What Conditions Qualify For Disability in Canada?

Many Canadians ask the same question when they can’t work due to illness or injury:

“What conditions qualify for disability benefits in Canada?”

The short answer:
👉 There is no fixed list of approved conditions.

Disability benefits are based on how a medical condition affects your ability to work, not the diagnosis alone. Both physical and mental health conditions can qualify if they prevent you from performing the essential duties of your job.

This page explains:

• How disability eligibility works in Canada
• The types of conditions that commonly qualify
• What evidence insurers look for when assessing eligibility

How Disability Eligibility Works in Canada

Disability benefits may come from:

• employer-sponsored insurance plans, or
• private disability insurance policies

Benefits are typically paid as:

• Short-term disability (STD), or
• Long-term disability (LTD)

To qualify, you generally must show:

• you have a medically supported condition, and
• the condition prevents you from working, as defined by your policy

Is There a List of Conditions That Qualify for Disability?

No.

There is no official list of conditions that automatically qualify for disability benefits in Canada.

A wide range of conditions may qualify if they significantly limit your ability to work, including conditions that are:

• chronic
• episodic
• invisible
• psychological
• pain-based
• fatigue-based

What matters most is how your symptoms affect your job duties.

Common Medical Conditions That May Qualify for Disability

While eligibility depends on functional impact, the following categories of conditions commonly support disability claims when properly documented.

Musculoskeletal & Pain-Related Conditions

• Arthritis
• Chronic back pain
• Degenerative disc disease
• Fibromyalgia
• Sciatica
• Chronic pain syndrome

Mental Health Conditions

• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Major depressive disorder
• ADHD (in certain cases)

Neurological Conditions

• Concussions and post-concussion syndrome
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Migraines
• Epilepsy
• Parkinson’s disease

Chronic Fatigue & Systemic Conditions

• Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
• Long COVID
• Autoimmune disorders
• Lupus
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Cardiovascular & Respiratory Conditions

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Severe asthma
• COPD

Cancer & Treatment-Related Disabilities

• Cancer
• Chemotherapy or radiation side effects
• Cognitive or physical impairment following treatment

What Insurance Companies Look For When Assessing Eligibility

When reviewing a disability claim, insurers typically focus on:

• medical diagnoses
• treatment history
• symptom consistency
• functional limitations
• whether limitations match your job duties
• compliance with recommended treatment

Clear documentation explaining what you can’t do at work — and why is critical.

Short-Term vs Long-Term Disability Eligibility

Short-Term Disability (STD)

STD benefits usually apply when:

• your condition is temporary
• recovery is expected
• benefits last weeks or months

Long-Term Disability (LTD)

LTD benefits apply when:

• your condition is expected to last 90 days or more
• you can’t return to work in the foreseeable future
• benefits may continue for years if eligibility remains

What If Your Disability Claim Is Denied?

This page explains eligibility, not what happens after a denial.

If your long-term disability claim was denied or your benefits were cut off, your next steps depend on why the insurer made that decision and how your policy is worded.

Key Takeaways

• There is no fixed list of qualifying conditions in Canada
• Eligibility depends on functional impact, not diagnosis alone
• Physical, mental, chronic, and invisible conditions may qualify
• Strong medical documentation is essential
• Denials do not mean your condition doesn’t qualify

Speak With a Disability Lawyer About Eligibility

If you’re unsure whether your condition qualifies for disability benefits, getting clear information early can help you avoid mistakes and delays.

At Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, we help Canadians understand:

• whether their condition may qualify
• how insurers assess eligibility
• what evidence matters most

There’s no obligation — the goal is clarity.