CPP disability

What is CPP disability?

CPP disability is part of the Canada Pension Plan. It is designed to provide financial assistance to CPP contributors who are not able to work regularly because of a severe and prolonged disability.

Service Canada pays CPP disability benefits monthly to eligible applicants and their dependent children.

How do I qualify for CPP disability benefits?

To qualify, you must:

• be under age 65;
• have earned a specified minimum amount and contributed to the CPP while working for a minimum number of years; and
• have a severe and prolonged disability as defined by the CPP legislation.

To remain eligible, you must continue to have a disability according to the CPP legislation.

According to the CPP, what is a disability?

For the CPP, a disability is a medical condition that is severe and prolonged.

Severe means that you have a mental or physical disability that regularly stops you from doing any type of substantially gainful work. Prolonged means your disability is likely to be long-term and last indefinitely or is likely to result in death.

Do I need a minimum level of earnings to qualify for CPP disability benefits, and how long do I have to contribute?

You must have a minimum level of earnings to make contributions to the CPP. For 2012, the minimum level of earnings to qualify for disability benefits is $ 5,000. This figure is usually adjusted each year.

You must also have contributed to the CPP in four of the last six years at or above the minimum level of earnings, or three of the last six years if you have contributed at or above the minimum level of earnings for at least 25 years.

What if I have not contributed for enough years?

Usually, this would mean that you would not qualify for CPP disability benefits.

However, you may still qualify if:

• you delayed applying (that is, you had enough years of contributions when you first became disabled and you have been continuously disabled since then, but you do not have enough contributions now);
• your CPP contributions stopped or were reduced because you were raising your children who were under the age of seven ;
• you have obtained enough CPP credits from a former spouse or common-law partner through credit splitting to make you eligible;
• you worked in another country with which Canada has a social security agreement (your contributions to that country’s pension plan, when added to your CPP contributions, may be enough for you to meet the minimum requirement); or
• you were not able to apply because of your medical condition.

If you need more information, please contact us.