When you’re on long term disability (LTD) in Canada, you can feel like your life is on hold. You’re focused on recovery, managing your symptoms, and trying to make sure that you follow all of the insurer’s requirements so that you can continue to receive your disability benefits. What if you want to travel—whether to visit family, take a vacation, or even go abroad for medical treatment? Is it allowed? What are the rules? This blog explores these issues in order to provide you with knowledge to make informed decisions.

Understanding Long Term Disability in Canada

Long term disability benefits provide income replacement when you’re unable to work due to a serious illness or injury. These benefits typically come from:

• Employer-sponsored group insurance plans
• Private disability insurance policies
• Government programs like Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Disability

Each source has its own rules, but the common requirement is that you must remain medically unable to perform your job duties and comply with your policy terms.

For more details on CPP Disability, visit the official Government of Canada CPP Disability page.

Can You Travel While on LTD?

The short answer: Yes, you can travel while on long term disability in Canada—but with conditions.

Travel itself doesn’t automatically disqualify you from receiving benefits. However, insurers and government programs expect you to:

• Continue to satisfy the definition of disability (you’re still unable to work).
• Follow the treatment plan prescribed by your doctor.
• Remain available for medical assessments or communication if requested.

If your travel interferes with these obligations, your benefits could be at risk.

Key Considerations Before You Travel

1. Check Your Policy Terms

Every long term disability policy is different. Some explicitly require you to notify the insurer before leaving your province or country. Some policies require you to obtain approval prior to travel so you should communicate with your insurer to avoid potential issues. Most policies will implicitly restrict travel if it affects your ability to attend medical appointments or rehabilitation programs.

Tip: Read your policy carefully and contact your claims representative for clarification. For general information about disability benefits in Canada, you can consult the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association’s guide to disability insurance.

2. Notify Your Insurer

Transparency is crucial. Inform your insurer about your travel plans—where you’re going, for how long, and why. Failure to disclose an innocent vacation can be viewed with suspicion by your insurer who may see this as a breach of your obligations.

3. Medical Care Access

If you’re traveling abroad, consider how you’ll access medical care if needed. Insurers may require you to continue treatment or provide updates from your doctor.

4. Scheduled Assessments

Insurers often schedule independent medical exams (IMEs) or functional assessments. If you’re unavailable because you’re traveling, it could delay approval of your claim or cause your insurer to suspend your benefits. It is a reasonable request to be upfront with the insurance company about a trip or vacation you plan to take and to ask for the IME to be scheduled around your planned travel.

5. Duration of Travel

A short trip is usually less problematic than an extended stay. Long absences might suggest you’re well enough to work, which could trigger a review of your claim. However, if you have been receiving disability payments for many years, there may be no problem with you taking an extended trip. The key thing is to double check whether there is any restriction against travelling in your policy. You may need to provide a letter or obtain medical clearance from your doctor showing that travel is not going to compromise your medical treatment.

Domestic vs. International Travel

• Domestic Travel: Generally easier to manage. You’re still within the Canadian healthcare system, and communication with your claims adjudicator is straightforward.
• International Travel: More complex. You may need additional documentation, and insurers might question whether your condition allows for overseas travel.

Common Misconceptions

• “Travel means I’m healthy enough to work.”
  Not necessarily. You can be unable to work yet still able to travel, especially if the trip is low-stress and accommodates your medical needs.
• “I don’t need to tell my insurer.”
  Wrong. Lack of disclosure can lead to benefit termination. Insurers often periodically monitor disability claimants’ social media accounts and unexplained travel can raise red flags.

Practical Tips for Traveling on LTD

• Get Written Approval: If possible, obtain written confirmation from your insurer that your travel plans are acceptable. If your claims analyst tells you that travel is no problem during a telephone interview, confirm that discussion in writing by email.
• Keep Medical Records Handy: Bring documentation of your medications and essential medical records in case you need to see a doctor outside of the country.
• Stay Connected: Ensure you can respond to emails or calls from your insurer.
• Plan for Emergencies: Have travel insurance that covers pre-existing conditions.
• Limit Social Media Postings: Insurers will monitor your online presence throughout your claim. If they see you participating in certain activities while on vacation which suggest that your limitations are less disabling than your prior statements and medical reports would otherwise support, you may face a review of your claim.

How to Obtain a Copy of Your Long Term Disability Policy

Before planning any travel, it’s essential to review your LTD policy in detail. Many people don’t have a copy readily available—especially if coverage is through an employer. Here’s how to obtain one and why it matters:

1. Contact Your Employer or HR Department

If your LTD coverage is part of a group benefits plan, your employer or HR team should provide you with the full policy wording, not just a summary.

2. Request the Policy from Your Insurance Company

If you have an individual policy, contact your insurer directly. Under the Ontario Insurance Act, you are legally entitled to receive it:

• Section 293(1) requires insurers issuing individual contracts to provide the policy and insured’s application.
• Section 293(5) mandates that, upon request, insurers must furnish your group insurance policy and any evidence of insurability, and allow you to examine or receive a copy of the policy.

These provisions are found at Ontario Insurance Act – Section 293.

3. Check Online Portals

Many insurers and employers offer digital access to benefits documents through secure portals. It is important to ensure that you are referring to the policy which governs your LTD claim. If the policy was issued after last day of work, you are not reviewing the applicable policy. It is best to get the policy directly from the insurer.

4. Why It Matters

The policy contains critical details about travel restrictions, notification requirements, and ongoing obligations. Relying on verbal information or summaries can mean that you have misinformation and your benefits could be at risk.

What Happens If You Don’t Follow the Rules?

If your insurer discovers you traveled without notifying them—or if your trip suggests you’re not as disabled as claimed—they may:

• Suspend or terminate your benefits.
• Request repayment of benefits.
• Investigate your claim for fraud.

Bottom Line

Generally, you can travel while on long term disability in Canada, but you need to be careful – review your policy, advise your insurer and stay in communication throughout your trip. You also need to ensure your travel plans don’t interfere with your treatment or obligations.

Speak to a Long Term Disability Lawyer

If your insurer suspends your benefits, schedule a free consultation with one of the experienced disability lawyers at Burn Tucker Lachaîne P.C. to discuss your case.

For advice please text 613-777-0992 or contact us through our website to schedule a meeting with one of our lawyers.  We provide a free consultation, in French or English, to ensure that your rights are protected.