How do I apply for CPP disability benefits?

Your employer or the government will not apply for you. You have to do it or ask someone to help you.

When to apply

You should apply for CPP disability benefits as soon as you:

• know that you have a serious disability
• have stopped working, and
• can get all the documents and evidence , including medical reports, you need about your disability

There is no time limit to apply. But, CPP will only consider you disabled for a maximum of 15 months before you apply. Since CPP starts paying benefits 4 months after you become disabled, you can only get disability benefit payments for up to 11 months before the date you applied.

When your benefits might stop

Usually, you continue getting CPP disability benefits until one of the following happens:

• you turn 65 years of age or start getting a CPP retirement pension
• you go back to work
• you are able to work on a regular basis and make more than the maximum amount set by CPP
• you go back to school full-time, in some cases

If you’re getting a CPP retirement pension

If you're 60 to 64 years old and getting a CPP retirement pension, you may be able to switch it to CPP disability benefits. See the step called Learn what your options are if you're 60 to 64 years old.

If your disability comes back

If your disability comes back after you return to work, you may be able to start getting CPP disability benefits again without going through the full application process. See the step called Find out how to restart your benefits if your disability returns after you go back to work.