Short-term disability benefits in Ontario can replace part of your income if you can’t work because of an illness, injury, or medical condition.

These benefits are often called STD benefits. They are usually provided through an employer’s group insurance plan and are meant to support you for a temporary period while you recover, return to work, apply for EI sickness benefits, or move into long-term disability benefits.

But short-term disability is not always simple.

Insurance companies can delay payments, deny valid claims, cut off benefits early, or pressure employees to return to work before they are medically ready. Some employees are also worried about losing their job while on medical leave.

This guide explains how short-term disability works in Ontario, who qualifies, how much it pays, what medical proof is needed, what happens if your claim is denied, and when to speak with a disability lawyer.

✅ Need help with a short-term disability denial, delay, or cut-off? Contact Samfiru Tumarkin LLP. Our disability lawyers help employees across Ontario deal with insurance companies and protect their rights.

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What is Short-Term Disability in Ontario?

Short-term disability in Ontario is a type of insurance benefit that provides temporary income replacement when you are medically unable to work.

STD benefits usually apply when you can’t perform your own job because of a medical condition.

Short-term disability can cover many situations, including:

  • Illness
  • Injury
  • Surgery recovery
  • Mental health conditions
  • Chronic pain flare-ups
  • Serious fatigue
  • Post-viral symptoms
  • Treatment-related side effects

Short-term disability is different from long-term disability. STD usually covers the first part of a medical absence. If your condition continues beyond the short-term disability period, you may need to apply for long-term disability benefits.

➡️ Learn more about the difference between short-term disability and long-term disability.

Is Short-Term Disability Required by Law in Ontario?

No. Ontario employers are not required to offer short-term disability benefits.

STD is usually offered through an employer-sponsored group benefits plan. Some employees also have private disability insurance through an individual policy, association, or professional group.

If your workplace does not provide short-term disability, you may need to rely on:

Your right to take time off work and your right to receive STD benefits are separate issues.

ℹ️ Short-term disability is about income replacement. Medical leave is about job protection and workplace rights.

Who Qualifies for Short-Term Disability in Ontario?

Eligibility depends on your insurance policy.

Most short-term disability plans require that:

  • You are covered under the plan when your disability begins
  • You are medically unable to perform the duties of your job
  • Your doctor supports your time off work
  • You provide the required medical forms and records
  • You meet any waiting period or policy deadline
  • Your condition is not excluded by the policy

The insurance company does not only look at your diagnosis. It will also look at your functional limitations.

This means the insurer wants to know how your condition affects your ability to work.

For example:

  • Can you sit, stand, walk, lift, type, drive, concentrate, remember tasks, interact with others, meet deadlines, or work a full day?
  • Can you perform your job safely?
  • Can you work consistently, or do your symptoms fluctuate?
  • Would working make your condition worse?
  • Has your doctor recommended time away from work?

A strong STD claim should explain why your medical condition prevents you from doing your job in a safe, reliable, and sustainable way.

Short Term Disability Ontario Mental Health Claims

Mental health conditions can qualify for short-term disability in Ontario.

Mental health claims are often challenged because symptoms may not show up on an X-ray, scan, or blood test. That does not make the condition less real.

Insurance companies often look for detailed medical evidence showing:

  • Your symptoms
  • Your diagnosis, if one has been made
  • Your treatment plan
  • Medication history
  • Therapy, counselling, or psychiatric care
  • How your condition affects concentration, memory, sleep, mood, stamina, decision-making, or social interaction
  • Why you can’t perform your job duties
  • Whether a return to work is medically safe

A short doctor’s note saying “off work due to stress” may not be enough. Your medical support should explain how your mental health condition affects your ability to work.

If your short-term disability claim for anxiety, depression, PTSD, or another mental health condition was denied, don’t assume the insurer is right.

 

What Medical Conditions Qualify for Short-Term Disability?

Common medical conditions that can support an STD claim include:

Keep in mind, you don’t automatically qualify for short-term disability. The key issue is whether your medical condition prevents you from doing your job.

Each claim depends on the wording of your policy, your job duties, and your medical evidence.

➡️ For more information, read our guide on What Conditions Qualify for Disability in Canada?

How Do You Apply for Short-Term Disability in Ontario?

The application process depends on your insurance plan.

In most cases, you will need to get short-term disability forms from your employer, benefits administrator, or insurance company.

A typical STD application includes three parts:

1. Employee Statement

This is the form you complete.

It usually asks for information about:

  • Your medical condition
  • Your symptoms
  • The date you stopped working
  • Your job duties
  • Your treatment providers
  • Your medications
  • Your expected return-to-work date, if known

Be accurate and detailed. Do not downplay your symptoms.

2. Attending Physician Statement

This is the form your doctor completes.

It should explain:

  • Your diagnosis or symptoms
  • Your restrictions and limitations
  • Your treatment plan
  • Your prognosis
  • Whether you can work
  • when you may be reassessed
  • whether modified duties are medically appropriate

The doctor’s form is often one of the most important parts of the application.

3. Employer Statement

This is the form your employer completes.

It usually confirms:

  • Your job title
  • Your regular duties
  • Your income
  • Your last day worked
  • Your schedule
  • Your coverage details
  • Whether modified work is available

Your employer should complete this form accurately and promptly.

What Happens After You Apply for Short-Term Disability?

After your application is submitted, the insurance company will assign your file to a case manager or claims adjuster.

The insurer may:

  • Review your forms
  • Contact your doctor
  • Request more medical records
  • Ask for clarification about your job duties
  • Call you to discuss your symptoms
  • Request updates on your treatment
  • Ask about medication or therapy
  • Consider whether modified work is possible
  • Approve, deny, or delay the claim

You should usually receive the insurer’s decision in writing.

Keep copies of everything you submit, including forms, medical notes, letters, emails, and claim decisions.

How Long Does Short-Term Disability Last in Ontario?

The length of short-term disability benefits depends on your policy.

Many STD plans last between 15 and 26 weeks. Some plans are shorter. Others can last longer.

Short-term disability usually ends when:

ℹ️ Do not assume your benefits will continue automatically. Insurance companies often review STD claims during the benefit period and may ask for updated medical evidence.

How Much Does Short-Term Disability Pay in Ontario?

Short-term disability benefits often replace a percentage of your regular income.

Many plans pay between 60 and 85 per cent of your regular earnings. Some plans may pay more, including up to 100 per cent for a limited period. Others may pay less because of policy caps.

Your payment amount can depend on:

  • Your salary or hourly wage
  • Your normal weekly earnings
  • The percentage set out in the policy
  • Maximum weekly or monthly benefit limits
  • Whether the benefits are taxable
  • Whether other income sources reduce your payment

Higher-income employees may receive less than their full wages if the plan has a benefit cap.

Check your benefits booklet, insurance policy, or group plan summary to confirm how your STD benefits are calculated.

Are Short-Term Disability Benefits Taxable in Ontario?

Short-term disability benefits may be taxable or non-taxable depending on who paid the insurance premiums.

In general:

  • If your employer paid all or part of the premiums, your STD benefits are usually taxable
  • If you paid the full premiums yourself with after-tax dollars, your STD benefits may be tax-free

This matters because the amount listed in your policy may not be the same as your take-home pay.

ℹ️ If you are unsure, check your paystub, benefits booklet, insurance policy, or speak with a tax professional.

Short-Term Disability vs EI Sickness Benefits in Ontario

Short-term disability and EI sickness benefits are not the same thing.

Short-Term Disability

STD benefits are usually provided through an employer insurance plan.

They often:

  • Pay a higher percentage of income than EI sickness benefits
  • Depend on your workplace benefits plan
  • Require approval from the insurance company
  • Are based on the terms of the policy
  • May have a waiting period
  • May be taxable or non-taxable

EI Sickness Benefits

EI sickness benefits are provided by the federal government.

They may be available if:

  • You can’t work for medical reasons
  • You have enough insurable hours
  • You provide medical documentation
  • You meet Service Canada’s eligibility rules

EI sickness benefits can provide temporary financial support if you do not have short-term disability coverage, your STD benefits end, or your STD claim is delayed or denied.

You generally can’t receive full STD payments and EI sickness benefits for the same period. If benefits overlap, repayment issues can arise.

Can Short-Term Disability Turn Into Long-Term Disability?

Yes. If you remain unable to work after your STD benefits end, the next step may be long-term disability.

This transition can be stressful because there may be new forms, new medical evidence, and a more detailed review by the insurance company.

Before your STD benefits end, you should ask:

  • When your STD coverage expires
  • Whether you have long-term disability coverage
  • When the LTD application is due
  • What forms your doctor must complete
  • Whether your insurer needs updated records
  • Whether there could be a gap in payments
  • What happens if STD is denied but you are still unable to work

Do not wait until the final week of STD benefits to start thinking about LTD.

➡️ Learn more about the transition from short-term disability to long-term disability. You can also visit our Long Term Disability Ontario page for more information about LTD claims.

Why are Short-Term Disability Claims Denied in Ontario?

Short-term disability claims can be denied or cut off for many reasons.

Common reasons include:

  • The insurer says there is not enough medical evidence
  • Your doctor’s note is too brief
  • The insurer says you can still perform your job
  • The insurer disagrees with your doctor
  • Your symptoms are considered subjective
  • Forms are incomplete
  • Deadlines were missed
  • Your employer gave incomplete or inaccurate job information
  • The insurer says your condition is not covered
  • Your claim involves mental health, chronic pain, fatigue, or another invisible condition
  • Surveillance or social media activity is taken out of context
  • The insurer says you can return to modified work

A denial does not mean your claim is weak. It means the insurance company has decided not to pay based on its review of your file.

You may still have options.

What Should You Do if Short-Term Disability is Denied or Cut Off?

If your short-term disability claim is denied, delayed, or stopped early, act quickly.

  1. Get the decision in writing: Ask the insurance company for a written denial or termination letter.
  2. Review the deadline: The denial letter may include an internal appeal deadline. Do not ignore it. But also do not assume that filing repeated appeals is the best strategy.
  3. Do not assume the insurer is right: Insurance companies deny valid claims all the time. A denial can be based on missing information, a misunderstanding of your job duties, incomplete medical records, or an unfair view of your symptoms.
  4. Strengthen your medical evidence: Ask your doctor whether they can provide more detail about your symptoms, restrictions, limitations, treatment plan, ability to work, why modified duties may or may not be appropriate, and when you should be reassessed. A stronger medical report can make a major difference.
  5. Be careful with internal appeals: Many insurers invite people to appeal the denial internally. The problem is that the same insurance company that denied your claim usually controls the appeal process. An appeal may make sense in some cases, especially if key medical evidence was missing. But repeated appeals can waste time and delay stronger legal action.
  6. Watch the legal deadline: In many disability insurance disputes, there is a two-year limitation period to start a legal claim. The exact deadline can be complicated and may depend on your policy, the denial letter, and the facts of your case. Do not assume the insurer will warn you before time runs out.
  7. Speak with a short-term disability lawyer: A lawyer can review your policy, denial letter, medical evidence, job duties, and appeal options. They can also deal directly with the insurance company so you can focus on your health.
➡️ For more information, read our guide on Appealing a Disability Denial.

Can You Be Fired While on Short-Term Disability in Ontario?

Your employer can’t fire you because you have a disability or because you need medical leave.

In Ontario, employers have a duty to accommodate employees with disabilities to the point of undue hardship. This may include time off work, modified duties, reduced hours, a gradual return to work, or other reasonable changes.

However, being on short-term disability does not give you unlimited job protection in every situation. Employers sometimes terminate employees while they are on medical leave. Whether that is legal depends on the reason for the termination and the facts of the case.

You should get legal advice if:

  • You were fired while on STD
  • Your employer said your job was eliminated during medical leave
  • You were pressured to resign
  • Your employer refused medical accommodations
  • You were given a severance offer while off sick
  • Your employer questioned your disability
  • You were punished for taking medical leave
⚠️ Do not sign a severance package, release, or resignation letter without speaking to an employment lawyer.

Which Insurance Companies Handle Short-Term Disability Claims?

Many major insurance companies handle STD claims in Ontario, including:

Each insurer has its own forms, timelines, claims process, and approach to medical evidence.

If your claim was denied or delayed by a major insurer, you are not alone. Many valid disability claims are challenged, even when a doctor supports time away from work.

➡️ You can learn more about disability insurance companies in Canada.

When Should You Speak with a Short-Term Disability Lawyer?

You should speak with a short-term disability lawyer if:

  • Your STD claim was denied
  • Your payments are delayed
  • Your benefits were cut off early
  • Your insurer says there is not enough medical proof
  • Your doctor says you can’t work but the insurer disagrees
  • Your mental health claim was denied
  • You are being pressured to return to work
  • Your employer won’t accommodate you
  • You were fired while on disability leave
  • You are being asked to attend an IME
  • Surveillance or social media is being used against you
  • Your STD benefits are ending and you still can’t work
  • You are worried about missing a deadline

The earlier you get advice, the easier it may be to protect your benefits, your job, and your legal claim.

Why Choose Samfiru Tumarkin LLP?

Samfiru Tumarkin LLP is one of Canada’s leading disability and employment law firms.

We help people across Ontario deal with denied, delayed, and cut-off disability benefits. Our team regularly deals with major insurance companies and understands how they assess short-term and long-term disability claims.

We also understand the workplace issues that often come with disability claims, including medical leave, accommodation, return-to-work pressure, termination, and severance offers.

Our short-term disability lawyers help clients across Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton, Burlington, Ottawa, and the rest of Ontario.

➡️ You can read real client feedback on our lawyer reviews page.

Speak with a Short-Term Disability Lawyer in Ontario

If your short-term disability claim was denied, delayed, or cut off, don’t wait.

The insurance company has professionals protecting its interests. You should have someone protecting yours.

Denied doesn’t mean deafeated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is short-term disability required by law in Ontario?

No. Ontario employers are not required to provide short-term disability benefits. STD is usually offered through an employer benefits plan or private insurance policy.

How long does short-term disability last in Ontario?

Many short-term disability plans last between 15 and 26 weeks, but the exact length depends on your policy. Some plans are shorter or longer.

How much does short-term disability pay?

Many STD plans pay between 60 and 85 per cent of your regular income. Some plans pay more, and others are limited by weekly or monthly maximums.

Can I get short-term disability for mental health in Ontario?

Yes. Mental health conditions can qualify for short-term disability if they prevent you from working. This can include anxiety, depression, PTSD, panic attacks, severe stress, and related symptoms.

What medical proof do I need for short-term disability?

You usually need medical evidence from your doctor showing your diagnosis or symptoms, restrictions, limitations, treatment plan, prognosis, and why you can’t perform your job.

Can I receive EI sickness benefits and short-term disability at the same time?

You generally can’t receive full STD payments and EI sickness benefits for the same period. If payments overlap, you may have to repay some benefits.

What happens if my short-term disability is denied?

You may be able to appeal, submit stronger medical evidence, apply for EI sickness benefits, transition to long-term disability, or take legal action. Speak with a disability lawyer before relying on repeated internal appeals.

Can short-term disability turn into long-term disability?

Yes. If you are still unable to work when STD ends, you may need to apply for long-term disability benefits. Do not wait until your STD benefits expire to start preparing.

Can my employer fire me while I’m on short-term disability?

Your employer can’t fire you because of a disability or medical leave. If you are terminated while on STD, speak with an employment lawyer before signing anything.

Should I appeal a short-term disability denial?

Be careful. An internal appeal may help if important medical evidence was missing, but repeated appeals can delay stronger legal action. Get legal advice before deciding.

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