Canada Pension Plan disability benefits
The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability benefit is a monthly payment you can get if you are unable to work because of a disability.
Definitions
Substantially gainful work
- if you earn below $6,800 (before tax), this alone should not affect your disability benefits
- if you earn between $6,800 and $19,339.74 (before tax), this may show that you are regularly capable of working and it may affect your disability benefits
- if you earn $19,339.74 (before tax) or more, this demonstrates you are regularly capable of working and you will likely no longer qualify for disability benefits
You need to advise Service Canada when you reach any of these amounts and you should call when you start working. This does not necessarily mean that your benefits will stop. When reviewing your file, we will consider the factors listed above (hours, regularity, etc.). By contacting us, we can provide you with information about our work-related supports and services.
Terminal illness
A terminal medical condition is a disease state that cannot be cured or adequately treated and is reasonably expected to result in death within 6 months.
Grave condition
A grave condition is a rapidly progressive medical condition. A list of grave conditions was developed based on extensive research by ESDC. These conditions have a high probability of meeting the CPP disability eligibility criteria.
- Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
- Acute Myeloid Leukemia
- Adrenocortical Cancer
- Alzheimer's Disease: (Early onset, less than age 60)
- Amyloidosis
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Anal Cancer
- Appendiceal Cancer
- Bladder Cancer (Metastatic, Stage IV)
- Brain Cancer
- Breast Cancer (Metastatic/recurrent)
- Cervical Carcinoma
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
- Chronic Liver Disease
- Colorectal Cancer
- Endometrial Cancer
- Esophagus Cancer
- Follicular Lymphoma
- Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)
- Gallbladder Cancer
- Huntington Disease
- Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
- Kidney Cancer
- Liver Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- Malignant Melanoma
- Malignant Tumours of Small Intestine
- Multiple Myeloma
- Muscular Dystrophy (Adult onset)
- Ovarian Cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Parkinson's Disease
- Post-inflammatory Pulmonary Fibrosis
- Primary Cerebellar Degeneration
- Progressive Polyneuropathy
- Quadriplegia and Quadriparesis
- Schizophrenia
- Stomach Cancer
- Thymus Cancer
- Uterine Sarcoma
- Vascular Dementia
Where you can get help
If you have general questions about the disability benefits or specific questions about your application, contact us .
Other disability resources
- Canada Pension Plan disability benefit toolkit
- Other resources for people with disabilities
- One-time payment to persons with disabilitiesStatus: Closed
