How To Write a CPP Disability Appeal Letter

If your CPP Disability application has been denied, don’t give up just yet, as you can appeal Service Canada’s decision and go through the CPP Disability Reconsideration process.

The CPP Disability Reconsideration request is the first step in the 3-level CPP Disability appeal process. But in order to start the appeal you must first notify Service Canada in writing within 90 days from the day you received the CPP Disability denial letter that you would like them to reconsider their decision.

This initial reconsideration request letter is “technical” in nature and is only meant to inform them that you would like to appeal their CPP Disability decision and that you will be gathering and sending in new supporting information for their review.

If you would like to learn more about this initial letter you can read, review and download a sample of Request For Reconsideration.

Now that you notified Service Canada that you want to appeal their decision you must prepare your submission.

As part of your CPP Disability Appeal submission, the CPP Disability Appeal Letter is the document you need to write in your own writing explaining the reasons for your appeal, provide detailed information on your condition, how you are unable to work at all and ask for Service Canada reconsideration.

The following is a step by step guide and sample of a CPP Disability appeal letter to help you prepare your CPP Disability appeal submission:

Provide Your Personal Information

As we had mentioned in the CPP Disability Appeal Process article,(hyperlink) it is utmost important that you provide your correct and updated personal information, as we have seen many applicants neglected this and missed important messages from Service Canada.

• Your Full Name
• Your SIN
• Your Address
• Your Phone number

State That You Are Appealing Service Canada’s Decision

To make things easy for both parties, you need to be clear at the very beginning of the letter. State that you are appealing Service Canada’s decision regarding your CPP Disability application and that you have included additional supporting documents.

“Dear Sir/Madam:

Re: Denial of Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits

I am writing to appeal my denial of Canadian Pension Plan Disability benefits. I have included additional information about my arthritis and have attached updated and detailed medical records from my family doctors and specialized treating physicians.”

Provide An Overview Of Your Disability

Give enough background so that Service Canada understands how your symptoms developed and have worsened over time. If available, you can correct any inaccuracies Service Canada made when they first made a decision on your application. This doesn’t have to be lengthy, but one or two paragraphs should be sufficient.

“I was first diagnosed with arthritis 5 years ago, in September 2014. I continued working as a restaurant manager at the restaurant where I had been working at for over 8 years and received initial treatments from my doctor. However, the pain and swelling increased to the point that I had to leave my job in August 2015. At that point, I found it difficult to dress myself and manipulate small objects, like socks, buttons or zippers. Because work is important to me, I took a job as a cashier at a local Shopper’s Drug Mart, but by June 2016 the stiffness in my joints had spread to my knees and feet. I am unable to stand for long periods of time, bend down or lift heavy goods as a result.”

Describe How You Are Unable To Work

This is the most vital part of the appeal letter, include a paragraph explaining how your disability prevents you from working any job—not just your old job. Service Canada emphasizes strongly on the severity and longevity of your conditions, as well as how it has affected your employability.

“Due to my developing condition, I am dealing with physical pain on a daily basis. I also suffer from mobility difficulties because of the same problem. I am forced to walk very slowly, and at a deep stood. I need to take breaks every 10 minutes and I also have a hard time getting up from a seated position. Apart from it, I also have to sit in a specific position so that I don’t irritate the nerves and suppress any muscles. As a result of my condition, I was unable to commit to a regular schedule of a gainful job. “

Summarize Your Supporting Documents

Explain what information you have included and why it is relevant. Point out whether this is new information that Service Canada did not consider when they reviewed your initial CPP Disability application.

“I have attached updated medical records and letters from my doctors which support my appeal. The aforementioned documents show that my condition has worsened since I first applied. My treating physician has also written a letter explaining my swelling and pain, and how my advanced arthritis has limited my movement and my speed. Since you did not have this information when you first made a decision on my case, I thought it would be relevant and helpful this time.”

Conclude Your CPP Disability Appeal Letter

In this concluding paragraph, ask that Service Canada reconsider your claim and review all of the enclosed supporting files that you have submitted with this letter. Don’t forget to include your name and contact information underneath your signature.

“I truly hope that your office will diligently consider this letter, as well as the enclosed additional supporting documents I have gathered from my treating health practitioners in deciding my CPP Disability benefits.
If you require any other information to further assess my case, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at my contact information provided below.
Sincerely,”

We hope you find this article helpful in writing your own CP Disability Appeal Letter. Once you have finished writing your appeal letter, you can now review all of your supporting documents and submit the package to one of these Service Canada offices in your area, which can be found here.

If you require further assistance in appealing your CPP Disability, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 1-844-800-6020 or visit our website for detailed information on CPP Disability benefits and applications.

DISCLAIMER:

The following CPP Disability Appeal letter is written with the purpose to illustrate how the letter should be written and what information to include in order to increase your chances of winning your appeal.

Please note, each person and each CPP Disability case is unique therefore you should consider this sample letter as a suggestion only as it is not an official document or template and is presented for educational purposes only. However, we hope you have a look at the sample and take notes of the key elements to include in your own letter.

We highly recommend that you be very clear, straightforward and truthful with your CPP Disability claim and your condition.

CPP Disability Appeal Letter Sample

Your Full name

Your SIN

Your Address

Your Phone number

Dear Sir/Madam:

Re: Denial of Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits

I am writing to appeal my denial of Canadian Pension Plan Disability benefits. I have included additional information about my arthritis and have attached updated and detailed medical records from my family doctors and specialized treating physicians.

I was first diagnosed with Osteoarthritis 5 years ago, in September 2014. I continued working as a restaurant manager at the restaurant where I had been working at for over 8 years and received initial treatments from my doctor- a rheumatologist. However, the pain and swelling increased to the point that I had to leave my job in August 2015. At that point, I found it difficult to dress myself and manipulate small objects, like socks, buttons or zippers. Other daily activities such as laundry, cooking or cleaning around the house became such challenging tasks for me.

I enjoy working and contributing to the community so I took a job as a cashier at a local Shopper’s Drug Mart, but by June 2016 the stiffness in my joints had spread to my knees and feet. I am unable to stand for long periods of time, bend down or lift heavy goods as a result.

Due to my developing condition, I am dealing with physical pain on a daily basis. I also suffer from mobility difficulties because of the same problem. I am forced to walk very slowly, and at a deep stood. I need to take breaks every 10 minutes and I also have a hard time getting up from a seated position. Apart from it, I also have to sit in a specific position so that I don’t irritate the nerves or suppress any muscles. As a result of my condition, I had to quit my most recent job. Up until now, I am unable to commit to a regular schedule of a gainful job.

I have attached updated medical records and letters from my doctors which support my appeal. The aforementioned documents show that my condition has worsened since I first applied. My treating physician has also written a letter explaining my swelling and pain, and how my advanced osteoarthritis has limited my movement and my speed; and she does not believe that I would be able to return to the workforce at all. Since you did not have this information when you first made a decision on my case, I thought it would be relevant and helpful this time.

I truly hope that your office will diligently consider this letter, as well as the enclosed additional supporting documents I have gathered from my treating health practitioners in deciding my CPP Disability benefits.

Sincerely,

Your Name

Your Signature

Your Address

Your Phone number

At Disability Credit Canada, we take pride in helping disabled Canadians claim CPP Disability tax credit. Check out our other Resources

1. 
   
   1. Long Term Disability Claims and Appeal 
   2. Common Medical Conditions Eligible for Long Term Disability Benefits
   3. CPP Disability Benefits Application Guide
   4. CPP Disability Denial and Appeal Overview
   5. CPP Disability Request For Reconsideration
   6. CPP Disability Appeal to Social Security Tribunal – General Division
   7. Top Reasons CPP Disability Applicants Are Denied