After you apply – approved or denied

Congratulations! You have been approved to receive disability benefits under the Quebec Pension Plan. Once you are approved, you will be informed by mail. Your first payment will start the fourth month from the date Retraite Quebec deems that you have become disabled.

Your payments will be made by direct deposit or cheque. To see the specific dates your payments will be sent, you can see the Quebec Pension Plan Payment Dates.

Other supplemental benefits you may receive

There are additional programs that may be better suited for your needs such as the Social Solidarity Program. If you are a person with a severely limited capacity for employment, this program can provide financial assistance and can promote your integration in your community. Examples of severe employment restrictions include:

• Mental disorders, such as neurosis or psychosis
• Intellectual disability, mental retardation or amnesia
• Chronic illness
• Hearing impairment
• The aftermath of an accident
• The inability to move around
• Inability to understand linguistic symbols due to language disruption

This program is administered by the Ministère du Travail, de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale (MTESS) and has a separate application process. To see the complete application process, you can see the Application for Financial Assistance.

To Keep Your Information Up-to-Date and Avoid Overpayments

To ensure that you are still eligible to receive disability benefits under the QPP, you must be certain to report any changes that could impact your eligibility. This includes:

• If you move (either outside of Quebec or within the province)
• If your health improves
• If you return to work
• If you have children

If you do not report these changes you could receive more financial support than you are eligible to receive. This is called an overpayment. You will be required to pay back the overpayment. If you receive an overpayment, you will be given more instructions on how to repay the amount you owe.

If your application is denied, you may not meet the eligibility requirements to receive disability benefits under the QPP. However, if you disagree with a decision that was made about your application, you may choose to undergo the appeals process. This process involves two steps: requesting a review and filing an appeal.

Requesting a Review

If you disagree with a decision that was made about your application for disability benefits under the QPP, you can request a review. A review must be requested within 90 days of when the decision was made. To file an application for review, you must complete an Application for Review form or write a letter explaining why you disagree with the decisions and include any relevant proof.

Once you have completed the Application for Review or written a letter, they can be submitted online or mailed to the following address:

Retraite Quebec
Case postale 5200
Quebec (Quebec)
G1K 7S9

Filing an Appeal

If you disagree with a review decision, you can file an appeal with the Administrative Tribunal of Quebec. This appeal must be filed within 60 days of the date the decision you disagree with was made.

Your appeal can be filed using the online appeal form, using the PDF appeal form, or by writing a letter. If you choose to write a letter, you must include the following information:

• Your name and contact information
• Your lawyer’s or representative’s name and contact information, if applicable
• Why you are challenging the decision and what you want as a situation
• The decision you are challenging and all relevant documents (example: medical reports)
• A fee of $87 by cheque, money-order, or the banking information for a credit card.

Once your appeal is complete, you can submit it online or to one of the offices of the Tribunal or the offices of the Court of Quebec, Small Claims Division.

During the appeal hearing, you and a representative from the department will have the opportunity to present evidence. The Tribunal will have up to 3 months to make a final decision, which will be sent to you in writing by mail.

Choosing the best option if you are denied

Here are some common reasons that people are denied with advice on the next step to take: