WICA claim process for employers in Singapore: step by step
Stage 1: the day of the accident
The Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA) lets an injured employee claim without suing. For accidents from 1 September 2020, MOM states the claim is made once the employer is notified. The employee does not file a form to start it.
- Arrange first aid and medical treatment. The employer pays for treatment a Singapore-registered doctor or dentist considers necessary.
- Record the facts: date, time, place, task, witnesses and the employee's account.
- Photograph the scene and keep any equipment involved.
- Keep copies of every medical certificate (MC), light duty note and hospital bill.
- Note the date the employer was first told. Reporting deadlines run from that date.
For a fatal accident, notify MOM as soon as possible. The written report is due within 10 days of the accident date.
Stage 2: report to MOM within 10 days
MOM requires an incident report, called an iReport, for work accidents that lead to death, medical leave, hospitalisation or light duty.
- File the iReport through the myMOM Portal within 10 days of being first notified of a non-fatal accident.
- Report when in doubt. MOM asks employers to report if doubt remains after investigation.
- Amend the iReport when a doctor issues further MCs or light duty. Use the "Amend medical leave" function in the same eService.
- Keep a copy of the submitted report and each amendment.
The iReport serves two purposes. It records the accident for workplace safety enforcement, and it starts MOM's oversight of the compensation claim.
The same 10-day deadline applies to occupational diseases, counted from the date of diagnosis. Dangerous occurrences must also be reported within 10 days, even when no one is hurt.
Stage 3: notify the insurer
The WICA insurer handles the claim on the employer's behalf. Since 1 January 2021, WICA policies must be issued by an MOM-designated insurer on MOM's compulsory terms.
- Notify the insurer as soon as possible, with the iReport and medical documents.
- Send the employee's wage records. Average monthly earnings set the medical leave wages and the compensation.
- Keep the insurer's claim reference on every later document.
- Ask the broker to track the claim and chase the insurer's decisions.
A late notice can complicate recovery from the insurer. The employer still owes the employee wages and bills while the insurer reviews.
The insurer may appoint a loss adjuster or ask for witness statements. Prompt replies keep the claim inside MOM's usual timeline.
The broker's role in claims history is explained in the claims history FAQ.
Stage 4: pay wages and medical bills
The employer pays first and seeks reimbursement from the insurer. MOM sets the deadlines.
- Pay medical leave wages by the next payday after receiving the original MCs.
- Pay full average monthly earnings for the first 14 days of outpatient MC or light duty.
- Pay full earnings for the first 60 days of hospitalisation leave.
- Pay two-thirds of average monthly earnings after those periods, up to 1 year from the accident.
- Pay the hospital or clinic directly. If the employee paid, reimburse within 14 days of receiving the original bills.
- Submit wage slips and receipts to the insurer for reimbursement.
For accidents from 1 November 2025, medical expenses are covered up to S$53,000 or 1 year from the accident, whichever comes first.
Employers of foreign workers carry two more duties. They must provide food and accommodation during the claim. They must not send the worker home against the worker's wishes while the claim is open.
Stage 5: medical assessment and compensation
Once the injury stabilises, the treating doctor assesses any permanent incapacity as a percentage.
- Send the medical report form to the hospital or clinic when MOM or the insurer issues it, and pay the fee.
- Make sure the employee attends all medical appointments. Missed appointments can suspend the claim.
- Receive the notice of computation (NOC) from the insurer, for policies from 1 January 2021. For older policies, MOM issues a notice of assessment.
- Check the NOC. Any party may object within 14 days of service.
- Confirm the insurer pays within 21 days of service if no one objects.
MOM states most cases conclude within 8 months.
| Compensation, accidents from 1 November 2025 | Limit |
|---|---|
| Medical expenses | Up to S$53,000 or 1 year |
| Permanent incapacity | S$116,000 to S$346,000, multiplied by % incapacity |
| Death | S$91,000 to S$269,000 |
Stage 6: disputes and common law
WICA and a common law claim are alternatives. An employee who claims under WICA cannot sue for the same injury, and the reverse also applies.
- If the employer believes the claim is untrue or not work-related, write to the insurer or MOM with reasons and evidence.
- Expect the employee to choose within 1 year of the accident whether to claim under WICA or sue.
- Note the withdrawal windows. An employee may withdraw a WICA claim to sue before the NOC is issued, within 14 days of service if undisputed, or within 28 days if disputed.
- Notify the insurer at once if a lawsuit is threatened, with the letter of demand.
Failing to pay WICA compensation is an offence. MOM lists a fine of up to S$15,000, jail of up to 12 months, or both.
Checklist
- Arrange treatment and record the accident facts on the day.
- Note the date the employer was first told of the accident.
- File the iReport within 10 days; for a death, notify MOM immediately.
- Amend the iReport for every further MC or light duty.
- Notify the WICA insurer with the iReport, MCs and wage records.
- Pay medical leave wages by the next payday after receiving each MC.
- Pay medical bills directly, or reimburse the employee within 14 days.
- Provide food and housing for foreign workers until the claim closes.
- Return the medical report form and pay its fee.
- Check the notice of computation and object within 14 days if it is wrong.
- Confirm payment within 21 days if there is no objection.
- File every document under the insurer's claim reference.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays medical bills while the claim is assessed?
The employer pays the hospital or clinic, or reimburses the employee within 14 days of receiving the bills. The employer then claims reimbursement from its WICA insurer. Waiting for the insurer is not a reason to delay payment.
How long does MOM take to issue a Notice of Assessment?
For policies from 1 January 2021, the insurer issues a notice of computation, not MOM. MOM states most claims conclude within 8 months. Cases where the injury takes longer to stabilise take longer.
Can the employee sue instead of claiming under WICA?
Yes, but not both for the same injury. The employee has 1 year from the accident to choose. A WICA claim can be withdrawn to sue within set windows after the notice is served.
What records should the employer keep?
Keep the iReport and amendments, every MC and light duty note, medical bills, wage records and payment proofs. Keep all correspondence with the insurer and MOM. These records support reimbursement and any dispute.
Sources
General information only, not advice on any particular policy. Cover depends on the policy wording and the insurer's terms.