Income Replacement Benefits

Claimants unable to perform their pre-accident employment duties are entitled to 70% of gross weekly income, up to $400 per week under standard coverage. Optional enhanced coverage can raise this to $1,000 per week.

Non-Earner Benefits

For claimants without employment income — students, homemakers, retirees under 65 — the non-earner benefit provides $185 per week after a 26-week waiting period, subject to a demanding “complete inability to carry on a normal life” standard.

Attendant Care Benefits

Where injuries require personal care assistance, attendant care benefits of up to $3,000/month (non-catastrophic) or $6,000/month (catastrophic) are available. A Form 1 assessment by an occupational therapist or registered nurse establishes the monthly amount.

Caregiver and Dependent Care

If you were a primary caregiver for a dependent before the accident and can no longer perform those duties, caregiver benefits are available for catastrophic claimants and through optional coverage for others.

Death and Funeral Benefits

Where a person dies as a result of an Ontario motor vehicle accident, SABS provides a $25,000 death benefit to the surviving spouse and $10,000 to each dependent, plus funeral expenses up to $6,000.