Sick Note vs. Disability Claim in Ontario: When to Escalate
If your illness extends beyond a few weeks, you may need to transition from sick notes to a disability claim. Here's how to know when.
## Sick Note vs. Disability Claim in Ontario: When to Escalate
A sick note covers short-term absences. But what happens when your illness extends beyond a few days or weeks? Here's when to transition to a disability claim.
### The Timeline
| Duration | Documentation | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 days | Self-declaration (ESA) | Unpaid sick days |
| 3-14 days | Sick note | Employer-paid days (if applicable) |
| 2-26 weeks | Medical certificate | EI Sickness Benefits |
| 26+ weeks | Disability application | Long-term disability (if insured) |
### Short-Term Disability (STD)
If your employer provides STD insurance:
- Typically covers 60-70% of salary
- Usually kicks in after a waiting period (1-2 weeks)
- Requires ongoing medical documentation
- Duration: typically up to 17-26 weeks
### Long-Term Disability (LTD)
If your condition persists:
- Usually starts after STD ends (17-26 weeks)
- Covers 60-70% of salary
- Requires extensive medical documentation
- Can last until age 65 in some plans
### EI Sickness Benefits
Available to all eligible workers:
- Up to 26 weeks of benefits
- 55% of average insurable earnings
- Requires a medical certificate
- No employer insurance needed
### How MedLetter Helps
MedLetter provides initial sick notes and can support your transition to longer-term documentation. For formal disability applications, you'll typically need your treating physician's detailed reports.
**Get started with documentation — [Start here](/get-started/sick_note)**