Episode 9: Fun with Forms - The Application (CPP-D Part 2)
Navigating Disability with Me
Fun with Forms: The Application Form CPP-D part 2 where we go page by page through the Canadian Pension Plan Disability application form! Feedback: navigatingdisabilitywithme@gmail.com Links: - this is where you apply online but it’s tricky to find the forms. Go to Pensions/CPP link, not Disability Benefit (that takes you to the Canadian Disability Benefit, the $200/month benefit for very low income Canadians, not to CPP-D). Scroll down to Disability section Here you’ll end up going in a bit of a loop because if you hit “Apply” it’ll loop you back to the main page. So hit...
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Episode 8: CPP Disability Part 1: Why should you apply?
Navigating Disability with Me
The What and Why of Canadian Pension Plan Disability Feedback: Links: Government of Canada webpage for Canadian Pension Plan Disability Benefit: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp-disability-benefit.html Tips: CPP-D is for Canadians who have contributed to The Canadian Pension Plan and have a severe and prolonged disability. As of 2025 you are limited to earning $7100 (gross before tax) before you have to notify CPP of your earnings, at which point they will assess if you are capable of doing regular work. This limit goes up with inflation (2026 it’s...
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Episode 7: Being on Both Sides of the Coin with Laura
Navigating Disability with Me
A discussion with Laura, who has two points of view on going through the disability process as she is both an insurance executive and currently on disability while fighting cancer. Guest: Laura, who works as a group benefits account executive for a national broker. Insta:@alilcoffee Feedback: Links: Screening mammogram information: Ontario: https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/types-of-cancer/breast-cancer/screening B.C.: https://www.bccancer.bc.ca/screening/health-professionals/breast What is Lymphedema, per The Mayo Clinic: BC Lymphedema Association Tips: Rules around screening...
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Episode 6: Keeping House
Navigating Disability with Me
Discussion of dealing with and accessing community resources for housecleaning. Guest: Linsey, who has worked in Vancouver Coastal Health for over a decade. Feedback: navigatingdisabilitywithme@gmail.com Links: Disability Alliance of BC: Better at Home: Tody (chore app): https://todyapp.com Tips: From feedback/listener questions: What to do if you’re denied STD/LTD/CPP-D? There is usually an established appeal process you must follow. Many services like Disability Alliance of BC has mentors/advocates and lawyers to help. Google the equivalent for your province. There isn’t as...
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Episode 5: Community Resources - Personal Care
Navigating Disability with Me
Discussion about community resources to help with personal care such as bathing, self care, wound care etc. as well as general day to day tips for personal care. Guest: Linsey, who has worked in public health care in Vancouver for over a decade. Feedback: navigatingdisabilitywithme@gmail.com Links: Patient Attachment Initiative/Health Connect Registry: Vancouver Coastal Health Home Care: Fraser Health Home Care: Tips: Looking for a Family Doctor/GP/Nurse Practitioner? BC's Patient Attachment Initiative's Health Connect Registry can help hook you up with a primary care...
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Episode 4: Long Term Disability Part 2
Navigating Disability with Me
Part 2 of Long Term Disability (Part one is Episode 2). Covers qualifying period, pay, taxes etc., plus a recap of the first three episodes. Feedback: Links: for EI estimator North Shore Resource Centre Inclusion Alberta Centre for Independent Living Toronto Disability Alliance of BC Tips - from this episode: Qualifying period and criteria for Long Term Disability vary by company. Use your allied health professionals (Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists etc.) in applying for Long Term Disability, in cooperation with your doctor. Previous...
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Episode 3: Being Part of the Village
Navigating Disability with Me
Discussion on how your community can support you and how you can contribute back to the community. Feedback: Links Discussed in this Episode North Shore Disability Resource Centre: And a few more similar resources from around the country: Disability alliance of BC: Inclusion Alberta: Centre for Independent Living Toronto: 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)...
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Episode 2: Long Term Disability Part 1
Navigating Disability with Me
First in a two part series (Part 2 can be found in upcoming Episode 4) on Long Term Disability in Canada, specifically BC. Feedback: Links Health Connect Registry BC (to find a GP/NP): Maple: Telus My Care: Tips (your mileage may vary!) 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. Don’t forget that you might have benefits/requirements through your professional body. If you’re self employed, ideally you have paid for...
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Episode 1: Welcome! Short Term Disability
Navigating Disability with Me
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: North Shore Disability Resource Centre: Disability Alliance of BC: Deltassist: Volunteer Cancer Drivers: Wheels of Hope: Tips: 1) If you have sick days,...
info_outlineWelcome 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.