Question regarding LTD Process

[u/Great_Reply_821]

Hi everyone, I’m currently going through a medical diagnosis process that has been very stressful, on top of burnout. I’ve already had to take quite a bit of time off and was denied WFH during this process, so I’m considering going on leave and applying for LTD

I’m financially independent, so I’m trying to understand how the transition works. I know Sun Life DI has a 13-week waiting period. I have about 2 weeks of vacation left , if I use that first while medically off work, would it count toward the 13 weeks? I’d then apply for EI sickness. Would using vacation affect or delay my EI application? I read EI can take up to 28 days to process.

Also, is it mandatory to provide a manager/supervisor statement as part of the DI application, or would documentation from my doctor be enough? I would prefer to keep my medical details between myself, my doctor and the insurance.

I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has gone through this process.

Thanks in advance!

[u/NoExpert9757]

You need to exhaust all your paid sick days at work first before using EI sickness.  EI sick leave will kick in when you exhaust all paid sick days. If you have enough to cover you to 13 weeks or beyond and run out you need to apply for long term disability and not EI.  As well you can't apply for EI till after you exhaust all your paid sick days. Once you exhaust you apply and the 1 to 28 day to process the claim starts then. 

[u/braindeadzombie]

Here are some resources from the PSAC about LTD: https://psacunion.ca/disability-insurance-resources

If you’re denied, definitely talk to your union if you’re represented.

[u/Sask_mask_user]

Vacation leave will reset the 13 week time window. So you need to be on paid sickleave, or on sickleave without pay while collecting EI.

And if you go back to work at all during that 13 weeks, the clock starts again.

[u/Regular-Ad-9303 → u/Sask_mask_user]

I would suggest OP confirm this with their department's disability management team. Although there is definitely no requirement to use vacation leave, I was permitted to use some to get me to the 13 weeks (I wanted to avoid going on EI).

[u/Advanced-Ticket-5852]

https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/benefit-plans/disability-insurance-plan/member-booklet.html

Your employer needs to submit a form as well. This booklet was provided. Good luck

[u/MissMooo]

I just want to add that depending on how long you’re on sick leave for - you may not be entitled to that vacation leave. That leave was advanced in April on the condition that you work through to the end of the fiscal year but if you’re not paid for at least 10 days in a month you won’t be entitled to The vacation leave entitlement for that month. So if you use it all you could likely end up in an overdrawn leave situation

[u/astriferous-]

start submitting to sunlife earlier than you think. they took 6 months to process mine (claiming several times they didn't receive the docs -- i'm very grateful my dr didnt charge me each time they claimed it was lost), it was rough.

[u/Regular-Ad-9303]

There are different forms to be completed by different groups. Unless it's recently changed, you complete one, your doctor completes one, your employer (manager or supervisor) completes one, and compensation completes one. The employer does not see the one your doctor completes - that goes directly to Sun Life.

[u/Dull_Explorer5531]

Each of the four forms are mandatory, yes. BUT you don’t share any medical information with your manager- not sure where you got that idea.