Disability Claims - Active Plan
For timely processing of Short Term Disability (STD) claims, follow the guidelines below to ensure your benefits are processed correctly.
Disability Claims
Disability benefits under the Active Plan provide income support for members who are unable to work due to a non-work-related illness or injury. Coverage includes Short-Term Disability (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) benefits, administered by Canada Life.
How to Make a Short-Term Disability (STD) Claim
1. Contact Your Physician and the Benefits Office
As soon as you become ill or injured:
Contact your physician for a medical assessment
Contact a Benefits of Film (IATSE Local 891) representative to confirm your eligibility
STD claims should be started as early as possible, ideally on the first day you miss work.
2. Obtain and Complete the STD Application
Download the Short-Term Disability Application from www.benefitsoffilm.com
Complete the Employee Statement and Consent section, including:
Your last day worked
Details of your illness or injury
3. Physician’s Statement
Ask your attending physician to complete the Attending Physician’s Statement.
You are responsible for any costs related to completing medical forms. If you have a balance in your Healthcare Spending Account (HCSA), you may submit these costs for reimbursement.
4. Submit Your Claim to Canada Life
Submit your completed STD application and medical documentation to Canada Life using the submission method outlined on www.benefitsoffilm.com.
You are encouraged to apply online, where possible, and to enrol in direct deposit for faster payments.
5. When STD Benefits Begin
If your claim is approved, benefits may begin:
On the first day of disability resulting from an accident, if you see a physician the same day
On the first day of hospitalisation
On the first day of surgery
On the eighth day of disability due to illness that does not require hospitalisation, if you see a physician by day eight
6. Submission Deadline
You must apply for STD benefits no later than six months after:
Your disability begins, or
A WorkSafeBC claim is denied or terminated
If you apply late, benefits may be paid retroactively for a maximum of six months.
Long-Term Disability (LTD)
Transition from STD to LTD
If your disability continues beyond 26 weeks, your claim will automatically transition from STD to LTD. A separate LTD application is not required.
Your Canada Life Case Manager will continue to manage your claim and advise if additional information is needed.
Ongoing Medical Requirements
For LTD benefits:
You may be required to provide periodic medical updates
Canada Life may request further assessments or evaluations to confirm ongoing eligibility
Important Notes About Disability Benefits
Third-Party Benefits
This plan does not pay disability benefits if you are receiving payments from another source, such as WorkSafeBC.If you receive STD benefits while a third-party claim is pending, you must repay those benefits if the third-party claim is approved.
Disability Credits
While receiving disability benefits, you will receive 140 disability hours per month to help maintain your benefits coverage, subject to plan rules.
LTD Offsets
Long-Term Disability benefits may be reduced by other income sources, including:
Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Disability
WorkSafeBC benefits
ICBC Wage Loss benefits
Need Help?
For assistance with disability claims:
Visit www.benefitsoffilm.com
Contact a Benefits of Film representative
Work directly with your Canada Life Case Manager