If you are not able to continue to work because of a disability, you might be facing many changes in your life, including financial.
Good news -- you may qualify for a LAPP disability pension.
A disability pension from LAPP is calculated based on your age, years of service in the Plan, and your highest average salary. The pension will be paid to you for as long as you live, unless you return to work or no longer qualify for a disability pension. Once your disability pension begins, we will contact you from time-to-time to verify that your disability continues.
The two types of LAPP disability pensions are a Total Disability Pension and a Partial Disability Pension.
Partial Disability
Incapable of effectively performing the regular duties of his/her work as a result of his/her physical or mental impairment.
Total Disability
Suffering from a physical or mental impairment that can reasonably be expected to last for the remainder of the patient’s lifetime and prevents the patient from engaging in any gainful occupation.
If you and your doctor(s) decide that you are not able to continue working, complete the Disability Retirement Benefits Application Form and Confidential Medical Statement.
Type of LTD Plan | Is It An LTD Plan Filed With LAPP? | May Receive A LAPP Disability Pension? |
---|---|---|
No LTD Plan Coverage | N/A | May be eligible to apply |
LTD Sponsored by your Employer | Yes | No |
LTD Sponsored by your Employer | No | May be eligible to apply (if you resign or move to a non-LAPP participating position) |
Temporary partial or total disability Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) benefit | Yes | No |
Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) Income Replacement (WCB has determined you are not able to return to work) |
N/A | May be eligible to apply |
If you are off work while disabled and receiving a benefit from a disability plan filed with LAPP, or a WCB temporary total disability or temporary partial disability benefit, you will not be able to receive a LAPP disability pension. You can apply for a LAPP disability pension when you are no longer eligible to receive LTD benefits or WCB Income Replacement.
You will continue to be a member of LAPP while you are receiving pay from an LTD plan filed with LAPP or from WCB Income Replacement. You must pay LAPP pension contributions as if you were still at work receiving your income before becoming disabled. The time that you receive pay from a filed LTD plan or WCB income replacement will count towards the service you have in LAPP.
You cannot apply for a disability pension (unless you resign or move to a non-LAPP participating position), but you will have the choice to buy that service as a period of leave.
If you are diagnosed with an illness or disability that is terminal or will shorten your life expectancy considerably, you may be eligible to access all or a portion of your LAPP benefit entitlement.
Please visit the Shortened Life Expectancy page for more information.