Another Employment Insurance Question - Sickness Benefits

Do you have it in writing from them when they said they would pay your benefits? Short term disability is generally for the first few weeks of an illness and then you revert to long term. Something doesn't make sense - I know every STD plan is different, but that seems weird that they expect you to go on EI before being eligible for short term disability benefits.

In fact, many employers get a reduction in their EI premiums IF they offer a short term disability plan, because EI assumes that people will use their short term disability plan before going on EI. Check it out here. If your employer is taking advantage of a reduction in premiums but then not letting their employees access short term disability, that's a problem.

Ask for a copy of your short term disability plan from the insurance company your employer uses, if they use one. Workplaces that offer benefits and insurance have the eligibility terms from the insurance company in a plan document, which each employee should have a copy of, or at least access to.

Unless, of course, your workplace simply funds its own short term disability by just allowing you the days off with pay. In which case, I'd ask for a copy of the company's policy.  If they don't have one, and they're letting some people take time off for surgery and not others, then there could be a discrimination issue at hand, which I'd look into as well if I were you.

Good luck, and I'm sorry your employer is dicking you around on this.  It just makes everything more complicated when they do that!

That's terrible! I'm so sorry to hear that! I'm having surgery feb 10th and still can't seem to get an answer as to if I will be paid. 

I can relate to your stress! 

Regardless, in the end we will be happy we did this! 

Jenn 

Another resource you might try is:

The Workers Action Centre - they advise non-unionized workers on their rights at work and may have info for you. Their phone number is (416) 531-0778. Their info line has short hours - Monday to Wednesday from 11-3, and Thursday from 1-3, but you should be able to reach them this afternoon.

Edited to add: I'm just assuming you're not unionized, but I shouldn't assume that. If you are a union member, then contact your union pronto! They will be able to help.

I don't think it matters when you apply for EI they will not do anything until they receive the ROE from your employer.

On the EI website when I did a search it says 

When will I know if I am eligible to receive EI sickness benefits?

If you are eligible to receive EI benefits, you should receive your first payment within 28 days of the date we receive your application and all required documents.

__________________________________________________

In regards to short term disability some employers do not have this benefit.  I know ours doesn't.  We have any sick days you may have accrued, then its EI.  I am planning on applying the last day I work before surgery.

3 years ago next month I had to go off work. I waited 13 weeks before I got any payment from them. It was ridiculous. Call them!! It was June by the time I got my money and they owed me over $4000.00

I've been on EI twice in the last 3 years (maternity leaves)... So I feel like a pro at this. You can apply on your last day of work. Ask your HR department to send in a digital copy of your ROE (Record of Employment) if they can. It speeds things up. Call the next business day and every couple days after that to see if they have received the copy of the ROE. Your work can also provide you with a copy.  There is a two week waiting period that you won't recieve benefits for. Then two weeks after that you should get paid for one week, and then every two weeks after that you'll get two weeks of payments. If after 28 days you have no payment, call them!  Call them first thing in the morning. If you get put into the loop of the voicemail system, keep pressing 1 then 0 then 1 then 0 and so on...  That way you'll stay in cue. If they can't provide you with answers, and are still processing your request but have all your documents (including your ROE) go to your mp's office (or call them) and they can usually get things taken care of in a couple days.  You can waste a lot of time with reps from service Canada saying they will escalate your application/account and they don't - so always call back the next day and see if anything has happened with your account.  Hope this helps anyone who has been waiting more than 4 weeks!!!!