Common Questions

I’ve been turned down for CPP disability benefits

Last reviewed January 2019


If your application for Canada Pension Plan disability benefits has been denied, you have the right to appeal. 

Note: Disability Alliance BC has written a community update on January 24, 2019 about changes to CPP-D Benefits. Read their post here.

First Level of Appeal

If you receive a letter from Service Canada denying your application for CPP disability benefits, you can request a reconsideration of the decision within 90 days of receiving the letter. This step can take several months.

Good starting points for information on making a reconsideration request:

Next Level of Appeal

If you then receive a letter denying your reconsideration request, you can appeal to the General Division of the Social Security Tribunal (SST). 

The SST has two Divisions:

(1) General Division, which decides CPP and Old Age Security (OAS) appeals; and
(2) Appeal Division, which deals with appeals of General Division decisions.


Good starting points for information on filing an appeal with the SST:

  • Social Security Tribunal Guide, from Disability Alliance BC, explains how to navigate the second stage of the CPP-D appeal process, the Social Security Tribunal.
  • Canada Pension Plan Appeals, from the federal government, provides information about the appeal process at both the General and Appeal Division.

Need more help?

  • CPP Disability Benefits Advocacy Program, from Disability Alliance BC, assists people with disabilities to apply for and appeal the denial of the federal CPP Disability Benefit.
  • Community Law Program, from Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS), may be able to help you if you have applied for CPP disability benefits and have lost your appeal to the Social Security Tribunal (SST).
  • Find more help near you on Clicklaw HelpMap.

See our related common questions:

tags
Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability benefits, reconsideration, appeals, Social Security Tribunal, SST, Service Canada