Canada Pension Plan disability benefits: Overview

Canada Pension Plan disability benefits

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability benefit is a monthly payment you can get if you are unable to work because of a disability.

Definitions

Substantially gainful work

Substantially gainful work is a job that pays wages equal to or greater than the maximum annual amount a person could receive as a disability pension. In 2024, this amount is $19,339.74 (before tax).

Once you have earned $6,800 (before tax) in 2024, you must contact Service Canada. Your disability benefits may be impacted by your gross (before tax) earnings:

  • if you earn below $6,800 (before tax), this alone should not affect your disability benefits
  • if you earn between $6,800 and $19,339.74 (before tax), this may show that you are regularly capable of working and it may affect your disability benefits
  • if you earn $19,339.74 (before tax) or more, this demonstrates you are regularly capable of working and you will likely no longer qualify for disability benefits

You need to advise Service Canada when you reach any of these amounts and you should call when you start working. This does not necessarily mean that your benefits will stop. When reviewing your file, we will consider the factors listed above (hours, regularity, etc.). By contacting us, we can provide you with information about our work-related supports and services.

Terminal illness

A terminal medical condition is a disease state that cannot be cured or adequately treated and is reasonably expected to result in death within 6 months.

Grave condition

A grave condition is a rapidly progressive medical condition. A list of grave conditions was developed based on extensive research by ESDC. These conditions have a high probability of meeting the CPP disability eligibility criteria.

  1. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
  2. Acute Myeloid Leukemia
  3. Adrenocortical Cancer
  4. Alzheimer's Disease: (Early onset, less than age 60)
  5. Amyloidosis
  6. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
  7. Anal Cancer
  8. Appendiceal Cancer
  9. Bladder Cancer (Metastatic, Stage IV)
  10. Brain Cancer
  11. Breast Cancer (Metastatic/recurrent)
  12. Cervical Carcinoma
  13. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
  14. Chronic Liver Disease
  15. Colorectal Cancer
  16. Endometrial Cancer
  17. Esophagus Cancer
  18. Follicular Lymphoma
  19. Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)
  20. Gallbladder Cancer
  21. Huntington Disease
  22. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
  23. Kidney Cancer
  24. Liver Cancer
  25. Lung Cancer
  26. Malignant Melanoma
  27. Malignant Tumours of Small Intestine
  28. Multiple Myeloma
  29. Muscular Dystrophy (Adult onset)
  30. Ovarian Cancer
  31. Pancreatic Cancer
  32. Parkinson's Disease
  33. Post-inflammatory Pulmonary Fibrosis
  34. Primary Cerebellar Degeneration
  35. Progressive Polyneuropathy
  36. Quadriplegia and Quadriparesis
  37. Schizophrenia
  38. Stomach Cancer
  39. Thymus Cancer
  40. Uterine Sarcoma
  41. Vascular Dementia

Where you can get help

If you have general questions about the disability benefits or specific questions about your application, contact us .

Other disability resources

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