Part 2 of Long Term Disability (Part one is Episode 2). Covers qualifying period, pay, taxes etc., plus a recap of the first three episodes.

Feedback: navigatingdisabilitywithme@gmail.com

Links:

1. Canada.ca for EI estimator
2. North Shore Resource Centre https://nsdrc.org
3. Inclusion Alberta https://inclusionalberta.org
4. Centre for Independent Living Toronto https://cilt.ca/
5. Disability Alliance of BC https://disabilityalliancebc.org/

Tips - from this episode:

1. Qualifying period and criteria for Long Term Disability vary by company.
2. Use your allied health professionals (Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists etc.) in applying for Long Term Disability, in cooperation with your doctor.
3. Previous overtime pay likely won't be used in calculating your LTD pay.
4. LTD pay is taxable. Consider having the insurance company take tax off for you so you won't be left with a tax bill at the end of the year. Note that they may take less than necessary. *Note that Meghan says for her the insurance company takes $3000/month in taxes. ERROR! They take off about $300/month in taxes at her request.* Hellooo brain fog.
5. Or, consider using an online tax calculator to figure out how much tax you will owe at the end of the first year on LTD income and put that away throughout the year, so you're not stuck with a huge tax bill you can't pay at the end of the year.
6. If you have extended medical benefits through work you may keep your benefits but you may need to pay some of the premium. Note that your portion is tax deductible.
7. Because your income drops your eligibility for things like GST credits, FairPharmacare and other government programs may change (as in you may qualify for more benefits).

Tips - from summary of first three episodes

Episode 1: Short Term Disability

1. Look on Canada.ca for EI estimator
2. Don't abuse your sick time, you may need it
3. STD and LTD can overlap, bringing your pay way up (temporarily, for as long as STD lasts)

Episode 2: Long Term Disability Part 1

1. Photocopy Dr portion of application and fill in yourself to give Dr a fuller idea of what's going on. They can then fill in their portion better.
2. Keep notes of all interactions with the insurance company, government etc. with names and dates.
3. If you don't have a GP try to stick to one walk in clinic to keep your chart all in one place.

Episode 3: Be the Village

1. Look for local resource groups. Examples:
   1. North Shore Resource Centre (https://nsdrc.org)
   2. Inclusion Alberta (https://inclusionalberta.org)
   3. Centre for Independent Living Toronto (https://cilt.ca/)
   4. Disability Alliance of BC (https://disabilityalliancebc.org/
2. Be mindful of what you post on social media
3. Be part of the community, you can give back in your own way
4. Look into your Buy Nothing Group
5. Remember to respect your/others boundaries