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_outlinePart 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: navigatingdisabilitywithme@gmail.com
Links:
- Canada.ca for EI estimator
- North Shore Resource Centre https://nsdrc.org
- Inclusion Alberta https://inclusionalberta.org
- Centre for Independent Living Toronto https://cilt.ca/
- Disability Alliance of BC https://disabilityalliancebc.org/
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 overtime pay likely won’t be used in calculating your LTD pay.
- LTD pay is taxable. Consider having the insurance company take tax off for you so you won’t be left with a tax bill at the end of the year. Note that they may take less than necessary. *Note that Meghan says for her the insurance company takes $3000/month in taxes. ERROR! They take off about $300/month in taxes at her request.* Hellooo brain fog.
- Or, consider using an online tax calculator to figure out how much tax you will owe at the end of the first year on LTD income and put that away throughout the year, so you’re not stuck with a huge tax bill you can’t pay at the end of the year.
- If you have extended medical benefits through work you may keep your benefits but you may need to pay some of the premium. Note that your portion is tax deductible.
- Because your income drops your eligibility for things like GST credits, FairPharmacare and other government programs may change (as in you may qualify for more benefits).
Tips - from summary of first three episodes
Episode 1: Short Term Disability
- Look on Canada.ca for EI estimator
- Don’t abuse your sick time, you may need it
- STD and LTD can overlap, bringing your pay way up (temporarily, for as long as STD lasts)
Episode 2: Long Term Disability Part 1
- Photocopy Dr portion of application and fill in yourself to give Dr a fuller idea of what’s going on. They can then fill in their portion better.
- Keep notes of all interactions with the insurance company, government etc. with names and dates.
- If you don’t have a GP try to stick to one walk in clinic to keep your chart all in one place.
Episode 3: Be the Village
- Look for local resource groups. Examples:
- North Shore Resource Centre (https://nsdrc.org)
- Inclusion Alberta (https://inclusionalberta.org)
- Centre for Independent Living Toronto (https://cilt.ca/)
- Disability Alliance of BC (https://disabilityalliancebc.org/
- Be mindful of what you post on social media
- Be part of the community, you can give back in your own way
- Look into your Buy Nothing Group
- Remember to respect your/others boundaries