how to get financial support while you wait for long-term benefits
the delay in receiving benefits can create a financial burden, especially if the individual is unable to work and has no other sources of income.
3 minute read
if you have a low income and are struggling to cover basic needs, you might also be eligible for the federal guaranteed income supplement (gis). this program is available to low-income seniors who are already receiving the old age security (oas) pension.
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short and long-term disability applicants frequently encounter delays in the processing of their claims. insurance companies may take a long time to review applications, request additional information, or conduct their own medical evaluations, which can prolong the waiting period for benefits.
financial strain is a significant concern for many applicants. the delay in receiving benefits can create a financial burden, especially if the individual is unable to work and has no other sources of income. this can add to the stress and anxiety of dealing with a disability.
we assisted a client with a long-term disability benefit denial and due to the severity of their injury, they were unable to work and subsequently had no income. without savings or other financial support, they struggled to pay for essential expenses such as mortgage payments, utilities, groceries, and other everyday expenses. the good news is there are programs available to canadians, as long as you qualify.
while in a waiting period, different income supplement programs may be available depending on your situation, such as short-term disability benefits (often for the first 120 days after becoming disabled), employment insurance, sickness benefits, canada pension plan disability benefits, ontario disability support program benefits or income replacement benefits if your disability was caused by a motor vehicle accident. and, if you don’t have short term disability insurance, but qualify for long-term disability, ei sickness benefits may be an option.
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employment insurance (ei) sickness benefits are a form of federal financial assistance provided by the canadian government to individuals who are unable to work due to illness, injury, or quarantine. these benefits are designed to offer temporary income support while the individual recovers and is unable to earn their usual income.
to qualify for ei sickness benefits, applicants must have accumulated at least 600 hours of insurable employment during the qualifying period, which is generally the 52 weeks prior to the start of the claim or since the start of their last ei claim, whichever is shorter. additionally, they must provide a medical certificate to substantiate their inability to work.
ei sickness benefits provide eligible recipients with up to 55% of their average insurable weekly earnings, up to a maximum amount that is updated annually. this financial support helps cover essential living expenses during the period when the individual is unable to work due to health reasons.
the duration of ei sickness benefits is limited. eligible individuals can receive these benefits for a maximum of 15 weeks. this period is intended to offer short-term support while the individual recovers and prepares to return to work or seeks other forms of assistance if their condition persists.
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when your employment insurance sick benefits are about to run out, one of the primary alternatives to consider is the canada pension plan (cpp) disability benefits. this program is designed for individuals who have made sufficient contributions to the cpp and have a severe and prolonged disability that prevents them from working. to qualify, you must be under the age of 65 and meet specific medical and contribution criteria. the application process involves submitting detailed medical documentation and may take several months for approval, so it’s advisable to start the process early.
for those with disabilities, provincial or territorial disability support programs may be available. these programs are specifically designed to assist individuals with long-term disabilities and provide financial aid, medical benefits and support services. in ontario, this program is called the ontario disability support program (odsp).
if you have a low income and are struggling to cover basic needs, you might also be eligible for the federal guaranteed income supplement (gis). this program is available to low-income seniors who are already receiving the old age security (oas) pension. although it is primarily aimed at seniors, this program can be beneficial if you are approaching retirement age and facing financial difficulties due to health issues.
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nainesh kotak, is the founder of kotak personal injury law, a firm focusing on protecting their client’s rights to justice and obtaining the compensation their clients deserve. he was past chair of the long-term disability section of the ontario trial lawyers’ association.
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