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?

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?

The FROI form still requires the SSN because this is usually the first document the department receives and the SSN is the only unique identifier DLI has to set up the claim. All other forms will require either the SSN or the WID number.

Frequently asked questions about WID numbers
1.	How will the WID number be communicated?
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? The FROI form still requires the SSN because this is usually the first document the department receives and the SSN is the only unique identifier DLI has to set up the claim. All other forms will require either the SSN or the WID number.