Step 2 - Canada Pension Plan–Disability benefit

Here is how you can find out more about which sections of the application you need to complete and tips on how to fill them in thoroughly.

Section A

Fill out your information in part A.

Section B

Question B1

If you are divorced, separated or were in a common law relationship that has ended, Service Canada will follow up by mailing you a credit split application. A credit split will benefit the person who made the lowest contributions during the time living together. The higher income earner in the relationship does not want to submit a credit split as that would reduce the amount of CPP that they could collect.

Question B2

A social security agreement is an agreement between Canada and another country. It coordinates the two countries’ pension programs. If you have lived or worked in both Canada and another country, that means you get credit for both. This may help you to be eligible for CPP-Disability.

Question B3

If you are unsure if the Child Rearing Provision applies to you, read the guide in Annex A in your application form.

Section C - Information about your medical condition

Service Canada reviews this section to find out about the nature and extent of your disability. This is critical to the outcome of your application.

The more information you provide, the better. Service Canada will ask you to rank your ability level on most days. Disability advocates recommend that you include days when the limitations that come with your disability are the most severe. If your symptoms or their severity is unpredictable, say so. This helps Service Canada see how your disability affects your day-to-day life and your ability to work.

You have limited space to give your answers, but you can attach more information. Remember to write your Social Insurance Number on each attached page.

Question C1

Enter the date that you felt you could no longer work. This date is important. Canada Pension law only allows you to collect CPP-Disability if you could no longer work before the end of your ‘minimum qualifying period’. This is the period when you made valid CPP contributions in 4 out of the previous 6 years before you applied for CPP-Disability.

If you do not meet the 4 out of 6 tests, you may still be able to qualify for CPP-Disability through the ‘late applicant provision’. This provision permits Service Canada to look back in time to when you last met your minimum qualifying period.

You can also qualify if you have valid contributions in 3 of the last 6 years and have contributed for a period of 25 years. If you tried and failed to return to work, the minimum qualifying period date may be earlier than the date you last worked. Explain that in an attachment. Focus on how your medical condition caused you to fail in your attempt to work.

Question C2

This question asks you to state your main medical condition and any other medical conditions that stop you from working. We recommend that you also describe the symptoms that stop you from working. Keep in mind that you only qualify for CPP-Disability if you cannot do any gainful work. Describe the symptoms that would stop you from doing lighter work, or part-time work.

Question C5

Asks you to list the medications you currently take. Note the dosages and how often you take them. Note any medications that cause side effects that affect your ability to work. Describe the side effects.

You may have tried some medications and had to stop them due to side effects. If so, attach a page and give information about them as well. If you had to stop taking medications because they did not work, include this information.

You can list your medications in a table with headings like this:

Question C6

This question asks you to list your past, current, and future treatments. Make note of any treatments that were not effective or had to be stopped.

You may be waiting for a future treatment, but it is not expected to improve your condition to the point where you could return to work. If so, we recommend that you make a note explaining that. It is common for applications to be denied because of possible treatments in the future.

Question C8

This question asks you to assess your own functional abilities. You will be asked to measure your ability level on a typical day. However, you may have disabilities that are not predictable. If you have bad days that you cannot plan for, we recommend that you make a note of that. You can put it in the space for comments or attach a sheet of paper to your application.