Hi
D.C
Some of us face resorting to disability insurance when dealing with a cancer diagnosis, prognosis and multiple treatments both today and down the road. So, its good that you are getting ahead of it as you said.
Every company has different levels of disability insurance and coverage. In my case, I exhausted my sick leave (this was considered the equivalent of Short Term Disability in my situation) and transitioned onto LTD, eventually ending in my retirement. If you have a Human Resources Department, I'd get in touch with them to get some written information about the process, who to contact, how long your benefits are paid, and what if any transition you will have down the road - and when. If the insurer is a third party, I'd get in touch with them and ask the same questions once they get back to you on your application.
You mention applying for Canadian Disability. Not sure what you are referring to, so see below:
I'm giving you links to two types of Federal Government disability insurance benefits you may qualify for. As with your short term disability, your doctor(s) have portions they need to complete for you in the forms
Disability Tax Credit Certificate and the
Step-by-step instructions for filling out Form T2201is the first one
Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit - Eligibility and
Application for CPP Disability Benefits . is the second set. Not sure about how these fit in with short term disability, but with me, the insurer advised me to apply for the CPP Disability Benefits. I did so, was approved, and that amount was deducted from the insurer benefits paid to me for Long Term Disability (LTD).
These forms and applications are for the most part filled out by your doctor(s) and are submitted for assessment and action. If you need assistance there are 800 numbers mentioned in the links, and I'd also suggest the assistance of the social workers in the hospital you are being treated at. They are for the most part used to assisting with these issues.
Hope this helps to get you all the benefits you are entitled to.
ACH2015