Disability Claims Advocacy Clinic

A Brief Overview of CPP Disability Benefits

In early 1966, Canadian workers and their employers made their first contributions to the Canada Pension Plan. The disability program was designed to provide protection to working Canadians against the loss of earnings due to a disability. In recent years, the Canada Pension Plan like many other disability income programs has experienced the impact of rising costs and caseloads.

Demographic trends point to the aging of our population. The incidence of disability increases with the aging of our society. The number of new applications for CPP disability benefits has grown significantly over the past decade. According to Canada Pension Plan statistics the beneficiary caseload has increased 93% from 1987 to 1996.

What Did the Government Do?

Research undertaken by the Advocacy Research Counsel for the Handicapped in Toronto indicates that there will be cumulative reduction in Canada Pension Plan spending on disability pensions by the year 2005 of over $1 billion dollars. Just as demographic trends point to the aging of our society, the disability component of Canada Pension Plan has been reduced. This is causing problems on a national scale.

Some Statistics:

The Manitoba processing center is responsible for adjudicating Saskatchewan disability claims. According to Canada Pension Plan national statistics this region received 4,527 applications for disability benefits in 1997-98.

Approximately 66% of these applications were denied.

First level appeals (reconsideration appeals) have increased 84% from 12,124 in 1990-91 to 3,338 in 1997-98.

Appeals to the Office of the Commissioner of Review Tribunals have increased 200% from 3,338 in 1993-94 to more than 10,000 in 1998-99.

Appeals to the Pension Appeals Board have increased 1800% from 161 in 1991 to 3,060 in 1997.

Appeal Procedures — What You Need to Know:

Without appropriate assistance an applicant is ill prepared for the appeal procedures. the Canada Pension Plan legislation is complex, the criteria for a disability pension is strict, and the onus is on you to prove that you are disabled according to the legislation.

You also need to be advised on what information the appeals panels are trying to obtain when they question you. The more prepared the applicant is the better.

CPP Appeals Manual | CPP Application Guide