
Common Questions
I’ve been turned down for CPP disability benefitsLast reviewed November 2020 by the Clicklaw Editors
If your application for Canada Pension Plan disability benefits has been denied, you have the right to appeal.
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:
- CPP-Disability Self-Help Guides - Appeals: The Reconsideration Request, from Disability Alliance BC, is a guide to the reconsideration process.
- CPP Disability Benefit, from the federal government, has information on requesting a reconsideration, including the form, in the section "After you have applied".
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:
(2) Appeal Division, which deals with appeals of General Division decisions.
Good starting points for information on filing an appeal with the SST:
- 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:
- See all common questions about disabilities
- See all common questions about pensions, benefits & welfare
- tags
- Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability benefits, reconsideration, appeals, Social Security Tribunal, SST, Service Canada