What type of disability benefit plan or program do you qualify for?

After surviving an accident or injury, the condition can make it impossible for you to work. If this is the case, you may be entitled to disability benefits. There are different kinds of benefits that you may qualify for depending on the circumstances of your case. It’s important to understand the common sources of disability income that you may qualify for.

Sick pay from an employer

Your employer may offer you sick pay as a workplace benefit but this is usually limited to a short period of time. If you qualify for sick pay, this is the first benefit you should apply for when you have been injured and unable to work.

Short-term disability benefits

Another workplace benefit offered by many employers is income for the next 1-3 months after an injury. However, the length of time that one qualifies for short-term disability benefits varies from employer to employer and it’s not offered by every organization.

Employment insurance sickness benefits

This is also offered by most employers as a workplace benefit in order to provide a temporary source of income for eligible workers for up to 15 weeks. To qualify for these benefits, your income after the injury must have reduced to 40%. You must also have earned 600 hours of insurable employment to qualify for these benefits.

Long-term disability benefits

If the disability will impact on your ability to work for several years, you may qualify for long-term disability benefits. These benefits are usually paid until the injured person reaches age 65. To be eligible, you must have a valid insurance policy or disability plan. Long-term disability benefits may be offered by your workplace group disability insurance. Your employer or union may also provide this policy as part of the workplace benefits. In other cases, individuals buy a disability insurance policy and pay for the premiums on their own.

Canada pension plan disability

Canadian workers who are under the age of 65 may be eligible for disability benefits as part of the Canada Pension Plan. If you have been making recent contributions to the Canada Pension Plan, you can receive benefits if you have been continuously disabled and off work for more than 4 months.

Disability tax credits

Disabled persons also get another benefit of a reduction in taxes because of the disability tax credits. This allows them to get a tax credit that reduces the amount of their income that is taxed. This also applies to family members who are supporting individuals living with a disability.

Workers compensation benefits

The law requires that most businesses in Canada enroll in a worker’s compensation program. For someone to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits your employer must have been enrolled in this program and the injury sustained must be work-related.

Income Support Programs: Canadian provinces also have their own disability income programs for their residents. These are usually the last resort when an individual doesn’t qualify for any other form of disability income.