- Long-Term Disability
- Are More People on CPP Disability Now Compared to 10 Years Ago?
CPP disability benefits are higher today than they were 10 years ago, largely due to annual inflation adjustments and changes to contribution limits. But how much have payments actually increased? We examine the year-by-year growth and the real impact on claimants.
Are More People on CPP Disability Now?
Mental health claims in Canada have been steadily rising over the years, a trend which was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. While less stigma surrounding mental health may contribute to more people seeking help and subsequently applying for CPPD disability benefits, the overall increase in mental health claims also reflects broader societal and healthcare challenges.
These may include increased awareness of mental health issues, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental well-being, and the complexities and challenges of the disability benefits application process.
Pain, mobility and agility-related disability claims have also increased, which can partially be attributed to the growing percentage of baby boomers reporting these disabilities relative to the total Canadian population.
Is it True that most First-time CPP Disability Applicants are Denied?
Statistically, yes. What our CPP Disability Lawyers have noticed is that the CPP disability system has been quite criticized for its inefficiency and high denial rates. For instance, a 2015 Auditor General report revealed that more than half of initial applications for the CPP Disability program were denied in 2014-2015, with 35% of those who appealed subsequently being granted benefits.
Perhaps the trend can be attributed to the program’s stringent eligibility criteria and the complexity of the application process. CPP Disability requires that an applicant’s disability be both “severe” and “prolonged,” criteria that are interpreted strictly. The definition of “severe” implies that the individual is incapable of regularly pursuing any substantially gainful occupation.
At the same time, “prolonged” indicates that the disability is long-term and of indefinite duration, or is likely to result in death. Due to these rigorous standards, many applicants fail to provide sufficient medical evidence or detailed documentation that aligns precisely with these definitions.
Additionally, the application itself is comprehensive, requiring extensive medical records, employment history, and personal documentation. Applicants often struggle to navigate this complexity and may inadvertently provide incomplete or inadequate information. This situation can also perhaps lead to an initial denial, even when the applicant does indeed qualify for benefits.
However, upon appeal, many of these applications are approved. The appeals process allows for a more thorough review of the case, often with additional information or clarified documentation that was not included or emphasized in the original application. In some cases, applicants seek assistance from CPP paralegals or CPP lawyers to help strengthen their appeal, which can significantly improve their chances of success.
This assistance can help in effectively communicating the severity and impact of the applicant’s disability, aligning their situation more clearly with CPP Disability’s eligibility criteria. Therefore, the appeal process often serves as a critical avenue for many deserving applicants to gain access to the benefits they need finally. Please speak to our long-term disability lawyers for more information about appealing your CPP Disability benefits today.
More Men than Women Apply for CPP
Statistically, since 1993, there have always been more men than women who apply for CPP Disability. For example, way back in 1993, there were 498 new female applicants in Canada between the ages of 25 and 29, compared to 698 men. The number of applications among females in this age bracket peaked in 2006, with 271 new applicants.
For men in the same age bracket, the peak year was 1994 with 798 new applicants. In 2022, the applicants in this age bracket reduced significantly, with 152 applicants being female and 164 being male.
What is the most Common Age to apply for CPP Disability?
For males, the most common application age range is 55 to 59, with the peak application year being 2020, with 5474 applicants, when the COVID lockdowns started. For females, the most common age bracket is the same (55 to 59), with the most applications for disability benefits peaking in 2018, being 6131.
The second most common age bracket among males is between the ages of 60 and 64. In 1993, 8,315 males applied for CPP disability, a number that had reduced significantly to 3,800 by 2023. In the same age bracket among females, there were 4322 applicants in 1994 and 3452 in 2023.
Did COVID increase the number of CPP Disability Applications?
Yes, applications for CPP Disability Benefits increased month over month for both men and women during the pandemic. Among males aged 55 to 59, applications during the pandemic increased from 4844 to 5474 in 2020, then reduced to 4313 in 2021 and 3800 by the year 2022.
In the 60 to 64-year age bracket, applications increased from 3879 to 4878 in 2020, then decreased to 3818 in 2021 and to 3784 by 2022. For males aged 45 to 49, applications increased from 2542 to 2874 in 2020, then reduced to 2234 in 2021 and to 1981 by the year 2022.
In females aged 60 to 64, CPP applications increased during COVID from 3448 in 2019 to 4343 in 2020, then reduced to 3593 in 2021 to 3452 in 2022. For the 50 to 59 age bracket, the number of women who applied in 2000 19 was 4932, compared to 5924 in 2020. That number was further reduced to 4872 in 2021 and to 4197 in 2022. Similarly, females aged 45 to 49 saw applications increase from 3175 to 3713 in 2020, 2912 in 2021, and 2636 in 2022.
Although other age brackets are not referred to in this article, the study of the data released by Service Canada shows that applications increased for CPP disability benefits during the pandemic for every single age bracket from ages 25 to 64.
How many People are Currently Collecting CPP Disability Benefits in Canada?
As of 2023, 324,504 Canadians are receiving CPP Disability Benefits in Canada. CPP beneficiaries have been steadily increasing since 1993, peaking in 2018, when 339,194 Canadians were collecting Benefits. Below is a table outlining the beneficiaries by fiscal year since 1980:
| Year | CPP Beneficiaries |
| 1993 | 250,700 |
| 1994 | 281,190 |
| 1995 | 298,698 |
| 1996 | 298,966 |
| 1997 | 292,389 |
| 1998 | 287,740 |
| 1999 | 287,709 |
| 2000 | 283,508 |
| 2001 | 279,352 |
| 2002 | 281,263 |
| 2003 | 286,717 |
| 2004 | 290,557 |
| 2005 | 294,537 |
| 2006 | 302,288 |
| 2007 | 306,686 |
| 2008 | 310,196 |
| 2009 | 314,620 |
| 2010 | 319,432 |
| 2011 | 325,181 |
| 2012 | 329,396 |
| 2013 | 330,050 |
| 2014 | 329,035 |
| 2015 | 330,861 |
| 2016 | 334,301 |
| 2017 | 336,791 |
| 2018 | 339,194 |
| 2019 | 337,569 |
| 2020 | 335,310 |
| 2021 | 333,481 |
| 2022 | 324,504 |
How many People are collecting a CPP Disability Pension?
Although not related to CPP disability, it’s important to note that there has been a major increase in the number of people retiring and collecting a CPP Pension in Canada over the past 20 years. Why is this?
Aging Population: A significant portion of Canada’s population is aging, with over 20% of the working-age population (aged 15 to 64 years) aged 55 to 64. This demographic shift has led to a record number of Canadians nearing retirement age. The population aged 65 or older grew by 18.3% between 2016 and 2021, following a 20% increase from 2011 to 2016.
Change in Retirement Age Trends: The average retirement age in Canada has increased over the past two decades. In the past 20 years, the average retirement age has increased by 3.4 years, with the most significant increase among public sector workers, the have seen it rise by 4.1 years since 2002.
Financial and Health Considerations: The decision to retire is heavily influenced by financial situations and health. Among Canadians who have fully retired, 35% of men and 28.2% of women stated that finances were a key factor in deciding when to retire. Additionally, health issues or disabilities also played a significant role, with 22.8% of men and 22.9% of women retiring completely due to health concerns or a disability.
Is it Difficult to Get Approved for CPP Disability Benefits?
To be approved for CPP Disability Benefits, you must have 1) met specific contribution requirements, and 2) you must also have a disability that is both severe and prolonged, as defined by the CPP legislation.
Contribution Requirements:
To be eligible for Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Disability benefits, an individual must meet specific contribution requirements based on their work history.
Firstly, you must have contributed to the CPP in at least four of the last six years leading up to your disability. This period is considered the “minimum qualifying period,” and these contributions must be based on earnings that meet or exceed the annual minimum amounts, which are determined relative to the year’s Maximum Pensionable Earnings (YMPE).
There is, however, an exception for long-term contributors. If an individual has been contributing to the CPP for 25 years or more, the requirement is slightly relaxed, necessitating contributions in only three of the last six years before the onset of disability.
Furthermore, the CPP incorporates a “child-rearing provision,” which allows parents who have taken time off work to care for young children to exclude low-earning or non-earning years from their contributory period, thereby helping them meet the contribution requirements.
These rules ensure that those who have consistently contributed to the CPP over a significant period, but who are now unable to work due to a severe and prolonged disability, can access the support they need.
Severe and Prolonged Disability:
The most critical part of the legislative test is proving that the applicant has a disability that is both “severe” and “prolonged”:
In terms of “severity,” the disability must be of such a nature that it prevents the individual from regularly performing any substantially gainful occupation. This means the disability must be significant enough to preclude the individual from engaging in any work that can provide a sustainable income.
In terms of prolonged the disability must be long-term and of indefinite duration, or it must be likely to result in death. This aspect of the test ensures that CPP Disability benefits are provided to those with enduring disabilities, rather than to those with temporary or short-term conditions.
What to do if You’ve Been Denied CPP Disability
Being denied CPP Disability benefits can feel discouraging, but an initial denial does not necessarily mean you do not qualify. Many deserving applicants are refused simply because the medical evidence was incomplete, unclear, or did not properly address the legal test of whether the disability is both severe and prolonged.
The key is not just proving that you are injured or ill, but demonstrating how your condition functionally prevents you from regularly pursuing substantially gainful employment.
If your application has been denied, seeking experienced legal guidance can significantly improve your chances on reconsideration or appeal. Call us today at 905-333-8888 or contact us online by sending a confidential message and we would be happy to get back to you and explain your options.
Article FAQ
CPP Disability benefits are only available before age 65
To qualify for CPP Disability benefits, an applicant must generally be over 18 and under 65 years old. The benefit is intended for people who contributed to the CPP but can no longer regularly perform substantially gainful work because of a severe and prolonged disability.
The CPP Disability test focuses on work capacity, not diagnosis alone
A medical diagnosis is not enough by itself. CPP Disability requires evidence that the applicant has a mental or physical disability that regularly stops them from doing any type of substantially gainful work.
The disability must also be long-term or indefinite
CPP Disability benefits require proof that the disability is long-term and of indefinite duration, or is likely to result in death. This is why medical evidence about prognosis, treatment history, and functional limitations is so important.
Most applicants must meet CPP contribution rules
In most cases, applicants must have contributed to the CPP in at least four of the last six years before becoming disabled. Long-term contributors may qualify if they contributed for at least 25 years, including three of the last six years.
CPP Disability is paid as a monthly benefit
CPP Disability is a monthly payment. The amount depends partly on a basic monthly amount and partly on the applicant’s CPP contribution history during their working years.
The basic monthly CPP Disability amount for 2026 is $610.46
For 2026, the basic monthly CPP Disability amount is $610.46. The final payment may be higher because an additional amount is calculated based on how much the applicant contributed to the CPP during their working years.
The maximum monthly CPP Disability benefit for 2026 is $1,741.20
The maximum monthly CPP Disability payment for 2026 is $1,741.20. This amount is not guaranteed because each applicant’s benefit depends on their individual contribution history.
CPP Disability does not cover medication or medical-device costs
CPP Disability benefits provide income support, but they do not pay for medications, medical devices, or other health-related expenses. Applicants may need to look at provincial, territorial, private insurance, or other benefit programs for those costs.
About 8 million Canadians reported having a disability in 2022
Statistics Canada reported that 27% of Canadians aged 15 and older, or approximately 8 million people, had one or more disabilities that limited their daily activities in 2022. This was an increase from 22% in 2017.
Pain and mental health conditions are major disability issues in Canada
Among Canadians with disabilities in 2022, pain-related disability was the most common type, reported by 62% of persons with disabilities. Flexibility, mobility, and mental health-related disabilities were also among the most common disability types.