The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability benefit is a monthly payment for people under 65 who have paid into the CPP and can no longer work at any job on a regular basis because of a long-term disability. Your children can get a monthly benefit too. It’s paid on the same day as all other CPP payments.
How much CPP disability pays
Your payment has two parts: a basic amount that everyone gets ($610.46 a month in 2026), plus an amount based on how much you paid into the CPP during your working years. Amounts go up each January with the cost of living.
| Benefit (2026) | Average for new recipients | Maximum a month |
|---|---|---|
| Disability benefit | $1,236.32 | $1,741.20 |
| Post-retirement disability benefit (if you already get a CPP retirement pension) | $610.46 | $610.46 |
| Children’s benefit, per child (under 18, or 18 to 25 in school full time) | $307.81 | $307.81 |
| Children’s benefit, per child (18 to 25 in school part time) | $153.91 | $153.91 |
| Combined survivor’s and disability benefit | $1,335.78 | $1,756.14 |
Averages are for people who started getting the benefit recently, as published by Service Canada for 2026. You get the maximum only if you paid the most into the CPP for most of your working life. To see your own estimate, sign in to My Service Canada Account and check your Statement of Contributions.
For example, a parent who gets the average disability benefit and has two children under 18 would get $1,234.68 for themselves plus $615.62 for the children, or $1,850.30 a month in 2026.
CPP disability is taxable. Tax is not taken off automatically, so you may owe at tax time. You can ask Service Canada to deduct tax each month.
Who qualifies
- You are 18 to 64.
- You have a physical or mental disability that stops you from working at any job on a regular basis, not just your usual job.
- The disability is long-term and not expected to get better, or is likely to cause death.
- You paid into the CPP in 4 of the last 6 years, or in 3 of the last 6 years if you paid in for at least 25 years in total.
- You don’t live in Quebec. If you live or last lived in Quebec, apply to the Quebec Pension Plan instead.
Special rules can help if you worked in another country, took time off to raise young children, or divorced or separated. If you became disabled years ago and didn’t apply, you may still qualify if you had enough contributions when your disability began.
How to apply
CPP disability is not automatic. You have to apply, and your health care provider has to fill out a medical report.
- Apply online through My Service Canada Account, in the Canada Pension Plan section. Or use the paper form ISP-1151 (ISP-2530A if you have a terminal illness).
- Sign the consent form ISP-2502 so Service Canada can get your medical information.
- Fill in sections 1 and 2 of the medical report ISP-2519, then give it to your doctor or nurse practitioner to finish. Service Canada pays up to $175 for this report.
- Ask for the children’s benefit on the same application if you have children under 18, or 18 to 25 and in school.
Service Canada aims to decide within 120 calendar days (4 months). If you have a terminal illness, the goal is 5 business days, and 30 calendar days for a grave condition. You can check your status in My Service Canada Account.
Payments start 4 months after the date you’re found to be disabled. You may get up to 11 months of back payments, so apply as soon as you can.
If you’re turned down, you can ask Service Canada to look at it again. Send your request in writing within 90 days of getting the decision letter.
Working and other rules while you get it
- Work: you can earn up to $7,400 before tax in 2026 without telling Service Canada. Above that, you must tell them, because it may show you can work regularly.
- Volunteering and school: tell Service Canada if these add up to more than 15 hours a week for 4 months or longer.
- Trying to go back to work: a 3-month work trial lets you test working while you keep your benefit. If you stop again within 2 years because of the same disability, you may be able to restart your benefit quickly.
- Reviews: Service Canada may review your file and ask for updated medical information.
- At 65: your disability benefit changes to a CPP retirement pension automatically.
If you also get disability payments from private insurance or a provincial program, you can still get CPP disability, but those other payers may reduce what they pay you.
What changed in 2026
- A 2.0% increase. CPP benefits went up 2.0% in January 2026. The next increase is due in January 2027.
- The 2026 earnings limit. You can earn up to $7,400 in 2026 before you have to tell Service Canada.
- Canada Disability Benefit top-up. People who got the Canada Disability Benefit between July 2025 and June 2026 got a one-time $150 payment on September 17, 2026, to help with the cost of getting the Disability Tax Credit. People approved since July 2026 get it in winter 2027.
Payment late, missing or different?
Payments are sent on the date in the calendar at the top of this page, but can take a few days to arrive. Cheques are mailed during the last 3 business days of the month and take longer than direct deposit. Service Canada asks you to wait 5 to 10 business days before you call.
Check your payments in My Service Canada Account. Then call 1-800-277-9914 (TTY 1-800-255-4786), Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm local time. From outside Canada and the US, call collect at 1-613-957-1954.
Common reasons a payment stops or changes: you moved or changed banks without updating your details, your earnings went over the limit, a review found you can work regularly, you turned 65 and the benefit changed to a retirement pension, or a child’s benefit ended because they turned 18 and haven’t sent proof they’re in school.
Watch for scams. Service Canada never charges a fee to get your benefit and never asks for payment by gift card, Bitcoin or wire transfer. Don’t give passwords or banking details in reply to a text or email. Report scams to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
Other help you might be missing
- Canada Disability Benefit: a monthly payment for people 18 to 64 approved for the Disability Tax Credit. CPP disability counts as income, but someone getting the average CPP disability benefit is still under the income level where it starts to go down.
- Disability Tax Credit: lowers your income tax, and you need it to get the Canada Disability Benefit. It’s a separate application from CPP disability, online or by mail.
- ODSP, AISH or ADAP: provincial disability support in Ontario and Alberta. In Ontario, people on CPP disability qualify for ODSP without a separate disability review, if they also meet the financial rules.
- Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit: a tax-free payment four times a year for people with low or modest incomes. You get it by filing your taxes.
- Canada Workers Benefit: if you’re able to work a little, this tax credit includes a disability supplement.
- Canadian Dental Care Plan: dental coverage if you have no dental insurance and your family income is under $90,000.
Common questions
How long does it take to get approved for CPP disability?
Service Canada aims for a decision within 120 calendar days. It’s faster for a terminal illness (5 business days) or a grave condition (30 calendar days).
Can I work while on CPP disability?
Yes, a little. In 2026 you can earn up to $7,400 before tax without telling Service Canada. Above that you must report it, and it may affect your benefit.
Is CPP disability taxable?
Yes. Tax isn’t deducted automatically, so ask Service Canada to take tax off each month if you don’t want a bill at tax time. You’ll get a T4A(P) slip.
What happens to CPP disability at 65?
It changes to a CPP retirement pension automatically. You’ll also want to watch for your OAS letter.
Can I get CPP disability and ODSP or AISH at the same time?
You may be able to get both, but the provincial program may reduce its payment because of your CPP disability. In Ontario, being on CPP disability means you don’t need a separate ODSP disability review.
What if my CPP disability application is denied?
You can ask for a reconsideration. Send your request in writing within 90 days of getting your decision letter.