Short-term disability (STD) insurance: This type of coverage typically lasts for up to six months. Sometimes, employers will have an STD plan for employees that provides some support. Chat with your employer’s human resources (HR) department if you’re curious about whether or not you have a plan and what it covers.

Long-term disability (LTD) insurance: Long-term disability insurance tends to kick in after STD insurance ends. Typically, these benefits last for up to two years or up to a maximum dollar amount. Your employer may have a plan for its employees. Your employer’s HR department will know the details.

Employment Insurance (EI): The government’s EI plan includes benefits if you can’t work for medical reasons. It’s capped at 55 per cent of your earnings to a maximum of $650 per week for up to 26 weeks.

Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability benefits: If you pay into the Canada Pension Plan and are under 65 years of age, you may be able to claim benefits if you have a disability that regularly prevents you from working.

Individual disability insurance: You can purchase your own coverage to help fill in the gaps left by other insurance plans or to protect yourself if you’re self-employed. This is also sometimes referred to as “illness and injury insurance.