The IWA–Forest Industry Long Term Disability (LTD) Plan provides a monthly benefit to members who have exhausted their short-term disability benefits or WCB wage loss/income continuity benefits and who are unable to work because of a continuing disability. The plan covers illness and injuries that occur both on and off the job and provides you with income while you are disabled. The LTD plan will provide support while you are recovering and, if appropriate, develop an active rehabilitation program tailored to your individual needs. You will also receive extended health and dental benefits.
Contact the Plan Office. Since each situation is unique, it is best to get in touch with one of our LTD Benefits Coordinators. They can determine if you are eligible to make a claim, and give you the information you need to apply for LTD benefits. For ways to reach us, click contact us.
LTD payments will start once we have received proof of your last payment of Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits from Service Canada, or a rejection letter stating that you are not entitled to EI sickness benefits.
If your LTD claim is filed late (more than 90 days following the expiration of your qualification period), trustee approval may be required before your claim is accepted. This could cause a delay in the processing of your claim.
Dental and extended health coverage will start the first day of the month which follows your LTD eligibility date. If your eligibility date falls on the first of the month, your ancillary benefits would start on that day. Late filing rules also apply here, as explained in the answer above.
First, contact the Plan Office. We will require a letter of termination from WCB confirming the start and end dates of your wage loss/income continuity benefits. If you have been pensioned by WCB, we would also require the details of your pension award.
Once a month, on the last banking date of the month.
As long as you remain disabled under the terms of the LTD plan and meet all eligibility requirements, your LTD benefits can continue up to age 60. However, if you are between 59 to 65 years of age on your LTD eligibility date then LTD benefits may be paid for up to a maximum of 12 months per claim. LTD benefits will terminate no later than the month in which you turn age 65. You may qualify for LTD benefits more than once between the ages of 59 to 65 with a maximum duration of 12 months for each claim.
No.
Yes. Any CPP disability benefit or WCB pension payment are deducted from your gross LTD benefit.
Yes. To do this, download and complete a direct deposit authorization form and return it to the Plan Office, along with a personalized void cheque. Once we have processed your request, your next payment will be by direct deposit. If your direct deposit form is received after the 15th of the month, you will have to wait another month before the switch will be made from cheque to direct deposit.
Yes. Please download, complete and return the current TD1 personal tax credits return form to the Plan Office. The minimum tax rate is 10%, as stipulated by the Canada Revenue Agency.
Effective September 1, 2022, the maximum gross monthly payment is $2,750, less any applicable offsets (for example, CPP Disability benefit or WCB awards; plus taxes withheld).
Your LTD benefit entitlement depends on various factors, including your date of disability, your LTD eligibility date and the contribution rate paid by your employer.
Yes, please contact the Plan Office and you will be connected with the rehabilitation counsellor for your region.