CPP-D

After applying

Service Canada will review and process the application. It can take up to 8 months to hear back about their decision.

You should expect Service Canada to call you or send you a letter to confirm they have received your application. If you do not hear from them within three months, contact the Canada Pension Plan.

They may call you again to ask for more information — for instance, a medical evaluation from another doctor. After they have reviewed the application, they will call you with a decision. They will follow up with a letter about the decision.

If your application is approved

You will get a decision letter from Service Canada to let you know that you have been approved to receive CPP disability benefits. Your decision letter will tell you the date and estimated amount of your first payment. It will also give information about any retroactive lump sum payment.

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If your application is denied

You will get a decision letter from Service Canada. It will explain why your application was denied.

Here are some reasons why your application might be denied:

  1. Your disability may not be considered severe and prolonged

    Your condition has to be serious enough to stop you from working at any gainful employment. It also has to be long-term.

  2. You have not made enough contributions

    You need to have worked and contributed to CPP for at least 4 out of the 6 years immediately before you became disabled. This is called the minimum qualifying period.

    You may want to check your contributions. You can get a statement of your contributions by calling Service Canada. Ask to have the statement mailed to you. Or, if you have a My Service Canada account, you can view or print a copy of your statement of contribution

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How to apply FAQ

Review other key disability benefits

Please look at the other benefits you may be able to get if you do not already:

Persons with Disabilities Designation – B.C.

Disability Tax Credit (DTC)

Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)

Explore more benefits

When finished with the four disability benefits, learn about other benefits you can receive.

If you already have the 4 key benefits on this site, you can look for other benefits you may be able to get. Please look at our Benefits wayfinder tool which will show other disability and non-disability related benefits available.

Explore more benefits