Applying for CPP



As your lawyer begins to build your case let's talk about something you can do that will alleviate your stress and lighten your financial burden. That is, applying for Canada Pension Plan disability benefits or CPP.

CPP is separate from your private long term disability insurance. It is a government-sponsored plan available to all Canadians under 65 who contributed to the plan and who suffer from a severe and prolonged disability. Throughout your work history, you've probably been paying into CPP through paycheck deductions and other means.

Your team at Share Lawyers strongly encourages you to apply for your CPP benefits. Here are a few reasons why:

  • If you qualify, you can start collecting monthly disability benefits now, even before your lawyer reaches a resolution to your long term disability case.

  • In some cases your private insurance policy may require you to file for CPP benefits, so it's a good idea to start the process now.

  • In most cases the insurance company will want to deduct what you could be getting from CPP from what the insurance company pays you for long term disability benefits, even if you are not receiving CPP.

So, you might as well try to get CPP from the government, so that any deduction by the insurance company is meaningless.

If you qualify for CPP benefits, it will help in negotiating your long term disability settlement. If you don't qualify, as the test for getting CPP benefits is not exactly the same as your long term disability, it does not mean you cannot succeed with your long term disability claim. So, there's no downside for applying for CPP and it gives you a chance of some financial relief by giving you benefits sooner.

Now that you know why you should apply for CPP, here's how you go about it.

  • First, go online to the Canada Pension Plan disability benefits section of the Government of Canada website, follow the steps and read all information before starting an application.

  • Be prepared to provide medical information from your treating physician that shows you suffer from a severe and prolonged disability. To help you, there are separate sections of the application for you and your doctor to fill out.

  • Don't wait for your doctor or nurse practitioner to complete the medical report. Send your portion of the application to CPP as soon as it's ready.

Remember there's no penalty for collecting CPP benefits during your lawsuit. You really should be getting what you've been paying towards: what is rightfully yours.

Share Lawyers does not represent clients through the CPP application process but the firm will provide you with information and other assistance to help you as much as possible.

Please don't hesitate to reach out to a client services lawyer if you have any questions.