Short-term disability (STD) benefits provide temporary income replacement when you’re unable to work due to illness, injury, or a medical condition. While STD is typically offered through employer-sponsored insurance plans, how these benefits are administered can vary depending on the province you work in.
This page links to province-specific guides explaining how short-term disability works across Canada, including eligibility rules, benefit duration, and common issues employees face.
How Short-Term Disability Varies by Province
Short-term disability is not a government program, but provincial employment standards, workplace rules, and insurer practices can still affect:
- who qualifies for STD benefits
- how long benefits last
- how STD interacts with job-protected leaves
- what happens when benefits end or are denied
Select your province below to learn how short-term disability applies where you live.
Short-Term Disability Guides by Province
Ontario
Learn how employer-sponsored short-term disability works in Ontario, including eligibility requirements, typical benefit periods, and how STD interacts with employment standards and medical leave.
Alberta
Find out how short-term disability benefits are handled in Alberta workplaces, including common insurer requirements and what happens when STD benefits end.
British Columbia
Understand how short-term disability operates in British Columbia, including employer obligations, insurance plans, and transition issues when employees remain unable to work.
Saskatchewan
Learn how short-term disability benefits apply in Saskatchewan, including plan eligibility, medical evidence requirements, and common claim challenges.
Manitoba
Explore how short-term disability works for Manitoba employees, including coverage rules and what to expect during a medical leave from work.
Nova Scotia
Review how short-term disability benefits function in Nova Scotia, including employer-sponsored insurance plans and typical STD timelines.
New Brunswick
Learn how short-term disability applies in New Brunswick workplaces, including insurer decision-making and benefit duration.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Understand how short-term disability benefits are administered in Newfoundland and Labrador, including eligibility and transition to other benefits if STD ends.
What If Your Short-Term Disability Claim Is Denied?
Across all provinces, insurers may deny or cut off short-term disability benefits for reasons such as insufficient medical evidence or disputes over work capacity.
If your STD claim is denied, you may still have options, including appealing the decision, applying for EI sickness benefits, or transitioning to long-term disability.
Key Takeaway
Short-term disability rules can differ across Canada, even when benefits are provided through similar insurance plans. Understanding how STD works in your province can help you avoid delays, denials, and confusion — especially if your condition prevents you from returning to work.
For a general overview of how short-term disability works nationwide, visit our guide to short-term disability in Canada.