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Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I let you know I wish to have my application considered for Disability Pension?
To apply for a disability pension, you must first contact the Nova Scotia Pension Agency (NSPA). It is best to make contact with the NSPA before the expiry of your sick leave benefits. The Teachers’ Pension Plan Regulations also require that any application for a disability pension must be received within 2 years of a member’s last pension contribution to the Plan.
Please note that if you are eligible for an unreduced pension at the time of application, then you will be required to pursue that option and will not be considered for a disability pension.
2. What do I need to do to apply for TPP Disability Pension?
Once you have contacted the Nova Scotia Pension Agency, one of their client service consultants will confirm your eligibility to apply for a disability pension, and will initiate a referral to Morneau Shepell. A Morneau Shepell case manager will then contact you to begin the process, and will send you all of the necessary forms for you to complete. The Disability Pension Application forms will include:
- a consent form that you must complete and fax to 1-877-562-9126 (Morneau Shepell’s confidential fax line).
- an “Attending Physician Statement”, commonly referred to as an APS, for your doctor to complete. The completed form must be returned prior to the end of your sick leave, or within 30 days of the date of your application for disability pension.
The completed form(s) provide your case manager with all of the information they need to determine if the pension application is approved and/or the best way to approach your health condition.
3. Will I still be paid?
If your application for disability pension is approved by Morneau Shepell, you will begin to receive disability pension payments upon the expiry of any sick leave benefits. Your disability pension benefit will be effective the first of the month following the month in which you received your last salary cheque from your employer/school board.
4. Who pays the benefits?
The actual payment of a disability pension is made by Nova Scotia Pension Agency from the Teachers’ Pension Fund; adhering to the regulations of the Teachers’ Pension Act. Payment is not administered by Morneau Shepell.
5. How does Morneau Shepell assess my claim for disability pension?
Your case manager will call you within 1 business day of receiving notification from the NSPA that you have applied for a disability pension. During this call the case manager will inform you of the next steps in the process, and answer any questions that you may have. The case manager will also send you a package of forms to be completed, including a Member Statement that you will need to complete, and an Attending Physician Statement for your doctor to complete. The case manager will review the information provided to determine if you qualify for a disability pension. If additional information is required, the case manager will work with you and your doctor to obtain any further information. On occasion, the case manager may make a referral to an independent medical specialist for further review.
Disability pensions are classified as either “total” or “partial” and the conditions under which one may qualify are established in the regulations. The Morneau Shepell medical consultant reviews and signs off on all disability pension applications and their determination is communicated to you and the Nova Scotia Pension Agency.
6. What if I have a medical condition, but I am still able to work?
In order to be approved for a disability pension you must have a medical condition that prevents you from working, either in your own occupation or in any occupation. The disability pension process therefore looks at both the presence and severity of the medical condition, as well as the extent to which it permanently disables you from working. The presence of a medical condition alone does not qualify for disability pension.
7. Once I have been approved for a disability pension, what happens next?
Disability pensions are reviewed annually by the Nova Scotia Pension Agency and Morneau Shepell, approximately on the anniversary of the original decision to pay a disability pension benefit. The objective is to determine whether there has been any change in the underlying medical condition and whether any change in disability status is warranted. For example, if you had been awarded a partial disability pension and your medical condition deteriorated, the award might be changed to total disability. Annual reviews will be forwarded by the NSPA to Morneau Shepell and a case manager will then contact you and may send you additional medical forms to have completed if your condition has changed.
8. Who will have access to my medical information?
Medical information is always considered highly confidential and is not shared by Morneau Shepell with the Nova Scotia Pension Agency or any other stakeholders of the Teachers’ Pension Plan.
9. What does a Morneau Shepell case manager do?
The case manager is an experienced health professional with qualifications in areas such as nursing, occupational health, occupational therapy; as well as specialized training in the field of disability management. The case manager is your central point of contact for information related to your application or review of your in-pay disability pension.
It is the role of the case manager to review the medical information, functional limitations, and job-related information to identify whether the medical condition renders you permanently disabled from work.
10. Who pays for the completion of my medical forms?
If there is a fee for completing the medical reports, it will be paid, within certain limits, by the Nova Scotia Teachers’ Pension Plan.
11. What does a non-support decision mean?
A non-support decision is made when the medical information provided does not support a total or partial disability pension as defined by the Teachers’ Pension Act and Regulations. Even in instances where some form of medical condition may in fact be present, the medical information received may not indicate that the condition permanently disables the member from working.
12. What happens if my application for disability pension is declined?
If your application for disability pension is declined or not supported, whether for a total or partial disability pension, you may elect to appeal. In order to appeal, you will need to provide new medical information to Morneau Shepell that demonstrates the extent of your disability. Your case manager will help you through this appeal process by identifying any information that may have been missing or unclear from your initial application. Once new medical information is received, your application for disability pension will be reassessed.
If you remain dissatisfied with Morneau Shepell’s decision after appeal, you may then consider an appeal to the Teachers’ Pension Plan Appeals Board. If this is something that you wish to consider, you should contact a representative of the Nova Scotia Teachers’ Union (the NSTU).
13. I have been approved for Long Term Disability insurance or for the Canada Pension Plan disability pension; do I need to apply for disability pension?
Your application for a disability pension through the Teachers’ Pension Plan is voluntary; however, your Long Term Disability insurer may request that you also apply for a disability pension to offset the insurance benefit payable to you. Approval for Long Term Disability benefits does not guarantee approval for a disability pension through the Teachers’ Pension Plan as these two programs have unique provisions and requirements which may result in different outcomes.
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