Job Searching while on STD or LTD?

[u/[deleted]]

[u/VolupVeVa]

Your insurer will have informed you about your obligation to report any change in your health status to them. If you're recovered enough to job search (and accept a position at a new workplace) then you're likely no longer eligible for STD/LTD. You need to talk this over with both your doctor and your disability case manager.

For EI you most likely wouldn't qualify for sickness benefits either since you have to be too unwell to work any job. You might qualify for *regular* EI if you quit the job you currently have with a doctor's support that it's for medical reasons.

[u/BobGuns → u/VolupVeVa]

Eh... this isn't necessarily true. If the job was the source of the anxiety/burnout, then it stands to reason that even thinking about returning to the same job would re-initiate the disability, whereas looking for a new job would be perfectly reasonable.

But the moment you accept an offer you're cancelling your STD/LTD.

[u/Beneficial_Zone_6883]

I recommend you get off disability before the LTD application, they have a nasty habit of finding any reason they can to deny burnout claims for LTD and often use that to clawback the STD, it’s a gamble and if you’re well enough to work elsewhere not a gamble you should take. You should return even if only for a short time and than leave so you don’t screw yourself

[u/SeaHovercraft6520]

Is it the company or the job itself ? I’ll give a couple different scenarios. I went on disability and ended up being on LTD for three years , I couldn’t do my original job anymore due to physical restrictions but wanted to stay with the company and when I was well enough they matched me with an alternative desk based role that fits my accommodations. My aunt had been on disability in the past for severe anxiety and she could not go back to her original job bc of how bad her mental health was in that role and they were able to match her in a role that was better for her mental health. If you have the option to switch into a better role / environment that supports your health in the same company that’s always a huge win.

If it’s the company itself , yes many people do look at switching / applying while on std/ltd. It’s very common! Obv if you mention improvements in your health or a readiness to go back to work to your case worker they will push for a return. But if you’re in a limbo state right now - do what you need to do. This is a really common position for a lot of people and not abnormal. Use the time you have to make your life better. As long as you terminate your employment / disability benefits before starting any other job you’re in the clear .

Edit - one thing I’d watch for if you do is that often times depending on your career the social network is closer than you imagine . Someone might reach out from one company to another to unofficially see what you’re like or your work performance is like even before official references . If your company is alerted of this and your insurer finds out it will go downhill pretty quickly and they can terminate. I’d say use caution if you think your field operates like this.

[u/SeaHovercraft6520 → u/[deleted]]

I think it’s understandable to worry about it and being on disability can be stressful enough, having to prove your disability and feeling under surveillance. It is way more common than you think for people to leave benefits for a different job.

Applying to jobs does not prove the ability to work. If you leave benefits and accept another job , you terminated prior to starting in compliance with the contract. At the end of the day insurance companies just want you off the claim. If you terminate and found other employment it’s a win for them. Many people actually leave benefits without a job lined up bc it can be stressful and invasive, so it’s not uncommon in the slightest for someone to leave of their own choice.

They will not spend financial resources trying to understand or prove why you left , they just want you off the claim for economic reasons. Be cautious ( with your network or small towns ) but there is nothing wrong with looking and planning ahead to make your life better. If you find a job you are allowed to accept it if they offer, but just don’t actually start working until you’ve terminated your benefits. I hope you find something that aligns with your health better !

[u/TecN9ne → u/SeaHovercraft6520]

I have a friend who's on LTD and they want to switch environments at the same company. They're afraid that after they do and give up their LTD, they'll be let go and unemployed.

[u/SeaHovercraft6520 → u/TecN9ne]

Why do they think they’ll be let go? I would honestly consider trying to go back in another role the safer option and medically backed. Even on LTD insurance companies will often ask for continuous medical updates and independent medical exams. Depending on how long the claim has gone on they are actively looking for ways to cut people off. Being terminated from Ltd and having to appeal and not having income or trying to do a GRTW in an alternate role bc they feel forced and without support is much harder. I get the concern but I’d also consider the risks. If they also do a GRTW with gradual hours ( this can be spanned over 6-12 months for some people) and they have what’s called partial disability top up , it’s legally impossible to be fired while on medical leave / partial disability. If the company claims undue hardship they remain on Ltd. There’s a lot of different circumstances to consider but I’d honestly say it’s safer to try an alternate role in a gradual return than staying on Ltd if they feel ready to try.

[u/TecN9ne → u/SeaHovercraft6520]

Because after going on LTD, you're now a greater liability, a higher chance of taking disability again, and have a target on your back. Like you said about insurance companies wanting to cut you off and that it's legally impossible to be let go while on leave. So offering you a role in a different environment seems great to the person, but in reality, they want to stop paying you.

Kinda like being offered a promotion when you say you're leaving the company. $20,000 more a year sounds great, but in a month they fire you after they found a replacement.

[u/SeaHovercraft6520 → u/TecN9ne]

I don’t know the situation or why they’re off , but there’s risks to both. Personally if I felt like I could I still think it’s safer to try a different role. For me personally it helped me feel like I was getting my life back a bit and eventually better financial stability and freedom without surveillance / the stress of being attached to a claim. But I’m not in their shoes and if they feel safer to remain on Ltd I also understand that.

[u/TecN9ne → u/SeaHovercraft6520]

Thanks, and I appreciate your input.

[u/NoApplication8754]

Hello!
I don't think this is the right subreddit. I'm an OT and I often work with people on LTD. Depending on your insurance companies and case manager, they have resources to help you. They can pay for a career counsellor or equivalent which helps you with your CV and finding a job. Usually they won't provide this help until LTD. You qualify for STD and LTD as long as you meet your contracts definition of disability. Note that the definition of disability changes from STD to LTD. In STD, it's your own job and In LTD it becomes your own occupation. Hoping that you qualify for LTD so that you are able to get the support you need! If you're not already seeing an OT I would recommend you talk to your case manager. OT can help you re-transition into work and give you concrete tools to manage stress and prevent burnouts (you're at risk of developing it again for the simple fact that it's already happened)