Dalhousie Legal Aid Service

Schulich School of Law

Canada Pension Plan Disability

Download: PDF [890 kb]  

People who are not able to work regularly because of a disability and who have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan may be eligible for a disability benefit in the form of a taxable monthly payment. Learn more below.

Introduction to CPPD

Download: PDF [707 kb]

This unit covers some basic definitions, explains what CPPD is and who is eligible.

Minimum Qualifying Period

Download: PDF [660 kb]

This unit goes over two important factors in qualifying for CPPD: the minimum qualifying period and CPP contributions.

Applications & Appeals

Download: PDF [672 kb]

This unit takes you through the process of receiving CPPD, all the way from applying through to reconsideration and appeals to the Social Security Tribunal.

Helpful Tips

Download: PDF [813 kb]

This unit contains some pointers for the initial application stage, reconsiderations and appeals.

Additional Resources

Download: PDF [452 kb]

Here we've provided a list of places you go for more information on CPPD.

Case Law

 Applicable case law on CPP Disability comes from the Pension Appeals Board (eventually the SST Appeal Division) and the Federal Court of Appeal.  The Supreme Court of Canada can also make decisions on CPP Disability, but rarely does. Pension Appeal Board decisions can be searched online at: http://dev3.canada.gc.ca/pab/

Federal Court of Appeal decisions can be searched online at CANLII at: http://www.canlii.org/en/ca/fca/ 

Government
The federal government maintains a website on CPP Disability: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/isp/cpp/disaben.shtml 

Community Legal Education Ontario

 CLEO has a publication about CPP Disability: http://www.cleo.on.ca/en/publications/cppdisability

Nova Scotia Legal Aid

 NSLA offices provide summary advice to clients regarding CPP Disability.  Their contact information can be found here: http://www.nslegalaid.ca/contact.php