Navigating Disability with Me – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Welcome to Navigating Disability with Me, with Meghan and Pam! Meghan is a person with lived experience of disability and Pam is an able bodied person who has been a friend and support to several people in her life living with disabilities.

Overview of the short term disability process including sick time, EI qualifications, and working with your employer

Feedback: navigatingdisabilitywithme@gmail.com

Links:

CRA EI estimator calculator: https://estimateurae-eiestimator.service.canada.ca/en

North Shore Disability Resource Centre: https://www.nsdrc.org/

Disability Alliance of BC: https://disabilityalliancebc.org

Deltassist: https://deltassist.com/

Volunteer Cancer Drivers: https://volunteercancerdrivers.ca/

Wheels of Hope: https://csl.cancer.ca/en/Detail/1a9b6c6c-ea2d-ec11-b6e5-000d3a333c22

Tips:

1) If you have sick days, don't abuse them! You may need them for a disability. Do not treat any insurance payout as a windfall. That is supplementing your income.

2) For 2025: EI maxes out at 55% of your earnings at a cap of $695/week. Generally for a maximum of 45 weeks. This is taxable (confirmed post recording).

3) Read your collective agreement/union book/corporate policies on sick time, special leaves etc. Ask a knowledeable colleague or the union any questions.

4) Contact your union with any questions, search out your union disability rep.

5) Have a trusted friend/family member help with/proofread paperwork, applications etc. Or look for a local disability resource group - be patient!

6) Pace yourself through paperwork, get it done with time to spare. Be patient as everything takes lots of time to be processed.

7) Print out an extra copy of anything your doctor has to fill in. Fill it out yourself, using daily challenges as examples. Take that to the doctor with you so you can discuss and not miss any points when the doctor is filling in the official copy.

8) If forced into an excessive functional assessment (your doctor's documentation isn't enough to satisfy the insurance company) go in to the assessor. But book a GP appointment ahead of time for right after the assessment. At the assessment, the moment you start having symptoms stop, tell them what is happening (if it can't be seen) and why you can't continue, leave. If it's a 2 day assessment do the same the next day. Then go in to your GP appointment to have this all documented in your chart.

9) Check if you can continue to pay out any remaining sick time once you're on long term disability, as a top up. Other option is to save it for if you go back to work.

10) Google multiple variations of "(My town/region/province) Disability Benefits" to see what benefits or programs exist in your area.

First in a two part series (Part 2 can be found in upcoming Episode 4) on Long Term Disability in Canada, specifically BC. 

Feedback: navigatingdisabilitywithme@gmail.com

Links

1. 1. Health Connect Registry BC (to find a GP/NP): https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/find-care/health-connect-registry
   2. Maple: https://www.getmaple.ca/
   3. Telus My Care: https://www.telus.com/en/health/my-care

Tips (your mileage may vary!)

1. 1. Know your benefits package! Ideally read up when you are hired, but once you’re disabled you really have to get to know the packages. Talk to your union rep or company resource person with questions.
   2. Don’t forget that you might have benefits/requirements through your professional body.
   3. If you’re self employed, ideally you have paid for disability or critical health insurance.
   4. Do you have extra disability insurance through your credit card? 
   5. LTD comes in different forms - insurance company may be the payer or simply the administrator. Clarify what yours is.
   6. Keep notes of all interactions with insurance company, with names and dates. Save emails in a folder.
   7. Take note of your folio (Disability I.D.) number, which is generated by the insurance company. It’s different from your general insurance group or ID number.
   8. If multiple people are helping a disabled person communication is key! Be clear about who is doing what, and respect the disabled person’s wishes.
   9. Respect your boss, union rep, HR and each of their roles.
   10. Pace yourself through LTD applications.
   11. Find out what your qualifying period is for LTD. Get applications done early if possible as you don’t want a gap in pay between STD and LTD. So if your LTD kicks in at the 5 month mark of disability, get the LTD application in at the 3.5 month mark (or early for whatever is required by your insurance company).
   12. If you don’t have a GP try to stick to one walk in clinic to keep all your files are in one place.
   13. Specialist MDs may be an option for filling in applications, if you can get in, or already have an appointment scheduled.
   14. Don’t forget online medical platforms like Maple or Telus My Care, which may be able to help with applications. 
   15. Print out an extra copy of anything your doctor has to fill in. Fill it out yourself, using daily challenges as examples. Take that to the doctor with you so you can discuss and not miss any points when the doctor is filling in the official copy.
   16. Give real life examples of your limitations and symptoms on applications.
   17. Consult your relevant allied health professionals when filling in forms for their insight. Relay to GP or get their reports.
   18. Respect the insurance company reps, remembering that they are not your friends.
   19. Do not post unthinkingly on social media - people can easily misinterpret.
   20. Expect a functional assessment in the first year on LTD. If forced into an excessive functional assessment (your doctor's documentation isn't enough to satisfy the insurance company) go in to the assessor. But book a GP appointment ahead of time for right after the assessment. At the assessment, the moment you start having symptoms stop, tell them what is happening (if it can't be seen) and why you can't continue, leave. If it's a 2 day assessment do the same the next day. Then go in to your GP appointment to have this all documented in your chart.

Discussion on how your community can support you and how you can contribute back to the community.

Feedback: Navigatingdisabilitywithme@gmail.com

Links Discussed in this Episode

North Shore Disability Resource Centre: https://nsdrc.org

And a few more similar resources from around the country:

Disability alliance of BC: https://disabilityalliancebc.org/

Inclusion Alberta: https://inclusionalberta.org

Centre for Independent Living Toronto: https://cilt.ca/

Tips

1) Google "(My town/region/province etc.) Disabled Benefits" or "(My town etc.) Disability Programs" etc. to find all sorts of programs, benefits, discounts etc.

2) Be part of the community, do what you can, but remember your needs and limitations.

3) Be compassionate and understanding of your friends'/helpers' needs too.

4) Make a trusted, close by, friend an emergency contact for quick help.

5) Look into Facebook groups (and other social media) for both condition specific support and for Buy Nothing etc. groups.

6) But be mindful of what you post on social media - people/insurance companies may get the wrong idea if you post highly active pics.