Canada Pension Plan disability benefit

FederalDisabilityChecked October 2, 2026

CPP disability gives monthly payments to people under 65 who can't work regularly because of a severe and long-lasting disability. You must have paid enough into CPP.

How much

2026: a flat basic amount of $610.46/month plus an amount based on your contributions; maximum $1,741.20/month. Average for new recipients was $1,236.32/month (October 2025).

When it's paid

Paid monthly and taxable. Adjusted each January. Changes to the retirement pension at 65.

Who qualifies

Under 65
Enough recent CPP contributions
Disability is severe (you can't regularly do any substantially gainful work) and prolonged
Your dependent children may also get the CPP children's benefit

How to apply

Gather your medical and work information
Apply online through My Service Canada Account or with the paper application
Have your doctor or nurse practitioner complete the medical report
Answer any follow-up requests from Service Canada
Ask for a reconsideration if you are refused

What to have ready

Social Insurance Number
Medical report from a health professional
Work history
Consent forms included in the application

Common mistakes to avoid

Waiting too long to apply
Sending an incomplete medical report
Expecting it to cover medication or equipment - it does not

Still being confirmed: The exact recent-contribution test (number of contributory years required) was not re-read on 2026-10-02. Check the official page for the latest details.

Official sources

Last checked against these pages on October 2, 2026.

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BenefitCanada is independent and not affiliated with any government. This guide summarizes official sources in plain language; rules and amounts change, so always confirm on the official page before applying.