CPP Disability Eligibility 2024: See if You qualify

Are you unable to work due to a disability in Canada?

If so, you are in an unfortunate situation and likely need all the financial help you can get.

Luckily, you might qualify for the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability pension. 

CPP disability eligibility

If you answer yes to the following eligibility checklist provided by the government, you might qualify for the CPP disability benefit.:

1. Have a mental or physical disability that prevents you from working
2. Have a long-term disability that is long-term that will last indefinitely or is likely to result in death.
3. Made enough contributions to the CPP.
4. Are under the age of 65.

If you don’t have a mental or physical disability, or you do have a disability but it is not considered long-term, you will not be eligible for the benefit.

Eligibility also depends on if you have contributed either of the following to the CPP:

• Four of the last six years
• Three of the last six years if you contributed for at least 25 years.

That is the minimum you must have contributed to be eligible for this disability benefit.

If you aren’t sure of when you’ve contributed or how the CPP works, check out this CPP guide here.

How to Apply for and Receive the CPP Disability Benefit

It’s a straightforward approach to getting the CPP disability benefit, though it might take a while. Here are the

1. Apply for the benefit here. You’ll have to submit an application form and medical form, then wait for an approval letter.
2. It can take up to four months for an approval or denial decision to be made, so be prepared for a potentially very long wait.
3. If your medical condition is determined to be severe or if you have a terminal illness, your application might be processed as quickly as 5 or 30 business days.
4. If you are approved for the benefit, your decision letter will inform you of the date and amount of your first payment.

CPP disability benefits amount

For 2023, you could receive between the following amount:

• Minimum of $558.74 per month
• Maximum of $1,538.67 per month

You would receive between those two amounts depending on how much you’ve contributed to CPP.

CPP disability lump sum payment tax

You might find yourself in a situation where you are receiving Long Term Disability (LTD) payments from an insurance company, and you also qualify for the CPP disability benefits amount.

You might be surprised that you might have to pay a CPP disability lump sum payment tax. If you’re faced with this tax bill, don’t panic. 

If you’ve been paying your taxes towards your LTD payments properly, there’s a good chance you will be ok. Contact Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), and find out if you can do the following:

1. Receive a tax credit for the amount you’ve already paid for LTD payments.
2. If they can spread out the CPP disability payments over several years to minimize your taxes owed.

You can contact the CRA at 1-800-959-8281. 

Conclusion

The CPP disability program is a fantastic supplement if you’re in need and qualify for it. If you think you qualify, apply for it today.

If you have any other CPP questions, check out this link here for answers.