Can I work or go to school if I’m getting CPP disability benefits?
While you're getting , you may be able to:
- do volunteer work
- go back to school
- take a re-training program arranged by CPP
Going back to work
You can earn a certain amount of money without losing your disability benefits. You must tell CPP if you go back to work full time, or earn more than 10% of the year's pensionable earnings, rounded down to the nearest $100.
In 2020, the year's pensionable earnings amount was $58,700. So you can earn up to $5,870. This amount changes each year.
CPP may decide to review your benefits when you tell them you've started working. If CPP reviews your benefits, it may suspend your CPP disability benefit payments until the review is completed.
If you make more than what the CPP allows or if CPP decides that your work shows you're no longer disabled, you may stop getting benefits or have to pay back some of the money.
If you do lose your , you may lose ODSP benefits. This can happen if you got ODSP because you were eligible for CPP disability benefits.
You may be able to get help to return to work through the CPP's Vocational Rehabilitation Program.
Going to school
If you go back to school full time, you need to tell CPP. This may cause CPP to review your benefits. If CPP reviews your benefits, it may suspend your CPP disability benefit payments until the review is completed.
if you go back to school full time, you may lose your benefits if CPP decides that going to school means you are able to work.
