Can I work part-time while receiving Disability Benefits?

Absolutely! At Canadian LIC, we often see clients wanting to return to work part-time while collecting Short Term Disability Insurance. One of our clients, Emma, wanted to return to work for a few hours a week just so she would feel productive and could maintain some social contacts. It’s essential to check with your own policy to see what limitations or requirements exist within your unique Disability Insurance Policy. Almost any policy will allow some forms of work, so long as you report that income and it doesn’t conflict with the terms under which you’re considered disabled.

This is very common with many of our clients here at Canadian LIC. For instance, Mark was receiving Long Term Disability Insurance due to a back injury. He eventually felt strong enough to return to work part-time as a consultant. The real key here is communication. Partial ability to work or rehabilitation programs are commonly an option in most Long Term Disability Insurance Policies. Provided that you are earning within the allowed limits and still remain disabled as defined by your policy, your benefits may be adjusted based on your earnings, but you won’t lose them outright.

First, you will want to have a discussion with your insurance advisor at Canadian LIC. As we did in the case of our client Lata, who was recuperating from surgery and who was very anxious to return to part-time work, review your Disability Insurance Policy to determine exactly what it states in terms of working part-time. Then, notify your insurance company of your plan to return to work part-time. By doing this, you are fulfilling your obligations under your policy and avoiding any potential problems with your benefits.

Yes, there could be. Your Disability Insurance Policy is going to have a variety of definitions. We had a guy, Tarun, an electrician who couldn’t return to full duty after a knee injury. He was able to find a part-time position working in a hardware store, which didn’t require him to be doing the heavy work of an electrician anymore. Your policy’s going to state whether you have to be unable to perform your own job or any job. It’s important to note these facts. You can discuss them with us at Canadian LIC, as we will seek to find part-time work that fits your ability and the policy restrictions fairly.

The impact of part-time income on your Disability Benefits varies by policy. We helped a client, Rachel, navigate this when she started a part-time online business. Most commonly, a Disability Insurance provider will directly deduct the amount you earn from part-time work, dollar for dollar, from your benefits to supplement your income up to a certain percentage of your pre-disability earnings, ensuring you do not suffer financially while encouraging your return to the workforce.

The more transparency, the better. We always tell our clients at Canadian LIC to keep the insurer in the loop. For example, after our client Derek started working part-time, we drafted a detailed letter to his insurer that noted the hourly work and the nature of his job. Always provide timely updates regarding any changes in your work status to avoid complications with your benefits.

Of course! At Canadian LIC, we not only provide advice on Disability Insurance Policies but also help our clients with part-time job placement that suits their current capabilities. For instance, we helped Nora, who could no longer work as a nurse, find a very fulfilling part-time role as a patient education coordinator. We can help you in the pursuit of opportunities within the realms of your health needs and areas of career interest.

If you start working part-time and your health begins to decline, you need to reassess your situation. We had a client, Alex, whose condition got worse, and we quickly took action in order for his work commitment to be adjusted and his benefits reappraised. Contact your insurance provider and treat the doctor immediately. Your Disability Insurance is there to help you, and adjustments can be made to benefit payments and the work plan if your health deteriorates negatively.

Everything has to be documented. So, in Canadian LIC, we do this quite often with our clients, as we did with Susan. Now, when Susan decided she wanted to start a part-time job while on Long Term Disability Insurance with Canadian LIC, we helped her get proper documentation, such as a letter from the employer detailing how many hours one works and the job description, along with recent medical reports. Always provide any required documentation on time to ensure your benefits are uninterrupted and not concealed from your insurance provider.

This is a big step, and it’s important to do it right. David was a client at Canadian LIC who increased his work hours from part-time to full-time on a gradual basis. If you’re thinking you’re ready for full-time, make sure you first talk to your doctor to confirm it’s safe for your health. Once you’ve determined your plan with your doctor, let’s discuss it here at Canadian LIC. We’ll help you understand what this change in employment means for your Disability Insurance Policy. Be aware that your benefits may change or terminate based on the conditions of the policy, so planning for this transition is very important.

This will vary widely depending on the policy. Recently, we had a case with a gentleman named Jeremy who was able to work part-time for as long as he earned little money. You should review your policy to learn what specific restrictions may apply to how much you are able to earn and how long you are allowed to work part-time. At Canadian LIC, these areas are worked through with our clients to ensure that they are making an educated choice about not harming their disability status.

You must, of course, decide to work part-time based on your abilities and medical limitations. For instance, one of our clients, Helen, worked part-time as a virtual assistant while she was collecting Short Term Disability Insurance benefits. In this way, she could easily work from home and manage her recovery more effectively. We at Canadian LIC will advise you on how to look for flexible and low-stress jobs that can be modified according to your health conditions. We will be able to help you find an appropriate position and even negotiate with future employers regarding your accommodation needs.

Generally speaking, getting added health benefits from a part-time job is considered good, but one would have to declare that to one’s Disability Insurance provider. Our client Greg started getting health benefits from a new part-time employer; those did not cut or directly affect his Disability Benefits; they increased his total health coverage. Obviously, every case is different. Let us review your Disability Insurance Policy at Canadian LIC to determine how additional health benefits might interact with your current Disability Benefits.

The process of reporting your earnings is very simple but important. Our client keeps proper records of the part-time earnings they collect and then submit them on a monthly basis to their provider for their Disability Insurance. Canadian LIC would also encourage regular basis reporting with your provider so that you can fulfill the requirements under the terms of your policy. This will definitely keep your provider updated about your recent income so that there will not be any misunderstandings when your benefits are calculated.

Yes, it can, depending on how much you bring in. For instance, Michael, a client at Canadian LIC, had balanced his earnings to stay within the permissive limits of his government Disability Benefits. You just have to know how much you’re allowed to bring in before you are impacted. We can help you understand both your private Disability Insurance Policies and government regulations to ensure you are receiving maximum benefits without jeopardizing your eligibility.