Apply

• Read all instructions, which include steps for completing your application, changes that may affect your benefits, an address page, a checklist and other information about disability benefits
• Write/type your Social Insurance Number at the top of each page in the form and sign all areas that require your signature
• If you are a parent or guardian, you can request the child-rearing provision and the children's benefit (both included in the application form)
• If you are unable to fill out the forms, a family member or a friend can help you. Make sure that you sign where necessary
• Keep photocopies of everything you submit. If you call us, write down the name of the person you speak to and the date and time of your conversation. Keep all the information in one place

You must provide consent for someone to help you with your application. You can do this 2 ways:

1. through your My Service Canada Account

or

2. complete the Consent to Communicate Information to an Authorized Person form (ISP-1603) and mail it to us, or drop it off at a Service Canada office

This does not give the person helping you authority to:

• submit your application
• apply for benefits on your behalf
• change your payment address
• request or change the withholding of tax for you

If you need to apply or act on someone's behalf

If someone cannot manage their own affairs, another person or agency may act on their behalf.

To apply to administer benefits on someone's behalf you need to:

• have a medical professional complete the Certificate of Incapability form (ISP-3505)
• complete 1 of the following forms that applies to you:
  • Agreement to administer benefits under the Old Age Security Act and/or the Canada Pension Plan by a Private Trustee form (ISP-3506) (for administration by an individual)
  • Agreement to administer benefits under the Old Age Security Act and/or the Canada Pension Plan by an Agency or Institution form (ISP-3507) (for administration by an agency, charitable organization or municipality)

You will need to mail it to us, or drop it off at a Service Canada office.

These forms do not give the person applying on someone's behalf authority to submit their application through MSCA. You must submit a paper application.

In addition to your application, you need a medical form completed by your doctor or nurse practitioner. It is very important that you:

• complete Sections 1 and 2 of the Medical Report (ISP-2519) / Terminal Illness Medical Attestation form (ISP-2530B) before you give it to your doctor or nurse practitioner
• do not wait for your doctor or nurse practitioner to complete the medical report or medical attestation forms before sending your completed application to us
• if you are currently receiving a disability benefit from an insurance company or a provincial/territorial agency, you can ask them to send us your most current medical records instead of the medical report form

We will pay your health care professional up to $85 for completing your medical form. Should they charge more than $85, you are responsible for covering any extra costs.

Consult the amounts that Service Canada will reimburse your health care professional.

If you have made enough contributions to the Canada Pension Plan, we pass your file to our medical specialists for a medical assessment.

Applications are not assessed on the basis of a medical diagnosis alone, or on the basis of which disability or disease you have. Several factors are considered, including:

• the nature and severity of your medical condition
• the impact of the medical condition and treatment on your capacity to work
• the likely course of your condition
• your age, education and work history
• the number of hours worked, your ability to attend work regularly, and earnings
• your volunteer and educational activities

Service Canada does not consider the availability of suitable employment in the applicant's region when determining eligibility.

If you are self-employed

If you are self-employed, your application will be assessed the same way as those who work for an employer. We will review your file and look at a number of factors to determine if you qualify for disability benefits. These factors include how involved you are in the everyday activities of the business, and the gross earnings of the business.

Applications from anyone with a terminal illness receive priority handling. A terminal illness is a disease state that cannot be cured or adequately treated and is reasonably expected to result in death within 6 months.

Our goal is to make a decision within 5 business days of receiving a complete Terminal Illness Application, including a complete Terminal Illness Medical Attestation form (ISP-2530B).

If a grave condition is identified on the application and medical form, we aim to process your application within 30 calendar days.