Information for Employers

Health benefits and income support

For people with episodic disabilities, health and disability benefits are critically important:

• Health benefits, including coverage for prescription drugs and rehabilitation services, help individuals to stay well and active.
• Employment Insurance (EI) Sickness benefits and long term disability benefits are vital sources of income during periods of illness and disability.

Unfortunately, the definitions and policies that govern these benefits programs are often rigid and act as disincentives to people returning to work. For example, it is often difficult for people who are receiving benefits to work part-time or as their health allows. The episodic disabilities section of this website discusses these issues in depth.

CWGHR is actively partnering with employers to address the issues that prevent people with episodic disabilities from participating more fully in the labour force. In particular, CWGHR is leading a pilot project to:

• test new models for flexible employment and income support that allow people with episodic disabilities to re-enter the workplace without risking their income security
• evaluate the impact on people with episodic disabilities, their workplace and the broader economic impact, and
• make policy recommendations.

If you are interested in more information or participating as a pilot site please contact the project manager.