Canada Pension Plan

We help clients who apply for disability benefits under the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).

CPP will pay benefits to those who have paid enough contributions into the Plan and who then become “eligible”. You and your dependents can become eligible for various reasons, such as:

• you have turned 60 or 65 years of age (retirement pension)
• you are unable to work because of a disability (disability benefits)
• your spouse or partner has died (survivor benefits)

We can give you information, advice and representation about denials of CPP benefits. We most frequently give advice to people who have been denied the CPP Disability benefit.

CPP Disability Benefits

CPP disability benefits are paid to people who have made sufficient contributions to CPP and who have a severe and prolonged disability. The disability must prevent the person from working at any job that is “substantially gainful’.

The medical test for qualifying for CPP is higher than for ODSP. However, CPP disability benefits can be paid to you (and dependents) regardless of the amount of your income.

If your application for CPP disability benefits is denied, you should contact us immediately. You generally have 90 days from the date of any decision to appeal.

We can help you appeal a decision and we may be able to represent you at your appeal hearing.

Depending on your financial situation, you may be eligible for ODSP benefits as well as CPP disability benefits. You can contact our office to determine if you should apply for ODSP.

The Steps to Justice website offers step-by-step information about Canada Pension Plan disability benefits and other common legal problems.