If injury, accident, or illness has struck you down and left you incapable of continuing your work, there is a chance that you may qualify for the disability benefits and/or programs made available by the Canadian Government. Since these programs and benefits differ from province to province, we will only be taking a look at the ones available in Ontario for now.
Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits
Also referred to as EI Benefits, this program holds the purpose of providing benefits to all workers who have become unable to continue their former job as the result of sickness or the birth of a child. In order to qualify for this program, you will need to have gathered anywhere between four-hundred-and-twenty and seven-hundred hours of insurable employment throughout the qualifying period.
Long-Term Disability Insurance Benefits
You may also be qualified to apply for long-term disability benefits, which hold the purpose of replacing the income up until you reach the average age of retirement, which is sixty-five in Ontario. In order to qualify for these benefits, you will need to have purchased coverage via a disability plan, or an insurance policy together with a union, a self-purchased LTD insurance policy, or your employer.
Canada Pension Plan Disability
If you are under sixty-five, incapable to continue your job because of a disability, and have recently contributed to the Canadian Pension Plan, you may qualify for these benefits. Side note: contributions are generally made on an automated basis via your employee’s payroll.
Workers Compensation Benefits
As stated by the law, the majority of businesses can only operate if their employer is registered with a workers’ compensation program. Most employees have obtained coverage via the Provincial Workers Compensation Program on the off-chance that they sustain an injury during working hours, or are otherwise incapable of working for an extended period of time. However, if your employer is for some reason not enrolled in such a program, you have no chance of obtaining any of the benefits available.
In Conclusion
Each disability case is different, but there is still one thing that is for certain: all plaintiffs dealing with disabilities will need the support of their doctors as they decide between permanent leave from work or filing a claim for benefits. Thus, go see your doctor right after you are injured to obtain professional documentation as necessary evidence. If you have limited mobility and that is not a possibility, it is best to hire an Injury Lawyer in Georgetown and allow them to do the required collection of evidence and proof to strengthen your claim. Whether the claim is settled in or out of court, the guidance of an injury lawyer is invaluable.