For many people, a paycheque is what keeps the household running. Disability insurance is designed to replace part of your income if an illness or injury stops you from working.

Sam Pakbaz works with employees, self-employed people and business owners in Barrhaven, Nepean and Ottawa. He compares options and explains how each policy works, in plain language.

What happens without coverage

If you can't work for a while, rent or mortgage payments, groceries and other bills still come due. Some people have coverage through work. Others have little or none, or find that a group plan would replace only part of their income, or would end if they change jobs. Disability insurance is meant to help replace part of your pay so you can keep up with everyday costs while you recover. Definitions, waiting periods and benefit amounts vary by policy.

Real costs

• In 2022, 27% of people in Canada aged 15 and over — nearly 8 million people — had one or more disabilities. Among working-age adults aged 25 to 64, the rate was 24%, or about one in four. (Statistics Canada, 2022)
• Among people aged 25 to 64, 62% of those with a disability were employed, compared with 78% of those without a disability. (Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Disability, 2022; employment figures from the 2021 Census)
• The maximum Canada Pension Plan disability benefit for new payments starting in January 2026 is $1,741.20 a month. The average for new beneficiaries in July 2026 is $1,236.32 a month. For many households, that would cover only part of a regular paycheque. (Government of Canada)
• In 2024, Canada's life and health insurers paid $10 billion in disability benefits. (CLHIA, 2025 Factbook)

Who it's for

• People whose household relies on their income
• Self-employed people and business owners without a workplace plan
• Employees who want to review what their group plan would pay, and for how long
• Anyone changing jobs or leaving a group plan
• Families who would find it hard to keep up with bills during a longer time off work

How Sam helps

Sam is an independent licensed life and health insurance agent with Barrhaven Financial Services Inc. He compares disability options from several insurers and explains waiting periods, benefit amounts and definitions in plain language. He does not represent every insurer, and not every insurer offers every product. You decide what fits.

Let's look at your options

If you'd like to look at disability coverage, you can ask for a quote or book a time to talk it through. There's no pressure either way.