Canada Pension Plan disability benefits: Do you qualify
Do you qualify
Who can receive a CPP disability benefit
To qualify for a Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability benefit, you must:
- Be over 18 and under 65 years old
- Have a mental or physical disability that regularly stops you from doing any type of substantially gainful work
- Have a disability that is long-term and of indefinite duration, or is likely to result in death
- Contributed enough to the CPP
What is considered enough contributions to the CPP
- Contributions for at least 4 of the last 6 years prior to the date you became disabled
- Contributions for at least 25 years, including 3 of the last 6 years
Find out more about how to access your Statement of Contributions
If you lived and worked in Quebec
You may need to apply to the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) disability benefit
You can apply for the Quebec Pension Plan disability benefit if one of the following applies to you:
- You have lived and worked only in the province of Quebec
- You currently live in Quebec and have worked both in the province of Quebec and in another province or territory
- You have worked in Quebec, currently live outside Canada and your last province of residence was Quebec
If you paid into both the CPP and QPP, you need to apply to the province where you live now.
If you didn't apply right away or were unable to apply
You may still qualify for CPP disability benefits even if you stopped working a while ago or didn't apply right away.
You could get benefits if:
- You contributed enough years to the CPP before you first became severely disabled
- You have been continuously disabled since that time
- You were incapacitated and couldn't apply or express your intention to apply
Contact us to find out if you're eligible.
Other conditions that could help you qualify
If you worked less to raise your children while they were under the age of 7
If you have periods of zero or low income because you stayed home to raise your children, the child-rearing provision could help you qualify for the disability benefit.
If you are divorced or separated
Any contributions you and your spouse or common-law partner made to the CPP while you lived together may be equally divided after a divorce or a separation. This may help you qualify for the disability benefit. Find out more about credit splitting for divorced or separated couples.
If you lived and/or worked in another country
If you lived and/or worked in Canada and in another country, the credits you earned in that country may help you qualify for the disability benefit.
Other benefits you may be eligible for
CPP Children's benefit
If you are getting a disability benefit, any of your dependent children can get a monthly payment if they are:
- Under 18 years old
- Between 18 and 25 years old and attending school full-time or part-time
Find out more about the CPP Children's benefit.
CPP post-retirement disability benefit
If you currently get the monthly CPP retirement pension, you could also receive the Canada Pension Plan post-retirement disability benefit if you:
- Are 60 to 65 years old
- Have a mental or physical disability that regularly stops you from doing any type of substantially gainful work
- Have a disability that is long-term and of indefinite duration, or is likely to result in death
- You become disabled after starting to receive the CPP retirement pension
- Have contributed enough to the CPP
What is considered enough contributions to the CPP
- Contributions for at least 4 of the last 6 years prior to the date you became disabled
- Contributions for at least 25 years, including 3 of the last 6 years
Find out more about the CPP post-retirement disability benefit.