People who are qualified and have been contributing to the CPP and can’t work because of a severe and long-lasting disability can get a monthly benefit.
When a person turns 65, they stop getting CPP disability payouts and start getting a regular CPP retirement pension.
Find out about the requirements to get a CPP disability pension, how to apply, when payments will be made, and the pros and cons of getting a CPP disability pension vs. an early CPP retirement pension.
What is the CPP Disability Benefit?
The Canada Pension Plan’s disability benefit helps eligible people who can’t work and their children who rely on them by giving them money.
- CPP disability pension (more on this later in this post)
- CPP post-retirement disability benefit
- CPP disability children’s benefit
CPP Disability Children’s Benefit
For disabled people who have been getting an early retirement income for more than 15 months, the CPP post-retirement disability benefit is an extra payment.
If you start getting CPP before age 65, you have an early retirement income. Here are five reasons to start getting CPP early, at age 60.
If someone is getting the CPP disability benefit and has children who depend on them, the children’s benefit pays them every month. The child has to be younger than 18 or longer than 25 if they go to school or college full-time.
Who Qualifies for CPP Disability Benefits?
It makes sense that the standards for getting CPP disability benefits are very strict. To be eligible for CPP, you must meet the following requirements:
Must be at least 18 years old and no more than 65 years old.
The impairment you have must be “severe” and “prolonged.” For the most part, this means you must have a long-term mental or physical disability that keeps you from working regularly.
As ESDC puts it:
Being severely disabled 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 long-term and will last forever or is likely to kill you.”
You must have paid into the CPP for at least 25 years or for 4 of the last 6 years if you have been paying into the plan for less than 25 years.
People who have helped raise children worked in a country that shares social security rules with Canada, or are divorced may be able to change the years and amounts they put into the CPP to apply.
What is the CPP Disability Benefit Amount?
In 2024, the most a disabled person can get from the CPP each month is $1,606.78. As of January 2024, the average amount given out was $1,176.98.
The CPP disability benefit is made up of a flat rate and 75% of your normal CPP retirement pension.
To figure out the highest CPP disability pay for 2023, for example, we add:
- The flat-rate portion of $583.32 for 2024, plus
- 75% of the maximum CPP retirement pension of $1,364.60 (i.e. 0.75 x $1,364.60 = $1,023.45)
- $583.32 + $1,023.45 = $1,606.78
In 2024, the handicap benefit for people who are retired is $583.32 a month, and the benefit for children is $294.12 a month.
Call Service Canada or log in to your My Service Canada account to get an estimate of your benefit.
CPP Disability Payment Dates for 2024
The following dates show when disability, retirement, children’s, and survivor’s payments from the CPP will be paid in 2024:
- January 29, 2024
- February 27, 2024
- March 26, 2024
- April 26, 2024
- May 29, 2024
- June 26, 2024
- July 29, 2024
- August 28, 2024
- September 25, 2024
- October 29, 2024
- November 27, 2024
- December 20, 2024
How To Apply for CPP Disability Benefits
It can take up to 4 months to process an application for CPP disability benefits, so you should do it as soon as you can.
Fill out the Application for CPP Disability Benefits (ISP-1151 form) and the Medical Report for a CPP Disability Benefit (ISP-2519 form) and send them in.
Form ISP-2519 must be filled out by a doctor or nurse practitioner and sent to Service Canada.
You can use your My Service Canada account to apply online or send an application on paper.
People who apply online need to print out, fill out, sign, and send in form ISP-2502B. This permits Service Canada to get their personal information from the right places.
The medical form might cost money for your doctor to fill out. They can get up to $85 back from Service Canada for this service. You have to pay any extra money if they charge more than $85.
Sans that they are likely to die within six months, the application process is sped up to five business days. You need to fill out forms ISP-2530A and ISP-2530B in this case.
You have 90 days to ask for a second look at your CPP disability application if the first one is turned down. You can file more arguments with the Social Security Tribunal if your first appeal doesn’t work after being looked at again.
You can get benefits back for up to 12 months after the date you applied.
CPP Disability Benefit vs. Early Retirement CPP Pension
People who have paid into the CPP can choose to start receiving their income early, at age 60, but they will receive less money each year (7.2% less).
Simply complete the application process described above for the disability benefit if you are eligible.
One reason why the CPP disability vs. CPP retirement pension debate is significant is that you get more money under the disability benefit.
For 2024, the maximum retirement pension is $1,364.60, whereas it is $1,606.78 for the disability benefit. A difference of $242.18.
A second consideration is that you won’t be penalized with a reduced retirement pension when you later start collecting your CPP at the standard age of 65.
What if you have been receiving a CPP retirement pension for longer than 15 months? Can you still apply for CPP disability benefits?
Yes, if you are eligible, you can apply for the post-retirement disability benefit.
The benefit is $583.32, which is the flat-rate portion of the disability pension. It is paid until you reach age 65.