Are Employers Legally Required to Provide Long-Term Disability?
No, Canadian employers are not legally required to provide long-term disability to their staff members. Even so, many companies choose to offer disability programs as a way of caring for their employees so that they may someday return to the job. Many employers also offer other paid leave programs to help their employees like short-term disability, which may last up to several months in some cases. There are also sick leave options if the illness only lasts a few days or weeks.
Not to be ignored, many Canadian provinces legally require paid time off for vacations, with two-week minimums in many instances. However, this may do little to help you if you have a disability that affects you both physically and financially for the foreseeable future. In the event that your company does not offer long-term disability, programs like the Canadian Pension Program (CPP) may pay an amount for a period that may last up to several years, according to the Government of Canada. The Canadian government estimates that long-term disability programs may cover qualifying claimants around 60 to 85% of their average income, depending on the provider. If you qualify for CPP disability benefits, you will receive a monthly payment based on the government’s predetermined amounts.
Documentation May Help When Making Long-Term Disability Claims
When filing a long-term disability claim, it may help your case if you document your injuries, fill out the appropriate paperwork, and are up to date on payments. Some people living with disabilities choose to enlist the services of a long-term disability benefits lawyer to help them file legal proceedings after their claim has been denied. In these cases, the lawyer may be able to gather evidence and documentation of the disability so that payments may be approved.
It is advised that a potential filer thoroughly document their ailments through a medical professional. After receiving a diagnosis, and during all proceedings leading up to it, the afflicted individual should save their paperwork and confirm that it details the exact nature of their disability. Without extensive documentation and recommendations from medical professionals, some insurers may not approve your disability benefits.
Having Multiple Policies Is Possible But Limited
While it is possible to receive two or more long-term disability policies at the same time, they may likely offset one another if one of the policies deals with a non-profit organization like the Canada Pension Plan. If a private provider finds out that you are receiving further payments, they may likely act to decrease the amount they are paying you. For an example of how these payments might offset: If the insurance company was paying you $2,000 a month for your long-term disability, and then you end up qualifying for CPP in the amount of $1,000 per month, the long term disability insurance will reduce your payment to $1,000 a month. The decrease would then bring the total back to the original sum of $2,000, thus offsetting the payments and continuing the original amount of economic assistance.
Get a Long-Term Disability Benefits Lawyer
The lawyers at Preszler Injury Lawyers are proud to continue serving Ontarians who may be having difficulties with their long-term disability claims. Our lawyers may be able to investigate your case and file the appropriate paperwork. Our goal is to present your case and fight for your eligibility for compensation. Our lawyers would love to learn about the details of your disability claim so that we may move forward in your legal battle for compensation.
To learn more about our services, contact a Preszler Injury Lawyers team member today at 1-800-JUSTICE to schedule a consultation.
