Federal

Canada Pension Plan–Disability

Complex application

Tax filing required

If you are under 65 years of age, living with a mental or physical disability, unable to work due to having a long-term disability with indefinite duration, and have made contributions to Canada Pension Plan (CPP), you could get monthly payments from the Canada Pension Plan – Disability benefit.

You should apply as soon as you develop a mental or physical condition that:

  • Prevents you from working at any job.
  • Is long-term or is likely to result in death.

The CPP operates in every province, except Quebec which has a similar program called the Quebec Pension Plan.

There are 3 types of benefits:

  • CPP disability pension: a taxable monthly payment for those under age 65 who contributed to the CPP and are not yet getting a retirement pension. The monthly basic amount is $524.64, plus an amount based on how much you contributed to the CPP during your entire working career. For 2023, the maximum monthly payment amount is $1,538.67.
  • CPP post-retirement disability benefit: monthly payment for those aged from 60 to 65 who are already receiving the CPP retirement pension for more than 15 months or become disabled after starting the receive the retirement pension. In 2023, the maximum monthly payment amount is $524.64.
  • Children's benefit: monthly payment for dependent children of CPP contributors with disabilities. In 2023, the maximum monthly payment amount is $281.72.

Note: If you live in Quebec, you should refer to the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) instead and contact Retraite Québec if you have any questions.

Go to the Disability benefits compass for more information on this benefit, including a step-by-step guide through the application process. You will find tips, frequently asked questions, resources, and examples of challenges you may encounter. Other supports such as who to contact for help, what to expect after you apply and what steps to take if your application is approved or denied can also be found here.

You can get the Canada Pension Plan–Disability (CPP-D) benefit if:

  • You are under age 65.
  • You have contributed enough to the Canada Pension Plan while you were employed.
  • You have a severe mental or physical disability that regularly stops you from doing any type of substantially gainful work.
  • You have a disability that is long-term (prolonged) and of indefinite duration (it is not known how long it will last) or your disability is likely to result in death.

CPP post-retirement disability benefit:

If you currently get the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) monthly retirement pension, you may be able to get the CPP-D if:

  • You are aged 60 to 65.
  • You have contributed enough to the CPP.
  • You have a mental or physical disability that regularly stops you from doing any type of substantially gainful work.
  • You have a disability that is long-term (prolonged) and of indefinite duration (it is not known how long it will last) or your disability is likely to result in death.
  • You have been receiving the CPP retirement pension for more than 15 months or become disabled after starting to receive the retirement pension.

If you live in Quebec

If you live in Quebec, you will not apply for the disability benefit under the Canada Pension Plan. You can apply for the Quebec Pension Plan disability benefit if one of the following applies to you:

  • You have worked only in the province of Quebec.
  • You currently live in Quebec and have worked both in the province of Quebec and in another province or territory.
  • You have worked in Quebec, currently live outside Canada and your last province of residence was Quebec.

Note: If you live in Quebec, you should refer to the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) instead and contact Retraite Québec if you have any questions.

Social Insurance Number

For example:

  • confirmation of SIN letter
  • plastic SIN card (non-expired)

Statement of disability

A certificate signed by a medical practitioner, learning disability assessment, document of federal or provincial disability assistance receipt.

Apply for Canada Pension Plan – Disability benefits:

  • Apply as soon as you develop a severe and prolonged or terminal medical condition that prevents you from working regularly at any job and is long-term and of unknown duration, or is likely to result in death
  • Print out the Application Kit for CPP disability benefits which includes:
    • the main application form, and
    • the medical report to be completed by your doctor or nurse practitioner.

Follow these steps to submit your application form:

1. Submit your application form:

There are 2 ways to apply. Decide how you want to submit your application form for more information on that process:

2. Submit your medical form:

You must work with your doctor or nurse practitioner to submit 1 of the following forms that applies to your situation:

3. Receive a response from Service Canada:

It can take up to 120 days (4 months) for a decision to be made from the date Service Canada receives your complete application and all required documents. If more than 120 days (4 months) have passed and you have not heard anything, contact Employment and Social Development Canada

4. Review your application status:

To view your application status, you can:

If you don't have MSCA, you can register for an account.

Last updated: January 18, 2022