If an illness or injury prevents you from working, your workplace benefits plan may provide Canada Life short-term disability (STD) benefits to replace part of your income while you recover.
There isn’t one Canada Life STD policy that applies to every employee. Your waiting period, benefit amount, maximum duration and definition of disability depend on the plan provided through your employer or plan sponsor.
Canada Life’s general workplace-disability information indicates that its short-term disability plans can provide coverage for absences of up to six months, with benefits that can replace a portion of income. However, your plan booklet determines the coverage that actually applies to you.
On This Page:
- 1. How Canada Life STD Works
- 2. Waiting Period & Benefit Amount
- 3. Canada Life STD Forms
- 4. Medical Evidence
- 5. If Your Claim Is Denied
- 6. FAQs
How Does Canada Life Short-Term Disability Work?
Short-term disability insurance provides temporary income replacement when a medical condition prevents you from working and you meet the requirements of your workplace plan.
Canada Life administers STD plans for employers and plan sponsors across Canada. The specific rules vary, but a claim generally involves information from:
- You: information about your condition, work absence and claim;
- Your employer: information about your job, earnings and workplace plan; and
- Your doctor or other medical provider: medical information relevant to your inability to work.
Canada Life’s current workplace disability process uses separate employee, employer and medical forms when required. These documents help the insurer assess whether the claimant meets the applicable plan’s disability requirements.
What conditions can qualify for Canada Life STD?
STD isn’t limited to a particular list of illnesses or injuries. The central question is usually whether your medical condition prevents you from working as required by your plan.
Depending on the circumstances and plan wording, claims can involve conditions such as:
- injuries and recovery from surgery;
- chronic pain and musculoskeletal conditions;
- cancer and other serious illnesses;
- depression, anxiety and other mental-health conditions;
- neurological conditions;
- pregnancy-related medical complications; and
- other illnesses that temporarily prevent you from performing your job.
A diagnosis by itself isn’t always enough to establish disability. The medical evidence should also explain how your symptoms and limitations affect your ability to work.
Canada Life Short-Term Disability Waiting Period
The Canada Life short-term disability waiting period is the period you must be disabled before STD payments begin.
Canada Life’s general workplace-disability information says STD waiting periods can be less than 14 days. However, that is general product information — your employer’s specific plan controls.
The waiting period may also interact with:
- paid sick days;
- salary-continuance benefits;
- vacation or other paid leave; or
- other workplace income-replacement programs.
Check your benefits booklet or My Canada Life at Work for the waiting period that applies to your plan.
How Much Does Canada Life Pay for Short-Term Disability?
There is no single Canada Life STD payment amount that applies to every worker.
Canada Life’s public information for employers says its short-term disability plans can replace approximately 55% to 80% of an employee’s income. Another Canada Life consumer overview describes STD coverage of up to 80% of gross monthly income.
Your actual benefit can be different. The amount depends on factors set out in your employer’s plan, including:
- the percentage of income covered;
- any weekly benefit maximum;
- how earnings are defined under the plan;
- whether other income offsets apply; and
- how the premiums were funded.
How Long Does Canada Life Short-Term Disability Last?
Canada Life’s general workplace-benefits information describes short-term disability as coverage for absences of up to six months.
That doesn’t mean every Canada Life STD plan provides exactly six months of benefits. The maximum benefit period is determined by your particular employer plan.
If you remain medically unable to work when your STD benefits are approaching their maximum duration, you may need to apply for long-term disability (LTD) benefits.
STD and LTD are separate benefits. Qualifying for STD doesn’t automatically guarantee approval for LTD, and the LTD plan can contain a different waiting period, disability definition and benefit amount.
Learn more in our guide to short-term disability in Canada.
Canada Life Short-Term Disability Forms
Canada Life currently directs people with short-term or long-term disability coverage through an employer or plan sponsor to its workplace disability claims process.
Canada Life says claimants submitting through its online workplace process may need to attach three forms as part of the submission.
1. Employee or plan member information
You may be asked for information about yourself, your work absence, your condition and the workplace benefits plan.
2. Employer statement
Canada Life provides an employer statement specifically for short-term disability income benefits. The employer can be asked to provide information relevant to the plan and employment.
3. Attending Physician Statement
Your doctor or nurse practitioner, where applicable, may be required to complete an Attending Physician Statement (APS).
Canada Life’s current STD APS asks for information including:
- the primary diagnosis;
- secondary conditions or complications;
- when the condition began affecting work;
- treatment;
- prognosis; and
- the expected or actual return-to-work date.
Canada Life’s form also distinguishes between absences expected to last four weeks or less and longer absences, with additional information requested for longer periods.
For a detailed explanation, see our guide to the Canada Life Attending Physician Statement.
What Medical Evidence Does Canada Life Need for Short-Term Disability?
The medical information required depends on the claim, medical condition and plan.
Canada Life’s Attending Physician Statement asks doctors for information that can help assess both the medical condition and its effect on the claimant’s ability to work.
Strong medical documentation generally explains:
- Diagnosis: What medical condition is being treated?
- Symptoms: What is the claimant experiencing?
- Treatment: What care, medication or therapy is being provided?
- Restrictions and limitations: What can the claimant not safely or reliably do?
- Prognosis: What does the health-care provider expect regarding recovery?
- Return to work: Is a return expected, and if so, when?
Why are functional limitations important?
A medical diagnosis doesn’t always explain why someone can’t work.
For example, depending on the person’s job and condition, relevant limitations could include difficulty:
- sitting or standing for prolonged periods;
- lifting or performing physical duties;
- concentrating or remembering information;
- maintaining regular attendance;
- managing fatigue or pain; or
- coping with workplace stress or interacting with others.
Your doctor should provide an accurate medical opinion based on your actual condition. You shouldn’t ask a doctor to exaggerate restrictions or use particular wording simply to improve a claim.
How Long Does Canada Life Take to Approve Short-Term Disability?
There isn’t one approval timeline that applies to every Canada Life STD claim.
The time required can depend on whether Canada Life has received all required forms and medical information, whether additional information is needed and the circumstances of the claim.
If you’re waiting for a decision:
- confirm that Canada Life received your claim;
- check whether any forms or medical information are outstanding;
- keep copies of everything you submit; and
- follow up if you haven’t received an update within the timeframe Canada Life gave you.
Insurance company reviews can delay payment of STD benefits. If Canada Life has all of the information it requested but your claim remains unresolved, follow up and ask what is holding up the decision.
If the delay continues and you aren’t getting a clear explanation, speak with a disability lawyer about your options.
Can Canada Life Contact Your Doctor?
Canada Life’s current STD Attending Physician Statement contains a consent authorizing relevant medical and health information to be disclosed for purposes that include assessing and administering the claim.
That means Canada Life may seek relevant information from a health-care provider where necessary to assess the claim and permitted by the authorization you have provided.
Whether Canada Life actually contacts your doctor will depend on the circumstances and the information needed.
What If Canada Life Says You Can Return to Work?
Return-to-work planning can arise during a short-term disability claim, particularly as your medical condition improves.
Your health-care provider’s opinion about your medical abilities is important. Canada Life’s STD medical form specifically asks for an expected or actual return-to-work date.
Depending on your condition, a medically appropriate return could involve:
- Returning full-time
- Reduced hours
- Modified duties
- A gradual increase in hours and responsibilities
What If Canada Life Denies Your Short-Term Disability Claim?
If Canada Life denies your STD claim, don’t assume you aren’t entitled to benefits. Insurers can deny claims that should have been approved.
Start by reviewing the reason Canada Life gave for the denial and comparing it with your medical evidence and the requirements of your disability plan.
A disability dispute can involve issues such as:
- Whether the medical information establishes that you are unable to work
- Whether important medical information is missing
- How your functional limitations have been documented
- Whether you meet the definition of disability in the plan
- Whether an exclusion or limitation applies
- Whether Canada Life and your treating providers disagree about your ability to return to work
Understanding why Canada Life denied the claim is critical. The reason for the denial will help determine what evidence is needed and whether an internal appeal or legal action is the better next step.
Should you appeal a Canada Life STD denial?
Canada Life may give you the option to submit additional medical information or ask it to reconsider a denied claim.
Don’t automatically assume an internal appeal is your best option. An appeal can use up valuable time you have to take legal action after disability benefits are denied or cut off.
If important medical evidence was missing, providing that information may address the reason for the denial. In other cases, starting a legal claim with a disability lawyer can be the better option.
If your doctor continues to support your inability to work, speak with a disability lawyer about the denial and the best way to pursue your benefits.
For more information, read our guide to a Canada Life disability claim denial.
What Happens When Canada Life STD Ends?
There are several possible outcomes when short-term disability benefits end.
You may:
- recover and return to your regular job;
- return with temporary modified hours or duties;
- require additional workplace accommodation; or
- remain unable to work and apply for LTD benefits.
If you move from STD to LTD, don’t assume that approval is automatic. Canada Life may require additional forms and medical information, and LTD coverage is governed by its own policy requirements.
If LTD benefits are eventually approved, another important stage can arise later if the policy changes its definition of disability. Read our guide to Canada Life LTD benefits after two years.
How Samfiru Tumarkin LLP Can Help With a Canada Life STD Claim
Samfiru Tumarkin LLP’s disability lawyers have years of experience representing people in short-term and long-term disability disputes involving major Canadian insurers, including Canada Life.
If your Canada Life STD benefits have been denied or stopped, we can review:
- Your workplace disability plan
- Canada Life’s reason for the decision
- Your Attending Physician Statement and other medical evidence
- Your documented restrictions and limitations
- Return-to-work issues
- Your options for challenging the decision
Many disability disputes are resolved through negotiation without a trial. If legal action is appropriate, our disability lawyers can deal with Canada Life on your behalf, challenge the decision and pursue the benefits you’re owed.
Consultations for disability claims are free. If we take on your case, disability matters can be handled on a contingency-fee basis, meaning legal fees are paid from the recovery rather than upfront.
➡️ Contact Samfiru Tumarkin LLP to speak with a disability lawyer about your Canada Life short-term disability claim.
Canada Life Short-Term Disability FAQs
How does short-term disability through Canada Life work?
If your employer’s plan includes Canada Life short-term disability coverage, STD can replace part of your income when an illness or injury prevents you from working and you satisfy the plan’s requirements. Your waiting period, benefit amount and maximum duration depend on your particular workplace plan.
What is the Canada Life short-term disability waiting period?
Canada Life’s general workplace information says STD waiting periods can be less than 14 days, but there is no universal waiting period for every plan. Check your benefits booklet for the exact waiting period that applies to you.
How much does Canada Life pay for short-term disability?
Canada Life publicly describes workplace STD plans that can replace approximately 55% to 80% of income. Your actual benefit is determined by your employer’s plan and may be subject to a weekly maximum or other plan provisions.
How long does Canada Life STD last?
Canada Life describes short-term disability coverage as potentially lasting up to six months, but the maximum benefit period varies by plan. Your benefits booklet contains the duration that applies to your coverage.
What forms are needed for Canada Life short-term disability?
For workplace disability claims, Canada Life’s current process can involve information from the employee, an employer statement and an Attending Physician Statement or other medical form. The exact documents required depend on the plan and claim.
Can Canada Life call my doctor about my disability claim?
Canada Life disability forms include consent provisions that can authorize relevant medical information to be obtained from health-care providers for the purpose of assessing and administering a claim. Whether Canada Life contacts your doctor depends on the circumstances and information required.
Can Canada Life deny short-term disability even if my doctor says I can’t work?
Yes. Canada Life makes its own decision about whether you meet the definition of disability under your plan. Your doctor’s opinion and medical evidence are important, but they don’t automatically guarantee approval.
If Canada Life denies your STD claim despite medical evidence supporting your inability to work, don’t assume the insurer got it right or that the decision is final. You can take action to challenge the denial.
What happens if I’m still unable to work when Canada Life STD ends?
If you remain medically unable to work when STD ends, you may be eligible to apply for Canada Life long-term disability benefits if your workplace plan includes LTD coverage. LTD has its own eligibility requirements and isn’t automatically approved because you received STD.
Should I appeal a denied Canada Life STD claim?
Don’t automatically assume an internal appeal is your best option. An appeal can use up valuable time while the deadline to take legal action continues to run.
If important medical evidence was missing, an appeal may address the reason for the denial. In other cases, starting a legal claim with a disability lawyer can be the better option. Speak with a disability lawyer before deciding how to proceed.
Independent Legal Information: This page was prepared by Samfiru Tumarkin LLP as an independent legal resource for people dealing with disability claims. Samfiru Tumarkin LLP is not affiliated with or endorsed by Canada Life. References to issues that may arise during disability claims describe general legal and insurance principles or circumstances that can arise in individual cases. Your rights depend on your policy and individual circumstances.