Due to Covid-19, there are many employees that have been laid-off. You might be worried about your benefits, how will being laid-off effect this? Is extending your benefits package through the layoff period possible? If so how?
There are 2 options for extending benefits during the layoff period, as an employer, you can choose from.
Option 1:
All coverages can continue for up to 90 days, provided the plan member is not travelling out of Canada. The premiums must be paid each month. If you need coverage beyond this time period, you can apply for an extension, it would have to go to medical underwriting. You will need to fill out a form requesting coverage extension. The form is located on our forms page.
Click here to download the PDF “Request for Coverage Extension”.
Option 2:
The employer can remove the staff and if they are rehired, they can be added back on the plan immediately. However, Co-operators has a rule that the employee needs to be added back on within 30 days if they are hired back within less than 6 months. If not, then you will have to fill in health evidence. If it is longer than 6 months, you need to send in a new enrollment form. We can still ask the waiting period to be waved.
