Short-term disability (STD), Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits and long-term disability (LTD) can all replace income when a medical condition prevents you from working. But they are three different benefits with different rules.

Short-term disability and long-term disability are usually provided through workplace or private insurance. EI sickness benefits are provided by the federal government to eligible workers who can’t work for medical reasons.

Which benefit you can receive depends on your insurance coverage, how long you’re unable to work and whether you meet the requirements of each program. You may qualify for one benefit, more than one at different times, or none of them.

💡 The key distinction: EI sickness benefits aren’t automatically paid when short-term disability ends. Likewise, long-term disability doesn’t automatically begin when EI runs out. Each benefit has separate eligibility and application requirements.

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Short-Term Disability vs. EI vs. Long-Term Disability: Key Differences

The biggest differences between STD, EI sickness benefits and LTD are who provides them, how much they pay and how long benefits can last.

Benefit Who Provides It? How Much Does It Pay? How Long Can It Last?
Short-Term Disability (STD) Employer or private insurance plan Depends on your plan Usually weeks or months
EI Sickness Benefits Federal government 55% of insurable earnings, up to the federal maximum Up to 26 weeks
Long-Term Disability (LTD) Employer or private insurance plan Often 60% to 70% of income, depending on the policy Potentially months or years

All three benefits can help replace lost income during a medical absence. However, qualifying for one doesn’t guarantee that you’ll qualify for another.

What Is the Difference Between Short-Term Disability and EI Sickness Benefits?

Short-term disability is an insurance benefit. EI sickness benefits are a federal government benefit. Both can provide temporary income when you’re unable to work because of an illness, injury or medical condition.

STD is available only if you’re covered by a workplace or private disability plan. EI sickness benefits are available to workers who meet federal eligibility requirements, even if they don’t have private disability insurance.

Can You Get EI Instead of Short-Term Disability?

Yes, you may qualify for EI sickness benefits if you don’t have STD coverage and are unable to work for medical reasons.

However, if your employer provides short-term disability insurance, check your plan before assuming you can choose EI instead. Your workplace benefits may affect when EI is available or how much you receive.

The Government of Canada recommends checking whether your employer provides paid sick leave or short-term disability coverage before applying for EI sickness benefits.

For more information about private coverage, read our Short-Term Disability in Canada guide.

Which Benefit Comes First: Short-Term Disability, EI or LTD?

There is no single order that applies to every worker. The sequence depends on your workplace benefits, insurance policies and EI eligibility.

Three common situations are:

  • You have STD and LTD coverage: You may receive short-term disability first, followed by long-term disability after the required waiting period. EI isn’t necessarily part of the process.
  • You have no STD coverage: You may qualify for EI sickness benefits while you’re unable to work. If you also have LTD coverage, you may apply for it when eligible.
  • Your STD ends before LTD begins: You may face a gap in payments. EI sickness benefits could be an option if you meet the federal requirements.

If you have disability insurance through work, check the waiting periods and application deadlines for both STD and LTD.

⚠️ Don’t assume the next benefit will start automatically. You may need to apply separately for EI or LTD, even if you’re already receiving short-term disability payments.

How Much Does EI Sickness Pay and Who Qualifies?

EI sickness benefits pay 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to a maximum of $729 per week in 2026.

Eligible workers can receive up to 26 weeks of EI sickness benefits. The actual number of weeks depends on how long you’re unable to work for medical reasons and your EI eligibility.

Who Qualifies for EI Sickness Benefits?

To qualify for EI sickness benefits, most employees must:

  • Be unable to work for medical reasons
  • Have a reduction in regular weekly earnings of more than 40% for at least one week
  • Have accumulated at least 600 insured hours during the qualifying period
  • Obtain a medical certificate supporting their inability to work

Service Canada makes the final decision about EI eligibility.

You can review the requirements and apply through the Government of Canada’s EI Sickness Benefits program.

Does Short-Term Disability Pay More Than EI?

It can. Some STD plans replace a larger percentage of income than EI sickness benefits, while others pay less.

Your actual payment depends on your insurance plan, benefit limits and whether payments are taxable.

Read How Much Does Short-Term Disability Pay in Canada?

Can You Receive Short-Term Disability and EI at the Same Time?

You may qualify for both programs, but you can’t assume you’ll receive full STD and EI sickness payments for the same period.

Income from one program may affect payments from the other. Your employer may also have a benefit arrangement that coordinates STD with EI sickness benefits.

Before receiving payments from both sources:

  • Check whether your STD plan allows overlapping benefits
  • Confirm how disability payments affect your EI claim
  • Report income and benefits as required by Service Canada
  • Ask whether your employer offers an approved EI top-up arrangement
💡 Remember: STD and EI aren’t automatically two separate payments you can collect in full. How they work together depends on the insurance plan and federal EI rules.

What Happens When Short-Term Disability Ends?

When short-term disability ends, you may return to work, begin long-term disability benefits or investigate EI sickness benefits if you’re still unable to work.

What happens next depends on your medical condition and available coverage.

Moving From Short-Term to Long-Term Disability

If you’re still unable to work, LTD may become available after the waiting period in your insurance policy.

However, approval isn’t automatic. Your insurer may require a separate application, updated medical information and proof that you meet the LTD policy’s definition of disability.

For a full explanation, read Short-Term vs. Long-Term Disability in Canada.

Can EI Cover a Gap Between STD and LTD?

Possibly. If STD ends before your LTD payments begin, EI sickness benefits may be available if you meet the federal eligibility requirements.

However, EI doesn’t automatically cover every gap. Your employment history, previous benefits and other income can affect your eligibility.

Read What Happens When Short-Term Disability Ends?

Do You Have to Apply Separately for STD, EI and LTD?

Yes, these are separate benefit programs with different application requirements. Receiving one benefit doesn’t automatically start a claim for another.

  • Short-Term Disability: Apply through your employer, insurance company or benefits administrator. Medical information is usually required.
  • EI Sickness Benefits: Apply through Service Canada and meet the federal eligibility requirements. Apply promptly after you stop working.
  • Long-Term Disability: Apply through your LTD insurer according to your policy’s deadlines. A separate medical assessment may be required.

If you’re on medical leave and believe you’ll remain unable to work, start investigating your next benefit before your current payments end.

For application instructions, see How to Apply for Short-Term Disability in Canada.

What if Your Short-Term Disability, EI or LTD Benefits Are Denied?

A denial of one benefit doesn’t automatically disqualify you from receiving another. Each program has its own eligibility requirements and decision-making process.

Short-Term Disability Denied

If your insurance company denies your STD claim, you may be able to challenge the decision. You should also check whether EI sickness benefits are available and whether you have an approaching LTD application deadline.

Read Short-Term Disability Denied in Canada.

EI Sickness Benefits Denied

If Service Canada denies your EI sickness claim, you can ask for the decision to be reconsidered. An EI denial doesn’t automatically determine your eligibility for private disability insurance.

Long-Term Disability Denied

If your insurer refuses to approve LTD after STD ends, you may still have a valid claim. The insurer may have wrongly assessed your medical evidence or your ability to work.

Read Long-Term Disability Denied: What to Do Next.

⚠️ Don’t let a benefit denial cause you to miss another deadline. You may need to protect your rights under a private disability policy while also applying for a separate benefit program.

STD, EI and LTD: Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get EI if you don’t have short-term disability?

Yes. EI sickness benefits may be available if you don’t have STD insurance and meet the federal eligibility requirements, including having enough insured hours and medical evidence supporting your inability to work.

Can you get EI if short-term disability is denied?

Possibly. An STD denial doesn’t automatically prevent you from qualifying for EI sickness benefits. Service Canada assesses eligibility under separate federal rules.

Can EI sickness benefits be paid while waiting for LTD?

They may be available if you meet the EI requirements. If LTD is later approved, overlapping payments may need to be reported, adjusted or repaid depending on the circumstances.

Can you receive EI sickness benefits for more than 26 weeks?

EI sickness benefits provide up to 26 weeks under the current program. If you’re still unable to work afterward, you may need to investigate LTD or another disability benefit program.

Can you get long-term disability after EI sickness benefits end?

Yes, if you have LTD coverage and meet your policy’s requirements. Receiving EI sickness benefits doesn’t automatically qualify you for LTD.

Are STD, EI and LTD benefits taxable?

EI sickness benefits are taxable income. Whether STD or LTD insurance payments are taxable depends on how the plan was funded and other applicable tax rules. Read Is Short-Term Disability Taxable in Canada?

Disability Benefits Denied or Cut Off? We Can Help.

Moving between short-term disability, EI sickness benefits and long-term disability can be confusing, especially when an insurance company refuses to approve your claim or stops your payments.

Denied doesn’t mean defeated.

The disability lawyers at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP help Canadians challenge short-term and long-term disability insurance denials and fight for the benefits they’re owed.

We assist clients across all Canadian provinces, excluding Quebec.

Get a Free Consultation →

Or call 1-855-821-5900.

Disability Benefits Denied Or Cut Off?

A gap between STD, EI and LTD can put your income at risk. Understand which benefit should apply and what to do when a claim is denied or delayed.

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