Some basic information about (CPP) Disability Benefits criteria:

• Disability with respect to CPP Disability Benefits means a person is deemed disabled when s/he is determined to have a severe and prolonged physical or mental impairment as described in their criteria.  
  
• "A disability is severe only if by reason thereof the person in respect of whom the determination is made incapable of regularly pursuing any substantially gainful employment."   
  
• "A disability is prolonged only if it is determined in prescribed manner that the disability is likely to be long continued and of indefinite duration or  is likely to  result in death."
  
• Addition criteria for CPP Disability Benefits include being between the ages of 18 and 65, and meeting the minimum contribution requirements or the minimum qualifying period.

Applying for CPP Disability Benefits

1. If your doctor advises you that your are too ill to continue working, you should immediately order a CPP Disability Application Kit. 
   
   •  You may do this by phoning 1-800-277-9914 (English), or 1-800-277-9915   (French). 
   
   •  Have your social security number (SIN) available.  
   
   •  If you have only contributed to the Quebec Pension Plan, or if you contributed to both plans but reside in Quebec, you should then contact: La Régie des rentes du Québec, P.O. Box 5200, Quebec, Quebec G1K 7S9.
   
2. When you are ill, applying for CPP disability benefits can be overwhelming.  To assist you in this, the National ME/FM Action Network has developed Guidelines to walk you step-by-step through this process.  We offer you our Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Disability Benefits Guidelines for a nominal fee of $7.00.  See resources for ordering the guidelines.
3. You may download or view the CPP disability forms here
   
4. For those in litigation, view our IME and  Legal Issues sections.
5. Case Law (legal judgments) can be found in our Legal Library.
   

Legal Roster
The National ME/FM Action Network has a Legal Roster of lawyers and legal advocates familiar with FMS and ME/CFS cases.  Should you require the use of a legal professional, we can usually advise of one near you. 

Contact Lydia Neilson by email or phone 618-829-6667 for further assistance.

View Resources

Articles

• Parliamentary Committee Review CPP

• CPP Adjudication Tool