Application Forms Explained

Your application for CPP disability benefits is made up of several forms. There are forms for you to fill out and forms for your doctor(s) to fill out.

Lets begin with the forms you will have to fill out:

1 - Application for Disability Benefits - This is the main application form. It asks for basic information about you - name, birthday, SIN, address, children, and any past CPP applications. You must complete the entire form. The information is mandatory.

2 - Questionnaire for Disability Benefits - This form, along with your doctor's medical report, are the two of the most important parts of your application. Give them special attention.

You will see that the Questionnaire for Disability Benefits focuses on your work history, medical conditions, and medical treatment you have received. The CPP administration uses information from this form to determine if and when you became unable to work because of a disability.

You will see that parts 18-22 of the form ask you to give examples of how your medical condition affects your daily activities and work. I cannot stress how important it is for you to describe your restrictions and limitations, rather than simply state you have a medical condition (i.e., chronic pain, heart condition, slipped disc, etc).

In addition to the application and disability questionnaire, you will need to get your doctor(s) to submit a medical report(s).

3 -  Medical Report - You must get your family physician to fill out a CPP medical report form. If you have seen other medical specialists (e.g., psychiatrist, orthopaedic surgeon, etc), they may have to fill out a medical report form as well.

These medical reports are absolutely critical to the success of your application. It is important that your doctor(s) understand how your condition affects your ability to work. Tell your doctor about specific examples of how your condition affects your ability to work.

CPP publishes a guidebook for doctors. I have mixed feelings about this Guidebook. In my opinion, the Guidebook misstates how Courts have interpreted "disability" as defined by the CPP legislation. The Guidebook's definition of disability is much more restrictive, than is actually the case. This may cause your doctor to believe you are not "disabled enough" to qualify for CPP disability benefits, when in fact, you would qualify for benefits.

While not mandatory, there are several other forms you will want to submit depending on your circumstances:

4 - Authorization to disclose Information/Consent for Medical Evaluation - by signing this for you do two things. First, you authorize the CPP Administration to collect information from your health professionals, hospitals, your employer, the provincial government, and educational institutions you have attended. Second, you consent to the CPP Administration requiring you to undergo medical evaluation by a physician of their choosing.

5 - Child Rearing Dropout Form - If you had to leave work in order to care for your children, then it is extremely important that you complete this form and submit it with your application. Remember, no matter how disabled you are, you will only qualify for disability benefits if you made enough contributions in the years leading up to your disability. This form helps you by giving you "credit" for time you spent looking after children.

6 - Consent to Communicate Information to a Representative - This form authorizes the CPP administration to communicate directly with some you have chosen to represent you (lawyer, family member).

7 - Application for Statement of Contributions to CPP - This form directs the CPP administration to provide you with its records on your past payments to the CPP program.