Applying for Long-Term Disability Benefits with a Mental Health Illness — A Guide

 

According to the Center for Addiction and Mental Health in Canada, 1 in 5 people in Canada has experienced mental illness at some point in their lives. Mental health issues are more prevalent in older people, as 50% of people above 40 in Canada have dealt with mental health issues. The research also showed that young people aged 14-25 are more likely to experience a mental health problem than any other age group in Canada. Women in Canada have a higher rate of experiencing mental health issues like anxiety and mood disorders. Additionally, Canadians who are in the lower income groups are more likely to develop the symptoms of mental health illness than people in high-income groups.

The same survey showed that 75% of respondents admitted that due to the stigma revolving around mental health, they would be reluctant to disclose their mental health problems to their employers. However, this can lead to major issues. If your mental health condition worsens, you won’t be able to work, making things more challenging without confiding in your employer or company. According to another research, mental health problems like anxiety and depression can affect a person's productivity and work quality, leading to job loss. Besides finding it more challenging to work with your mental health problem, people with mental health issues can be discriminated against during the recruitment procedure, making it more challenging to find a job. Therefore, long-term disability lawyers recommend people with severe mental health illnesses get long-term disability benefits and workers' compensation.

This article discusses how people with mental health illnesses can apply for long-term disability benefits in Canada.

 

Depression — Disability in Canada

News reports show that anxiety and depression are at an all-time high among Canadian citizens. 1 in 8 people in Canada is currently showing signs of depression. The increasing number of people experiencing depression and other depressive mood disorders has resulted in the Government of Canada recognizing it as a disability. Additionally, depressive mood disorders like bipolar disorder and perinatal depression are also viewed as disabilities by the Canadian authorities. The discussions on the stigma around depression and how depressive mood disorders impact a person’s likelihood of earning enough money have resulted in depressed individuals being eligible for disability benefits.

Long-term disability lawyers and mental health advocates consider it a huge win for people in Canada who find it challenging to maintain a constant job. Getting disability benefits for mental health illnesses allows people with depression to prioritize their mental health and well-being without worrying about meeting rent or paying bills. The provision of long-term disability benefits for people with mental health issues is an important step to ending the stigma around mental health problems, helping such people get the help they need to lead better lives.

 

What are the Government-Based Disability Benefits Programs?

The Canadian government has launched several long-term disability benefits programs for people with mental health problems. If your doctor has diagnosed you with a mental health problem, you can apply for any of the disability benefits provided by the Government of Canada. Read more about these disability benefits programs.

Employment Insurance Benefits

One of the most common temporary benefits paid to people with mental health illnesses is the employment insurance benefit. If you lose your job due to a depressive disorder or can’t find a new job due to no fault of your own, you’ll get around 15 weeks of financial compensation from the Canadian Government. Employment Insurance (EI) benefits are targeted at people who get short-term disabilities due to sickness like depressive episodes. In EI, you’ll receive 65% of your weekly salary, with a maximum limit of $650, as a disability benefit. Additionally, you can even get a 26-week paid leave if you apply for EI at the end of the work year, in the last couple of weeks of December.

 

Canada Pension Plan Benefits

The Canada Pension Plan or CPP Benefits target people with prolonged disabilities, which prevent them from working and earning. However, you’re only eligible for the CPP if you contributed to it financially while working. This means that you have to make some payments while you’re employed to be considered for Canada Pension Plan Benefits when you can no longer work due to a mental health issue. Additionally, people above 65 aren’t eligible for the Canada Pension Plan Benefits.

Other Benefits

Besides these government-backed short-term disability benefits, you might also be eligible for provincial social security if you have a mental health problem. Some employees also offer disability insurance for workers who can’t work for some time due to a mental health illness.

 

What Are the Long-Term Disability Benefits for People with Mental Health Problems?

Besides getting temporary benefits as a person with a mental health issue, you can also apply for long-term disability benefits. The Public Service Management Insurance Plan (PSMIP-LTD)has introduced long-term disability insurance for people with physical and mental health disabilities. If you can’t work due to a mental health issue and have medical records to prove that, it’s advisable to let this insurance program cover your living costs.

However, if you’re already receiving disability benefits from your company or any other Government-based disability program, you can’t apply for long-term disability insurance. In the same way, people who belong to any designated group that receives other benefits or individuals who have served as public officials are exempted from the Public Service Management Insurance Plan.

 

Who’s Eligible for the PSMIP-LTD?

Only people who have worked before are eligible for long-term disability compensation. Both full-time and part-time workers should have a record of constant employment for at least 6 months to be eligible for the long-term disability insurance program. If you were a part-time worker, you should have worked at least one-third of the work hours of a full-time worker in Canada. You don’t need to fill out a specific application form to apply for long-term disability benefits, as you automatically become eligible the day you show your mental health disability. You can start receiving the full coverage you need as soon as you become eligible.

What Benefits Do PSMIP-LTD Provide?

Once you’re eligible for PSMIP-LTD, you can receive the following benefits.

● The financial compensation that’s equal to around 70% of your previous salary. However, you must remember that you must pay taxes on the financial benefits you receive as a person with a mental health illness.

● An increase of 3% annually to match the increased cost of living and inflation

● Rehabilitation option for people who want to join a program or get therapy

However, you need to remember that the benefits stop once you reach the age of 65 or get well enough to start working again. If you have other sources of income, like rent coming in from a property or profit from a previous mutual funds investment, you might receive a lower amount as disability funds provision. The Public Service Management Insurance Plan also has some pre-existing conditions you might have to meet if you need disability benefits for more than 24 months.

  

Considering Applying for Disability Benefits? Hire a Long-Term Disability Lawyer from Nanda & Associate Lawyers

With the help of a long-term disability lawyer, you can get the long-term disability benefits you need to pay for your treatment and other necessities. Working with a mental health issue can be challenging, making it essential for people with mental health diseases to hire personal injury lawyers and apply for their deserved benefits. Nanda & Associate Lawyers has a team of highly-experienced, and professional personal injury lawyers who help accident victims and differently-abled people get long-term benefits or financial compensation for being the victim of a car or truck accident. The long-term disability lawyers at Nanda & Associate Lawyers ensure you get the optimal long-term disability compensation if you’re experiencing anxiety, depression, or another mental health illness.

Besides helping individuals get financial compensation for their mental health illness or being in an accident, Nanda & Associate Lawyers also offer services in many other legal areas. They have a team of immigration lawyers who help individuals who want to immigrate to Canada by filling out application forms and providing customized legal guidance. Their immigration lawyers also represent people who want to get asylum in Canada or need re-entry to the country after being deported. Nanda & Associate Lawyers also has family law lawyers who handle pre-nuptial agreements, child custody, alimony, and divorce cases. Their commercial real estate lawyers handle real estate transactions in Ontario. They also have litigation lawyers who’re responsible for representing businesses and guiding them in legal matters. Additionally, their wills and estate lawyers help people make timely estate plans and distribute their assets according to Canadian law.

Book a consultation session with their long-term disability lawyers immediately and get the disability benefits you need to live a decent life and manage your mental health illness in Canada.

 Disclaimer: This article is only intended for educational purposes and shouldn’t be used as a substitute for legal advice.