The Eligibility Criteria For Obtaining CPP Disability Benefits
Hitherto employed people in Canada in the age group of 18 to 65 years who have been disabled can obtain certain monetary benefits from the federal government there. The Human Resources Department of the federal government administers the CPP disability benefits program. CPP stands for Canada Pension Plan. The plan pays a monthly benefit to those individuals who have made contributions to the plan and who fit the eligibility criteria laid down by law for disability.
The eligibility criteria are detailed below under respective subheads.
Contributions to the Plan - A minimum qualifying period exists in respect of the date of initiation of disability. You must have been employed and made contributions to CPP in at least two out of the three (or alternatively at least five out of the ten) years preceding the date of disability. In case you became disabled after the 1st of January 1998, you must have made contributions to CPP in at least four years out of the six years preceding the date of disability.
During these periods of contributions to CPP, you must have earned at least ten per cent of the stipulated yearly maximum pensionable earnings (YMPE). YMPE is an amount that changes every year. The YMPE enforced in your case as the eligibility criteria is the one applicable in the year that you apply for disability benefits. It may happen that you may have somehow missed the contribution dates. In this case, you can still qualify for the disability benefits if you can prove that you were disabled before the respective contribution dates. Alternatively, you may have met the criteria for contributions to CPP on the date of disability. In this case, you can still qualify for disability benefits even if you failed to apply for them. However, in case you have not made enough contributions to CPP, you will not be able to obtain disability benefits. This is regardless of the other eligibility criteria towards disability that you meet. Disability definition - The enacted legislation takes into consideration two important factors that serve as eligibility criteria for your qualifying for benefits. These two factors are based on your meeting the defined meaning of disability. The defined meaning considers you qualified for disability if it is both severe and prolonged. According to section 42 (2) (a) (i) of the law, a disability is considered as severe, if the individual becomes incapable of regularly engaging in any substantial gainful occupation. The prime health related factor that decides the severity of your disability is your medical condition certified by an independent qualified doctor. According to section 42 (2) (a) (ii) of the law, a disability is considered as prolonged if there are greater chances of its continuing for a long and indefinite period or if there are chances of death resulting from it. In case you qualify for CPP disability benefits, apply for them, and receive them, such earnings will be subject to taxes. You can meet any suitable attorney or lawyer in your area to know about the exact tax implications.
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