Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits
EI sickness benefits are a temporary disability benefit. They are paid through the federal governments employment insurance program. EI pays 55% of your salary for 15 weeks.
To qualify, you must have paid into the EI program recently. You pay through deductions from your paycheque. These are automatic. So, if you got an official paycheque, you paid into the EI program.
You apply for EI benefits online through Service Canada. You can apply from home or at any Service Canada office. Your doctor needs to fill out a form to confirm that you cant work for the 15 weeks that EI covers. And finally, your employer will need to issue a Record of Employment to confirm your sick leave.
Please note: If you qualify for short-term disability, then you cant claim EI benefits at the same time.
You can learn more about EI by visiting our article on the EI sickness benefits program.
Finding Quality Treatment For Substance Use Disorders
This fact sheet serves as a guide for individuals seeking behavioral health treatment. It provides three necessary steps to complete prior to utilizing a treatment center and the five signs of a quality treatment center, which include a review of the accreditation, medication, evidence-based practices, position on the role of families, and support networks.
Meeting A Disability Listing For Depression Or Bipolar Disorder
The Social Security Administration will automatically grant disability benefits for depression or bipolar disorder if you can show you have the symptoms and limitations listed in its official disability listing for depression or bipolar disorder. The SSA will consider treatment notes from your doctor or psychologist, mental status evaluations, psychological testing, and any reports of hospitalizations.
Symptoms. To qualify for either disability benefits on the basis of depression, you must show you have at least five of the following symptoms:
- depressed mood
- distractibility
- involvement in risky activities with painful consequences that are not recognized, and/or
- increase in physical agitation or in in goal-directed activity .
Limitations. For either disorder, you must show that you also have a loss of abilities, either an extreme limitation in one of the following areas or a “marked” limitation in two or more of the following areas:
- adapting to change or managing oneself
- concentrating on and finishing tasks
- interacting with others using use socially appropriate behaviors, and/or
- understanding, remembering, or using information .
Also Check: What Is The Meaning Of Phobia
Is Depression A Disability In Canada
Depression is undoubtedly a serious mental illness, but is depression a disability in Canada? Lets look at the facts.
Depression is one of the most widespread, yet least understood, conditions out there. Around 8 per cent of adults experience severe depression at some point in their lives and suicide is the second leading cause of death among Canadians between 15-24.
Yet only half of depression and anxiety sufferers seek out medical treatment for their condition. This can largely be traced to the stigma thats still attached to depression, with many dismissing it as mere sadness or being in a rut.
The truth is that depression is a medical condition that can have a major impact on your quality of life, preventing you from working or even getting out of bed. Its a gradual draining of the joy in your life, leaving you sad, scared, and trapped for most hours of the day.
According to the official Disability Tax Credit eligibility criteria, there is no doubt that depression is a disability in Canada and therefore qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit and other Canadian disability benefits.
Tips On How To Get Disability For Depression
There are provisions to receive emotional disability benefits for depression but you may need strong evidence to get the same. Some of how you can increase your chances of qualifying for the benefits are to:
Write a convincing personal narrative about your condition.Submit a psychological evaluation that helps the SSA conclude is depression a disability for you.
Frequent doctor visits will support your case as the doctor can confirm the severity of your symptoms.
Be consistent with the prescribed treatment to prove that you are taking all possible measures on how to prevent depression from your end.
Avoid substance abuse or alcohol consumption as they might undermine your case.
Hire an attorney with expertise in how to get a disability for depression.
You May Like: What’s The Phobia Of Long Words
Who Suffers From Generalized Anxiety Disorders
While we all worry about the health of their loved ones, how we will pay our bills or other daily problems in our lives, some people who suffer from a generalized anxiety disorder worry excessively about these problems. Individuals suffering from generalized anxiety disorder may become extremely worried about their daily problems, even when others believe that there is little or no reason for them to worry.
Individuals suffering from a generalized anxiety disorder may become so worried and anxious about their daily responsibilities and activities that they become overwhelmed and struggle to get through the day. Sometimes, the worry about daily responsibilities and activities may convince them that their problems will never improve and never get better.
Ticket To Work Changed My Life
Driving back from visiting her parents, Northern Indiana resident Lori heard her phone ring. She recognized the number immediately. She pulled off into the parking lot of a small shopping center and answered, Hello?
It was a representative from Employment Options, Loris employment service provider through the Ticket to Work program. The representative was calling to set up a time to help Lori create a path back to work.
Lori was overwhelmed with emotion. But, for the first time in a long time, she didnt have a panic attack. She felt hopeful, strong and ready. However, she still had many concerns about taking the next step.
You May Like: What’s The Phobia Of Long Words
Your Anxiety Disorder Disability Case
If you are disabled because of an Anxiety Disorder that prevents you from working, you may well be entitled to Social Security Disability benefits. Although total disability based on an Anxiety Disorder can be difficult to prove due to the subjective nature of diagnosis, working closely with medical professionals and a qualified Social Security disability attorney or advocate to collect and present the appropriate documentation to support your disability claim can help to ensure that you present the strongest possible disability case.
Applying For Disability With Depression
Basic requirements for disability claimsdepressiondisability evaluation processrequirements for SSI and SSDISGA level work activitysevere medically verifiable mental or physical conditionDepression is evaluated under the criteria of listing 12.04 Affective Disorders.Impairment listing 12.04 criteria may be satisfied by the following methods.andrepeated decompensationsorfiling for Social Security and/or Supplemental Security disabilityMore about the conditionMost popular topics on SSDRC.com
Also Check: What’s The Phobia Of Long Words
How Can The Nba Help Me
Anxiety is considered a disability by the Canadian government, and as such, may qualify those suffering from the illness for disability benefits. The types of benefits may vary with the severity of the condition, but their purpose is the same to enable a person to live a life where their disability does not dampen their quality of life.
The National Benefit Authority has similar goals. As Canadas top Disability Tax Credit service provider, weve helped thousands of differently-abled Canadians qualify for and claim disability benefits. Our specialists have guided over 40,000 Canadians and counting, recovering upwards of $50,000 per application!
Many Canadians, who are entitled to a disability tax refund from the government, dont claim them because they are unaware of the available Canadian disability benefits, or because the DTC application is simply too time-consuming and complex. With the NBA, those concerns are covered we oversee the entire process, from determining your Disability Tax Credit eligibility, through receiving your Disability Tax Credit. We follow up directly with the CRA but work on your behalf to provide you peace of mind.
What Can Cause Ssdi Benefits To Cancel
While receiving SSDI benefits, your treatment continues simultaneously.
Once recovery is met, people opt for more stable jobs.
Reasons for the cancellation are:
- Medical Improvement
- Going about the Income or Asset Limits
- Turning 18 if one was on the benefits of the parents
- Changes in life situations
You can also secure your SSID benefits along with your work, but to do that, you are required to follow certain rules:
Read Also: The Suffix Phobia Means
Qualifying For Disability Based On Reduced Functional Capacity
If you don’t qualify under the SSA’s requirements for major depression, above, the SSA will next consider your depression symptoms and to what extent they impair your ability to do the usual activities of daily living, and if there is any kind of work you can be expected to do. The SSA will give you a rating of the type of work it thinks you can do . This is called your residual functional capacity , and in the case of depression, it’s called a mental RFC rather than a physical RFC.
If the SSA finds that you can do at least unskilled work, as is likely if you didn’t meet the official listing above, you won’t be granted benefits. But if the SSA finds that you cannot perform even unskilled work , the SSA might grant you benefits under a “medical-vocational allowance.” However, most claimants applying for disability benefits for depression either qualify under the official listing or don’t qualify at all.
But if you have any type of physical impairment in addition to depression, this can change. For example, if you get a mental RFC for unskilled work and a physical RFC for sedentary work, there might be few jobs you can do in this category, and you might be able to qualify for benefits under a medical-vocational allowance.
Anxiety Disorders And Symptoms:
Anxiety disorders can affect any person of any age, ethnicity, or social class, and if symptoms become disabling, many can seek financial support for treatment through the Canadian disability tax credit. There are six main categories of disorders categorized by type and severity of symptoms:
Each type of anxiety disorder can interact with one another, or multiple anxiety disorders can co-exist within one person. As symptoms progress, the condition can become disabling those needing treatment might wish to apply for the Disability Tax Credit offered in Canada. There are general disability credits as well as a child disability tax credit for youth or children who are suffering from a disabling anxiety disorder.
Recommended Reading: Three Phases Of Schizophrenia
You Can Do This: Work Incentives Made All The Difference
After receiving benefits counseling, Lori worked with Paula at Employment Options on a new resumé. They created an Individual Work Plan a list of tasks and goals that would help her find a job. Loris IWP focused on jobs that would allow her to work from home, that would be engaging and challenging, and that would enable her to earn a regular, steady income.
I knew I had the potential to do something and Paula kept telling me you can do this. I just needed a little help making it happen.
Employment Options told Lori about Social Security rules called Work Incentives. Work Incentives make it easier for adults with disabilities to explore work while still receiving Medicaid or Medicare and some cash benefits from Social Security. Because Lori received SSDI benefits, she would be able to test her ability to work during a nine-month Trial Work Period , while still getting cash benefits.
After Loris TWP ended, a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility would begin. During the EPE, most people with a disabling impairment can receive cash benefits for all months in which they earn less than the Substantial Gainful Activity level for that year. Lori was relieved and felt less anxious when she realized that when she found a job, she would not suddenly lose her Medicare and cash benefits. She would have time to decide if and how full-time employment would work for her.
The Symptoms Of Depression And Anxiety
Depression and anxiety are terrible afflictions that can completely turn your life on its head. There are treatments for these illnesses, however often they become long, drawn out intervention plans that may not be completely effective. Dealing with such medical problems can be overwhelming, and adding financial pressures because of lost time at work or medical costs just make the situation worse. Nonetheless, there could be help in the way of payments to you through the Social Security Disability and/or Supplemental Security Income programs, both administered by the Social Security Administration.
Depression is the most common not-imminently fatal medical condition leading to disability in America. The World Health Organization has identified depression as the number one cause of disability in the world with over 300 million sufferers. Depression causes a person to feel a significant state of sadness, guilt, inadequacy, dejection, and despondency. Along with such feelings there may be insomnia, restless sleep, excessive sleep, lack of energy, reduced or no sexual desire, and appetite loss or excessive eating.
You May Like: What Is The Phobia Of Throwing Up
When Is Depression A Disability You Can Be A Victim Too
Depression will get your mood low or blue for hours or days, or even longer. Being depressed daily will have you not enjoying the activities you would normally have fun doing. The fact that depression cripples your average productivity is a disability.
There is that feeling of hopelessness and reduces self-worth. You may sleep for longer hours and lack the strength to get out of bed and face the world. In other instances, you experience insomnia and constant headaches.
One symptom of depression will elicit after another, from low energy to lack of enthusiasm. All these symptoms may be chronic or can be experienced in cyclic episodes of highs and lows. Depression will lower your performance generally. Causes can be attributed to environmental and genetic factors. Having a history of alcohol and or drug use can be the cause of depression.
The depression may start from certain painful and heartbreaking situations that will lead to episodes of sadness. The attacks may be short at first, but as your condition worsens, you will deteriorate mentally and physically. Clinical depression will cripple your normal daily productivity due to the inability to cope with stress. Depression can render you functionless with the inability to work, perform a routine task, or even make rational decisions.
Some of the symptoms you can present include:
- Low concentration
- Inability to complete tasks
- Suicidal thoughts
When Do Symptoms Of A Generalized Anxiety Disorder Develop
Generalized anxiety disorders do not always develop in adulthood. The symptoms can start when you’re a child, during teen years, or even in young adulthood. It may take a significant amount of time for a doctor or mental health professional to properly diagnose a generalized anxiety disorder. At times, medical providers may be more focused on the individual symptoms related to the generalized anxiety disorder, such as difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, stomach upset or headaches – but they don’t always make the connection to a generalized anxiety disorder and the initial diagnosis might be delayed.
Medical professionals are not sure what causes a person to suffer from a generalized anxiety disorder. In some cases, other family members may suffer from the same type of anxiety disorder. In other cases, it may be an individual diagnosis.
Also Check: What Is A Depression On A Topographic Map
Rule 1# Returning To Work Along With Ssdi Benefits:
If you return to work while receiving the SSID benefits, SSA will consider your case as engaging in substantial gainful activities, but there is only one exception given the trial work period. This trial period allows a person to return to work without losing the benefits of SSDI. According to this exception, you can work up to 9 months despite how much you can earn.
Disability Policies Limit The Receipt Of Benefits For 24 Months
First of all, and dont ask how this is legal and some disability lawyers were going to keep investigating this but most disability policies limit the receipt of benefits for 24 months if the condition is based on a mental health diagnosis. So, yes that policy youve been paying for so many years that you thought was going to provide you protection for your life or at least up until retirement age, its going to limit your receipt of disability benefits for two years if you have a mental health diagnosis. Disability lawyers have spent years in their experience and studying their files looking at various disability policies and seeing how they define a mental health condition. They always say it depends and they do that because every policy defines things differently and with mental health cases you know and theyve got several examples theyre all kind of the same but theres a couple things to watch out for.
You May Like: Depression On A Topographic Map
How Can You Get Ssdi For Depression Criteria To Qualify
The SSDI application will benefit you if you have been struggling with depression for a year or longer, and you are unable to work as before. Mental health disorders are added to the list of medical conditions that qualify you for the benefits. These mental conditions include depression, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, and bipolar disorder.
To qualify for the SSDI, you must experience a minimum of at least five symptoms of depression listed above. You should also have at least one of the following:
- You cannot comprehend information dished to you, interact with others, have the right concentration, and take care of yourself. To qualify, you must be experiencing a minimum of two of the listed symptoms.
- Your depression is considered a disability if your medical records indicate that your symptoms have been persistent. You have been receiving treatment for depression for at least two years.
- You should also be having a hard time adapting to your new lifestyle of living with depression as a disability and adapting to the new set routine.
To have more credit, you should have worked before and paid for your Social Security. The credits are based on your annual net income. If you are not confident whether you qualify for the SSDI, you can contact the administration to confirm your eligibility.
According to the SSDI, you can qualify for exclusive monthly benefits or instead get a medical-vocational allowance.
For you to receive medical funding, the following are needed: