One would consider filing a disability claim if they have endured a sudden injury or illness that has prohibited them from working. These instances often lead to a downfall in the maintenance of the social, economic and health standards that an individual once had secured.
Long Term Disability Insurance
Some employers equip their staff with benefit packages that include long-term disability insurance. This is to protect both the employer and the employee of any losses that may occur due to sudden illness or injury.
Common Insurance Companies that employers use include, but is not limited to:
- Great West Life
- Sun Life Financial
- Manulife
- Blue Cross
If your employer has not supplied you with an insurance benefits package, and you are suffering medically, financially and/or socially due to a sudden illness or injury, then it may be wise to contact an attorney for disability benefits.
The Canadian government provides several agencies to help those who do not have insurance and need access to long-term disability support.
CPP Disability Benefits
- A disability program supported by the Federal government, under the authority of the Department of Employment and Social Development Canada.
- Administered by Service Canada
- Available to those who have paid into the Canada Pension Plan.
- Disability benefits are paid monthly and are set to cover costs you endure after becoming unable to work due to an injury, illness or other medical condition.
- To review the application, or to begin the application process, click here: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/fi-if/index.jsp?app=prfl&frm=isp1151
ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program)
- A disability program supported by the Provincial government, administered under the authority of the Department of Employment and Social Development Canada.
- Available to those with a disability, providing:
- Financial assistance for essential living expenses
- Family benefits including prescription drug and vision care
- Career counseling, placement, and advancement.
To apply for ODSP Income support, you must meet the definition of a “person with a disability”, founded in the ODSP Act:
“Meeting the definition means that:
- you have a substantial mental or physical impairment that is continuous or recurrent, and is expected to last one year or more and
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your impairment directly results in a substantial restriction in your ability to work, care for yourself, or take part in community life and
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your impairment, its duration and restrictions have been verified by an approved health care professional”
OR you are a member of a prescribed class:
“Members of prescribed classes include:
- A person who, on May 31, 1998, was a recipient, or the spouse of a recipient, of benefits under specific case classes under the Family Benefits Act, 1992.
** A person who is 65+ years old and not eligible for _Old Age Security (OAS)._
** People who receive either of these disability pension benefits: - _A person who was a former resident of a Schedule 1 facility under the former Development Service Act (DSA), who ceased to be resident of that facility on or after June 1, 1998._The Schedule 1 facilities under the former DSA include Huronia Regional Centre (Orillia), Rideau Regional Centre (Smith Falls) and Southwestern regional Centre (Blenheim).
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A person who is already determined eligible for services and supports and funding under the _Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008 (SIPDDA). This includes:_
- persons living in the community as a renter, owner, a tenant or a border
- persons living in an intensive support residence as defined under the SIPDDA
- persons living in a supported group living residence as defined under SIPDDA
- Visit Developmental Services Ontario_ to learn more about eligibility for adult developmental services_
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Persons residing in one of the following places (but only while residing there):
- A facility that was a former Provincial Psychiatric Hospital
- The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health_ (in Toronto)_
- The Homewood Health Centre_ (in Guelph)_
- A home licensed under the Homes for Special Care Act_”_
It is important to remember that timing is key when filing a disability claim.
Your disability claim may be granted or denied based on how thorough you’ve approached the application process, what supporting evidence you’ve provided to sustain your claim for personal injury or sudden illness, and making sure to file by the deadlines put in place during the beginning of the application process.
You want to avoid any grounds for denial, and the first step is having a well put-together claim.
If you have any questions or concerns about your disability claim, if you or a loved one have been denied long term disability benefits either through a private insurance, or government agency, contact us now. We are here to help.
