CPP Disability Benefit - Exceptions
If you have not contributed to the CPP for enough years, there are certain provisions which may help you qualify for a CPP disability benefit if one or more of the following conditions apply to you:
- I stayed at home and raised my children
- I applied too late for a CPP disability benefit
- I am separated or divorced
- I lived and worked in another country
- I was physically or mentally unable to apply
I stayed at home and raised my children
You left your job, or reduced the time you worked so you could care for children under seven years of age (born after December 31, 1958). If so, there is a provision in the CPP legislation which allows this period of time to be removed or "dropped out" when calculating your contributions to the CPP. Excluding this period of low or no earnings can help you become eligible for a CPP disability benefit. It can also increase the amount of your benefit. HRDC will then look at your remaining CPP contributions to determine eligibility. This is called the "child rearing drop out" provision (CRDO). To be considered for the CRDO, you must fill out an application form which is included in the CPP Disability application kit. You can now print the, Child Rearing Dropout Provision form. Or, contact us to get the application form or if you have any questions.
I applied too late for a CPP disability benefit
You are applying for a CPP disability benefit, but stopped working so long ago that you no longer have CPP contributions in four of the last six years. If you meet all the other conditions of eligibility, you may still be eligible for a benefit. This is called the late applicant provision. As long as you had enough years of CPP contributions when you first became severely disabled, and as long as you are considered to be continuously disabled (as defined by CPP legislation) from that date up to the present time, you may be eligible. Please contact us for further information.
I am separated or divorced
You and your spouse or common-law partner are separated or divorced. When you were together, you shared the building of your assets and entitlements, including what are called "CPP credits". When your relationship ended, the CPP credits which you built up during the time you lived together can be divided equally between you. This provision under the CPP legislation is called "credit splitting". Splitting CPP credits can protect you if you were the lower wage earner during the years of living together. This may result in additional CPP credits which may make you eligible for the benefit, or you could be eligible for a larger benefit amount, once your application is approved.
- In the case of a legal divorce or annulment that took place on or after January 1, 1987, simply contact us to advise that the divorce occurred. HRDC will send you a form requesting some specific information related to the divorce or annulment.
- In all other cases, such as legal or common-law separation, contact HRDC to obtain an application form to request credit splitting , or you can print the Canada Pension Plan Credit Split form. There is a time limit for applying if you are in one of the following two situations:
- You are a legally separated individual whose spouse or common-law partner has died. Credit splitting upon divorce or separation must be applied for within three years of your spouse or common-law partner's date of death.
- You are separated from a common-law union (which has lasted one or more years). You must apply for credit splitting within four years of your separation.
I lived and worked in another country
If you lived and worked and contributed to a social security program in a country with which Canada has a social security agreement (see International Benefits), their credits may help qualify you under CPP's contributory requirements. However, once you become eligible, the amount CPP will pay you is based only on actual earnings and contributions to either the CPP or Quebec Pension Plan 
. CPP credits might also help you qualify for a foreign pension. This is done by adding periods of contributions to the CPP and/or Quebec Pension Plan with periods of coverage under the social security programs of other countries. Contact Income Security Programs for more information.
I was physically or mentally unable to apply
You were incapable of forming or expressing the intent to make an application for a CPP disability benefit, e.g. coma or Alzheimer's disease. You were also incapable of asking someone else to apply on your behalf. This is called the incapacity provision. You must apply after you have regained the capacity to do so - and within a year after you regained capacity. This affects situations in 1991 or later. Contact us for more information.
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