The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) has finalized a plan to distribute a refund of more than $1 billion dollars to Ohio’s private and public employers. This will be the third time in four years that the BWC has issued a refund to employers.

The BWC is preparing to send rebates to more than 200,000 private and public employers. Eligible employers will begin receiving checks in July totaling 66 percent of their premiums for the policy year that ended June 30, 2016 (calendar year 2015 for public employers). Further information on this rebate and eligibility requirements is available here.

In addition to this rebate, the BWC also announced a $44 million dollar investment in workplace safety, health and wellness. This initiative includes a new wellness program and funding for specific programs to help firefighters and those who work with children and adults with disabilities. It also includes an education campaign to address common injuries at work and in the home. A fact sheet on the initiative can be found here.