Going back to University while on Disability

Disability Insurance
1

Hi,

I have been on disability for the last one and a half years because of major depressive disorder with a private insurer. My mental health situation hasn’t changed much, but my suicidal ideation has mostly been reduced.

I am planning to go back to University in September 2024. Does this automatically mean that my insurance will stop paying me my disability benefits? I am still on disability leave from my employer. Do I have to resign from my position before starting University?

I am curious to know about this transition stage that I will be entering from next month. I want to handle it properly. Do I let my disability insurance caseworker know that I will be entering University from next month?

2

There is some nuance to this, but in general unless you are being retrained with the support of your insurance company the following will probably happen in your case:

  1. If you can go to university full time your insurer will conclude that you are capable of holding a full-time job so the insurance company will end your LTD payments when they find out. So be financially prepared to have your LTD payments end as soon as you mention it to your case manager.

  2. Once your insurer tells your employer you are no longer eligible for LTD your employer will ask you to return to work…if you refuse to return you’ll likely be let go.