How does the Canada Pension Plan disability Social Security Tribunal work?

If you are not satisfied with reconsideration’s decision, you can make an appeal to the General Division of the Social Security Tribunal of Canada. The Social Security Tribunal of Canada is an administrative tribunal whose mandate is to make quasi-judicial decisions related to Canada Pension Plan and other federal government benefits programs. The appeal must be made within 90 days of receiving a denial from reconsideration.

The Social Security Tribunal will answer the appeal with a letter containing a deadline for both you and CPP to send relevant documentation. You should send documentation that supports your disability claim, including reports from your doctor, physiotherapist evaluations, etc. This includes any new documentation not sent previously with your initial application to CPP and reconsideration.

If the Social Security Tribunal determines that the appeal has “no reasonable chance of success”, the appeal will be denied, and a hearing will not be held. This decision can be appealed to the Social Security Tribunal of Canada’s Appeal Division. Otherwise, a hearing will be set.

Hearings can be conducted in-person, in writing, by telephone or video conference.

After the hearing, if you are not satisfied with the General Division’s decision, you can appeal it to the Appeal Division.