CPP disability benefits are monthly payments made to Canadians under 65 living with a long-term disability that prevents them from working.
There are two types of CPP disability – a pre-retirement benefit and a post-retirement benefit. The pre-retirement benefit is for those not yet receiving their pension. The post-retirement benefit is intended for those between 60 - 65 years old, who are already receiving a CPP pension. Once you turn 65, the CPP disability benefit will automatically change to a regular CPP retirement benefit.
To qualify for CPP disability benefits, you must have made enough contributions to the plan during the course of your working life.
This article will explain eligibility criteria, how to apply, and how much you might receive in CPP disability payments.
Key Takeaways
- Canadians under 65 that can no longer work due to a disability may be eligible for CPP disability benefits.
- How much you've paid into CPP over your life will largely determine your payment amount.
- Monthly payments are made on the same date as Canada Pension Plan payments.
- To apply, you’ll need to submit an application form and medical form provided by your doctor.
What are CPP disability benefits?
CPP disability benefits are taxable monthly payments for Canadians who previously contributed to CPP, but now cannot work due to prolonged injury or illness.
CPP disability benefits are intended for people who have left the workforce before age 65 due to their disability or injury. Upon reaching age 65, a person’s CPP disability benefits will cease, and they will receive their pension instead.
To qualify for the CPP disability benefit, you need to:
- Be under 65 years old
- Not be receiving CPP benefits yet
- Have contributed to CPP in the past
- Have a long-term disability that prevents you from working
If you’re between 60 - 65 years old, already receiving CPP payments for more than 15 months or you became disabled after you started getting your pension, you can apply for the post-retirement CPP disability benefit.
Can you work while on CPP disability?
You can still work while receiving CPP disability, but how much you earn (before tax) will ultimately determine whether or not you can continue receiving the benefit.
If you are receiving CPP disability benefits, you must contact Service Canada when you start working.
Here is what you need to know if you are working while on CPP disability, and how those earnings can affect your continued eligibility for the benefit:
- If you earn less than $6,800, this shouldn’t affect you receiving CPP disability benefits.
- If you earn between $6,800 and $19,339.74, this may impact your ability to receive the CPP disability benefit as it may demonstrate you can gainfully work.
- If you earn more than $19,339.74, this means you can gainfully work and will no longer receive the CPP disability benefit.
How much are CPP disability payments?
CPP disability payments are calculated by taking a base amount of $583.32 and adding a personal sum based on your CPP contributions.
Here's a look at the average and maximum payment amounts for 2024:
| Type of benefit | Min monthly payment | Max monthly payment | Average monthly payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-retirement CPP disability benefit | $598.49 | $1,673.24 | $1,538.66 |
| Post-retirement CPP disability benefit | $583.32 | $598.49 | $583.32 |
The above amounts are reviewed every January in order to reflect the changes in the cost of living, but they'll only ever go up (even if cost of living goes down). The maximum amount will increase slightly every month due to a recent CPP enhancement program.
Is CPP disability going up in 2025?
Yes, as part of 2019 CPP enhancement, the CPP disability benefit will increase in 2025, but as of December 2024, the Federal Government has not made an official announcement as to how much the disability benefit will increase.
The CPP enhancement boosts how much workers contribute to the CPP. In turn, this increases the amount Canadians will receive for their pension and other CPP benefits, including the disability benefit.
What conditions qualify for CPP disability?
To qualify for the CPP disability benefit, your impairment must be mental/psychological and/or physical, and must be severe enough that it prevents you from working gainfully.
Having an impairment won’t automatically qualify you for CPP disability benefits.
Your eligibility will be determined by how your impairment affects your day-to-day life and your ability to work.
How hard is it to get CPP disability?
According to a 2016 Auditor General report, 60% of 70,000 CPP disability benefit applications were denied.
Your application must satisfy Service Canada’s definitions of both "severe" and “prolonged” impairment in order to qualify, along with the following conditions:
- Severe means you are regularly incapable of pursuing and performing gainful employment in order to pay living expenses.
- Prolonged means your impairment(s) requires an indeterminate amount of recovery time.
- The applicant should be a CPP contributor in 4 of the last 6 years before submitting a CPP disability benefit application.
- You must provide proper and extensive medical evidence that you cannot work – if not, your claim will be denied.
- If Service Canada doesn’t think you’ve made enough contributions to CPP, they may deny your application.
- Extenuating circumstances may include working abroad, raising kids, having suffered severe, debilitating impairment that stopped you from being able to apply for benefits the last time you contributed to CPP.
CPP disability payment dates
CPP disability is paid out monthly on the same day as the Canada Pension Plan payments. Here is the list of payment dates for 2025:
January 29, 2025February 26, 2025March 27, 2025April 28, 2025May 28, 2025June 26, 2025July 29, 2025August 27, 2025September 25, 2025- October 29, 2025
- November 26, 2025
- December 22, 2025
If you’ve set up direct deposit for your CPP disability payments, you’ll receive the money on these dates. Otherwise, cheques can take a few days to come in the mail.
How to apply for CPP disability benefits
If you have a My Service Canada Account, you can apply online. You can also register for an account if you don’t already have one. Applying online is the most convenient way and approval can take up to 120 days.
Whether applying for CPP disability benefits with either a non-terminal illness or terminal illness, fill out the appropriate form online, or print it out and drop it off at a Service Canada location:
- For a non-terminal illness: ISP-1151 Application form
- For a terminal illness: Terminal Illness Application form (terminal illness only) ISP-2530A
Response times can take up to 120 days.
CPP disability medical form
As part of the application process, you'll need to work with your doctor or other medical practitioner to complete either of the following:
- For a non-terminal illness: Medical Report
- For a terminal illness: Terminal Illness Medical Attestation form.
Once completed, you can submit it through your MSCA, mail, or in-person at a Service Canada location.
Submit your application as soon as possible, even if you don’t have your medical form ready.
Where can I get CPP disability forms?
Get your CPP disability forms online. You have the following options when submitting completed forms:
- Online: upload through your My Service Canada Account
- Mail: print out and complete the form before mailing it here
- In-person drop off: print out and complete the form before dropping it off at any Service Canada location
How much tax will I pay on CPP disability?
The tax you pay on your CPP disability benefit will depend on how much you receive.
CPP disability benefits are taxable income, but taxes are not automatically deducted each month.
As per the Government of Canada, you can ask for federal income taxes to be deducted from your monthly payments in two ways:
- By signing into your My Service Canada Account
- By completing the Request for Voluntary Federal Income Tax Deductions CPP/OAS ISP 3520CPP form – mail it to Service Canada or drop it off at any Service Canada location
If you don’t ask for monthly federal tax deductions, you may have to pay income taxes each quarter.
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An inheritance doesn’t directly affect you receiving CPP disability benefits, but the value of the benefit you receive may depend upon the value of the inheritance.
If you receive an inheritance while on disability, report this to Service Canada, as it may change the amount of benefit you receive, or it may deem you ineligible. If you don’t disclose the inheritance, you could face penalties or the loss of your benefits.
Does CPP disability affect a CPP pension?
The fact that you receive a CPP disability pension won’t disqualify you for a CPP pension – it may make your CPP Pension higher once you turn 65.
Once you turn 65, you’ll still get your pension based on how much you paid into the fund, which will include the time you received the CPP disability benefit.
Can you receive AISH and CPP disability?
Yes, you can receive both Alberta’s Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) and CPP disability at the same time.
In fact, when you are applying for AISH, you are required to apply for all other benefit programs you might be eligible for, such as EI, CPP DB, and others.
What other benefits can I qualify for while on CPP disability?
While on CPP disability, there are a host of other benefits you should apply for:
- Old Age Security: You can apply to OAS only when your CPP disability benefit converts to your CPP Pension at age 65.
- Guaranteed Income Supplement: Apply for the GIS after your CPP disability benefits convert to regular CPP pension when you turn 65.
- Disability Tax Credit: The DTC is a non-refundable tax credit that lowers the amount of income tax you must pay. A doctor or nurse must certify you have a prolonged and severe impairment to get the Disability Tax Credit.
- EI Sickness Benefit: The EI Sickness Benefit offers temporary support for those who can’t work – apply for this as you wait for your CPP disability benefit decision .
FAQ
What are the CPP disability drug benefits?
The CPP disability benefit does not include coverage for prescription drugs or medical devices. These may be covered by your province, like Ontario's ODSP, Alberta’s AISH, or B.C.'s PWD.
How hard is it to get CPP disability?
If you meet the eligibility requirements (age, contribution status, and disability status) and fill in the forms completely and correctly, your application may be approved. If your application is denied, you can appeal the decision.
How much tax will I pay on CPP disability?
You have to report your CPP disability payments as income on your tax return or apply to have a specific amount or percentage of tax taken off your payments directly. The tax you pay on your CPP disability will be based on your total income and tax bracket.
Can I leave the country on CPP disability?
You can leave Canada while on CPP disability. Confirm this with Service Canada and your doctor. If you are out of the country for a long time, give Service Canada your updated address.
How much is CPP disability?
Your CPP disability will depend on how much you have contributed to CPP over your working life. The average CPP payout for 2024 is $583.32, while the maximum amount for 2024 you can receive is $1,606.78.
How many hours can you work while on CPP disability?
The amount of money earned while on CPP disability is what counts. If you earn less than $6,800, your benefits won’t be affected. If you earn more than that, you may be deemed fit to work and lose your CPP disability benefit, or receive a lesser payment.
What medical conditions qualify for CPP disability?
The list of medical conditions that may qualify you for CPP disability benefits is extensive – a thorough list of potentially eligible psychological and physical impairments can be found here.
Can I get ODSP and CPP disability?
Yes you can get both at the same time, but it doesn’t mean you’ll get more money each month. CPP disability benefits may boost your pension once you turn 65. ODSP, on the other hand, can help with financial aid and prescriptions (which CPP won’t).
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