Workers' compensation -- worker identification (WID) number

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry's Safety and Workers' Compensation Division announces a new worker identification -- or WID -- number that may be used instead of a Social Security number to identify claims.

The WID number is person-specific: a unique two- to eight-character number is automatically generated within the Safety and Workers' Compensation Division computer system when a claim-creating document is received (such as a claim petition where a First Report of Injury form has not been filed).

The WID number may be used rather than the Social Security number, with the date of injury, to identify a specific case file.

Modified workers' compensation forms that allow for the WID or Social Security number to be used became available online in June 2008. At that time, correspondence from the Department of Labor and Industry also began including both the WID and Social Security numbers.

Frequently asked questions about WID numbers

1. How will the WID number be communicated?

The Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) will be including the WID number and the SSN on any correspondence coming from the department for both existing and new cases.

Parties to a claim wanting to use the WID number on claim-related documents instead of the SSN, can either wait to see the WID number on a document generated by the division or request the WID number in writing. A person who does not have authorized access to the division file must file a properly executed authorization form with the division to obtain the WID number.

If you are filing a document with the Safety and Workers' Compensation Division and don't have the WID number for a particular case, continue to use the SSN -- both types of numbers are currently acceptable.

2. Can I get the WID number versions of forms in Word format?

3. Is use of the WID number mandatory? If not, will it be in the near future?

4. Will the WID number be used only on new claims or will numbers be assigned to current cases as well?

5. Are there any other changes on the forms, in addition to the WID number?

6. When I access the FROI form from the DLI Web site, it still shows the 443 Lafayette Road N. address. Shouldn't this form be sent to a P.O. box?

7. When will the FROI form be changed to add a WID number to the SSN field?

Frequently asked questions about WID numbers
1.	How will the WID number be communicated? The Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) will be including the WID number and the SSN on any correspondence coming from the department for both existing and new cases. Parties to a claim wanting to use the WID number on claim-related documents instead of the SSN, can either wait to see the WID number on a document generated by the division or request the WID number in writing. A person who does not have authorized access to the division file must file a properly executed authorization form with the division to obtain the WID number. If you are filing a document with the Safety and Workers' Compensation Division and don't have the WID number for a particular case, continue to use the SSN -- both types of numbers are currently acceptable.
2.	Can I get the WID number versions of forms in Word format?
3.	Is use of the WID number mandatory? If not, will it be in the near future?
4.	Will the WID number be used only on new claims or will numbers be assigned to current cases as well?
5.	Are there any other changes on the forms, in addition to the WID number?
6.	When I access the FROI form from the DLI Web site, it still shows the 443 Lafayette Road N. address. Shouldn't this form be sent to a P.O. box?
7.	When will the FROI form be changed to add a WID number to the SSN field?