Metastatic breast ca & disability, pensions etc

Hi Moth,

I suspect you have seen my numerous posts on related issues. I find this so darn difficult to navigate. In my case I have access to LTD but struggle to understand what will happen if I step away from work completely (I’m working slightly reduced hours now which has created its own frustrations in that I’m defined as rehab/return to work when the opposite is true). Will the oncologist support this? What does it look like when it goes from “your own occupation” to any type of work?

But with regards to CPP disability, I think you would likely be covered although it’s another gauntlet to get there. My insurer required me to apply (any money I get from CPP will go to them until I turn 65). The form was horrendous - pages and pages. They wanted a run down of every test, every appointment but I persevered. Fortunately they could get the physician reports from the insurer. One funny thing (which may be a positive sign) is they fast tracked my application. It normally takes months but they saw MBC and figured I had one foot on a banana peel even though you are supposed to have less than six months to be put to the top of the pile. I received a call from someone within days of sending in the paperwork. Of course, the irony was that she asked if I was working and then how much at which point she said I wasn’t eligible (which I had questioned the insurer about). Apparently you can only earn $5000 per year to be eligible.

The way it works though is you get what you would get if you were retirement age plus a bit extra. When you turn 65 (unlikely in my case) you revert to retirement benefits which will be less than CPP disability but you come out ahead as you will get more than you would have if you retired early.

All to say (sorry - rambling) you should just apply if you are not able to work. The only cost is time and getting your doctor to fill out the medical forms. You need to be as specific as possible about your limitations and if the turn you down, appeal. I’ve been told that they routinely turn people down on the first go although I got the sense that had I not been working I would well have been approved. We’ll see as I will need to tackle those forms again if I reach the point of stepping away from work completely.

PM me if you have any questions.

Totally get it Moth. I’m in exactly the same position. I’m not lying in bed all day but… I am finding it hard to keep up with everything while I juggle work and home life. In a recent update I had to send to my insurer I was asked if I need help with household chores. Um… I don’t have help and, while I can do things, it takes me wayyyy longer than it used to and so I feel like I am falling further and further behind. And then, there is the question of how much you can engage in self-care if you are working all the time.

It’s hard for those of used to just soldiering on to wrap our heads around the concept of not being able to work. But then I reflect on the reasons my colleagues take sick days. Multiply that by all the side effects of treatment and the stuff that comes with the disease and it seems we should be cut some slack.

Don’t get bogged down in the list of grave conditions. I suspect the reason we don’t see BC there is that it is typically something treated and then in remission. Not as immediately life threatening as many cancers that have a poor prognosis from the get go. And also new treatments have made even MBC something that we can live fairly normally with for many years (think bone only, estrogen positive - I worked full time at a very demanding job for four years before my knees started to buckle). As I mentioned, I was surprised that not one but two CPP reps put me on the fast track when I filed my paperwork. I think the liver mets got their attention. 😏

If you find a social worker let me know. I’m at a bit of a crossroad and may be stepping back completely given my current status. I really want to talk to someone who can help me navigate this but haven’t been successful finding that support to date.

Good luck and don’t hesitate to reach out if you want to chat. I don’t know much but might have a few tidbits I can share.

Hi ilowen,

Just curious, did your PCP do the paperwork? This is always a question in my mind as normally they want the attending physician which I would assume is your oncologist. I'm never entirely sure who I need to get on board when it comes to adjusting hours as the MOs know what's going on in terms of prognosis/treatment but my PCP knows me... It's a top of mind question for me at the moment as I am at the point that I think it's time to step away from work completely but not sure how to make that happen...

Moth I would ask the one who will give the most detail and really 'sell it' to CPP.

Edited to add that I don't mean to bullshit (sell it) but the one who knows you best. You are an ambitious hard working person and if you think you need to be on CPP disability then you absolutely should be so the care provider who knows you best should do the forms.

Or not. I don't know what I'm talking about most of the time but hopefully it makes sense.

Moth,

My understanding of CPP matches what Sadiesservant has already stated. I'm not familiar with the ins and outs of locked in RRSPs.

I appreciate the questions Moth as I'm deciding on next steps. Good to remember what my options are!

Let us know how it goes.