Disability Insurance Plan summary
This page provides a summary of the disability insurance coverage for eligible employees of the public service under the Disability Insurance (DI) Plan.
Disability Insurance Plan
The public service DI Plan is a mandatory plan for eligible employees of the public service, including eligible members of certain designated groups, that provides disability benefits when an employee is unable to work for long periods due to a totally disabling illness or injury.
Eligibility
The DI Plan covers employees included in collective bargaining who are employed by the Treasury Board or a designated agency or corporation.
This coverage is mandatory for full-time and part-time employees who:
- Are appointed for more than 6 months (part-time employees must work more than one third of the normal work week), or
- Have completed 6 months of continuous employment.
For details on eligibility, refer to the Plan Document, section 4.1: Eligibility.
Enrolment and effective date
- No application is required to become a member of the DI Plan; however, if you become disabled, you must submit a claim to Sun Life to be considered for disability benefits
- Coverage is effective on the date you become eligible
For information on the effective date, refer to the Plan Document, section 3.3: Effective date.
Benefits
- The monthly taxable benefit is equal to 70% of your monthly gross salary
- Benefits are payable by Sun Life after 13 continuous weeks of total disability, or when your paid sick leave is exhausted, whichever is later
- Benefits may be reduced by your other sources of income
- Your monthly benefits can be indexed up to a maximum of 3% annually to reflect the cost of living
- A rehabilitation program is available to support your return to work. For information on the rehabilitation program, refer to the Rehabilitation program section of the plan member booklet.
Restrictions and exclusions to benefits
Restrictions and exclusions to benefits may apply if a disability commences within the first 12 months after you become eligible for coverage. Refer to the Plan Document, section 4.10: Pre-existing conditions for more information.
Visit the Plan Document to learn more about disability insurance benefits.
Cost sharing
The Government of Canada pays 85% of the premium for the plan and you pay the remaining 15%.
Premiums
Effective July 8, 2020, the DI Plan Premium Rate is $2.32 for every $1,000 of a plan member’s insured salary.
Specific provisions may apply in certain circumstances (for example, being on leave without pay). For details, refer to sections 4.5 to 4.8 of the Plan Document.
End of coverage
Your coverage ends once your employment ends or once you reach the age of 64 years and 9 months, whichever is first.
Learn more about changes in coverage or the end of eligibility in the Plan Document, section 4.8: Changes in coverage or cessation of eligibility.
Details
For details on disability insurance coverage under the DI Plan, refer to the: