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Navigating Disability with Me

Navigating Disability with Me

By: Meghan & Pam
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 A conversational podcast that empowers Canadians with disabilities (and those supporting them) by cutting through the complexity of the system. Featuring authentic lived experiences and insights, it brings together essential resources and real voices to guide, inform, and inspire2025
Episodes
  • Episode 11: Provincial Financial Support Programs

    Episode 11: Provincial Financial Support Programs
    Feb 14 2026
    Provincial Financial Support Programs (PWD) A brief review of the provincial/territorial financial assistance programs, focussing on British Columbia. Please note that we found more information about the Person with Disabilities Medical Services Only program after we recorded. See link #10 below. Feedback: navigatingdisabilitywithme@gmail.com Links: BC Person with Disabilities (PWD government site): https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/services-for-people-with-disabilities/disability-assistance How to contact the BC Ministry re PWD: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/income-assistance/access-services Disability Alliance of BC (DABC): http://www.disabilityalliancebc.org DABC PWD help/worksheets: https://disabilityalliancebc.org/publications/publications-bc-disability-benefits-help-sheets/ Ask an Advocate: https://askanadvocate.ca/assistance-programs/disability-assistance/person-with-disabilities-pwd/Sleepytime podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wegpF4BHu5dQG7sTg1Cz9?si=2ET6PUfbSAeIc42RGq14jwExemptions from B.C.'s PWD asset calculation: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/eligibility/assets-and-exemptionsSPARC (Disabled parking pass): https://www.sparc.bc.ca/BC Ferries Accessibility Discount: https://www.bcferries.com/accessibilityMedical Services Only - This is information found AFTER we recorded. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/health-supplements-and-programs/medical-services-only Tips: All provinces and territories have provincially based financial assistance programs for disabled people. In B.C. it's called Person with Disabilities (PWD).Reach out to an advocate for help with applying - DABC etc.Reach out to a financial planner. Look for someone with knowledge of PWD/CPPD/RDSP etc.The benefit varies greatly across provinces and territories. There are different benefits and coverages too - housing supplements, nutritional supplements etc.There are caps on income if you're receiving this benefit. How much you're allowed to earn varies across Canada. BC PWD specific tips Long term disability may be your biggest contributor to your income as compared to PWD.PWD is not strictly additive to CPPD - there may be a cap to your total income. You CAN collect both but it's likely that some or all money from one of the programs could be clawed back,PWD comes with additional benefits such as extended medical benefits, transit pass/transportation supplement, nutritional supplement, guide dog supplement etc.Disability Alliance of BC has lots of info sheets and work sheets about PWD (see links above).Financial qualification, generally for PWD: asset total allowance $100 000 for a single person. Primary residence, one car, basic household items value exempt, some trusts exempt, RDSP exempt. For a couple (with BOTH people on PWD) it's $200 000. With children, or other circumstances, rules vary.BC says if you're around (slightly above) these marks to apply anyway as you may soon drop below the threshold.Per Gov.bc.ca the RESP is exempt from the asset calculation (looked up post recording).Health and disability qualifications: 1) Have a physical or mental disability that significantly restricts your ability to perform daily living activities. And 2) Must need the help of a person, device or animal for the activities of daily living.The form: Section for you to fill in, then a Doctor/Nurse Practitioner section, then an "Assessor" - a medical professional of some sort (there's a list).If your application is accepted, there may be a review every couple of years.If you're already on CPPD there is an accelerated form for PWD. PWD may open doors to applying for other programs such as SPARC (disabled parking pass), ICBC, BC Ferries etc. CPPD also is usually accepted as proof of disability wherever PWD is accepted.Some private companies like Telus accept PWD to get their disabled discounts. CPPD is also usually accepted.Medical Services Only: VERY UNCLEAR TO US! No financial benefit as other income too high but gets PWD designation and the additional benefits such as medical benefits, housing supplements, guide dog supplement, transportation supplement etc. Note that we found more information on this AFTER we recorded (see link #10 above).You must apply for Income Assistance then mark Persons with Disabilities.The Ministry should then contact you, assess you and then send you an application. Usually takes 2-6 months to get accepted. You can appeal if you're rejected (do so quickly). Keep a copy of your PWD acceptance letter as you'll need it to apply for many other programs and discounts.
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    37 mins
  • Episode 10: CPP-D Part 3 - The Appeals Process

    Episode 10: CPP-D Part 3 - The Appeals Process
    Feb 1 2026

    The Appeals - CPP D part 3

    Lots of banter at the start! Episode (on topic information) starts at 7:40 mark.

    Feedback: navigatingdisabilitywithme@gmail.com

    Links:

    1. CPP Benefits - Request a reconsideration: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/request-reconsideration.html
    2. Social Security Tribunal CPP-D Appeals Process at a Glance (this has the algorithm we keep talking about): https://www.sst-tss.gc.ca/en/your-appeal/canada-pension-plan-disability-appeals-process-glance
    3. Disability Alliance of BC: www.disabilityalliancebc.org
    4. North Shore Disability Resource Centre: www.nsdrc.org
    5. My Service Canada sign in: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/my-account.html

    Tips:

    1. Expect to be rejected on your first application as only 40-45% of people are approved for CPP-D on their first try. Don't let this stop you!
    2. With every step of the appeals process a significant percentage of people get approved.
    3. Top reasons for rejection: Disability is not deemed "severe or prolonged", Insufficient medical evidence, Failure to meet CPP contribution requirements, Late application, Incomplete application.
    4. Social Security Tribunal CPP-D Appeals Process at a Glance (link above) walks you through the entire appeals process, with timelines.
    5. First appeal (step 1) is within Service Canada/CPPD itself. 40% of people who are rejected pursue this step. 35% of those who appeal to Service Canada are then approved.
    6. Second appeal must be done within 90 days of Service Canada refusing your first appeal. This is the Appeal to the General Division of the Social Security Tribunal. 45% of people who fail their first appeal will move to this step. This step (step 2) can take over a year. 65% of those who go to the Social Security Tribunal were approved for CPPD. Another 45% are successful after appealing the rejection of the Social Security Tribunal (step 3).
    7. If you're refused CPPD after working through all the steps at the Social Security Tribunal the last step is to take it to court.
    8. Reach out to disability advocates such as The Disability Alliance of BC or The North Shore Resources Centre (or whatever is local to you). Many have mentors who can help walk you through applications and appeals.
    9. My Service Canada (sign in to your account) has a calculator for how much you're likely to be paid on CPPD.
    10. Your CPPD is likely to be clawed back by any long term disability benefit you're receiving. Remember that the protection of your pension, the endorsement by the federal government of canada as a disabled person, and many other benefits still make this worthwhile to pursue.
    11. CPPD is taxable. Ask them to take taxes off (in My Service Canada), or save the money to pay back at tax time.
    12. There are small increases in CPPD annually for inflation (like 2%).
    13. You are expected to stay on CPPD unless a very significant change/improvement happens to your health.
    14. For 2025 you could earn $7600 in extra income (not including LTD).
    15. You must tell the government about any work/schooling/volunteering that goes on for more than 15 hours/week for more than 4 months.
    16. You must inform the government of changes in personal life such as changes with children, as you are likely getting a CPPD benefit for each child.
    17. When you turn 65 CPPD turns automatically into a regular CPP pension. The amount you receive will change.
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    31 mins
  • Episode 9: CPP-D Part 2 - Fun with Forms (The Application)

    Episode 9: CPP-D Part 2 - Fun with Forms (The Application)
    Jan 17 2026
    Fun with Forms: The Application Form CPP-D part 2 where we go page by page through the Canadian Pension Plan Disability application form! Feedback: navigatingdisabilitywithme@gmail.com Links: Canada.ca - this is where you apply online but it's tricky to find the forms. Go to Pensions/CPP link, not Disability Benefit (that takes you to the Canadian Disability Benefit, the $200/month benefit for very low income Canadians, not to CPP-D). Scroll down to Disability sectionHere you'll end up going in a bit of a loop because if you hit "Apply" it'll loop you back to the main page. So hit "SIgn in to MSCA" button in upper rightSign into (or register) your My Service Canada Account (MSCA). Need SIN/ability to sign in with bank etc. In BC and AB you can sign in with the provincial "card" (BC Services Card) Or can do the paper application. Either: ISP 1151 if disabled https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp-disability-benefit/apply.html or ISP 2530A if terminally ill https://catalogue.servicecanada.gc.ca/apps/EForms/pdf/en/ISP-2530A.pdf Doctor/PCP completes separate medical form ISP 2519 if disabled https://catalogue.servicecanada.gc.ca/apps/EForms/pdf/en/ISP-2519.pdfISP 2530B if terminally ill https://catalogue.servicecanada.gc.ca/apps/EForms/pdf/en/ISP-2530B.pdf Even if doing an online application you must do a paper consent form, link is on the first page of the application website. https://catalogue.servicecanada.gc.ca/apps/EForms/pdf/en/ISP-2502.pdf Tips: 3 conditions must be met to qualify for CPP-D: Must be under the age of 65Must have made the minimum contributions to CPPMust have a mental or physical health condition/s that prevents you from regularly working any job. Must be severe and prolonged. Separate forms for terminal illness (see above in Links sections).Patient section (what we're talking about today) and Medical Form (to be filled in by doctor/primary care provider).Service Canada will pay $85 to medical professional filling the medical form in, you're responsible for the balance to the doctor of whatever they charge for the form. Don't wait for the doctor to have completed their form to send in yours.Quebec Pension Plan - separate but similar. Link on application page. This could impact you even if you no longer live there.Save your work as you go! It may disappear on you if you don't save frequently.There are regional offices for sending your paper form/consent form to. Addresses listed in the application form.Even if doing the online application you must do a paper consent form, link is on the first page of application website. https://catalogue.servicecanada.gc.ca/apps/EForms/pdf/en/ISP-2502.pdf Pace yourself, this took Meghan 5 weeks with breaks. Paper application is 28 pages. Can add extra pages. Fill in SIN at the top of every page.There's a checklist at the end of the application. Consider following it as you go through.Consider having a friend read through your finished application to make sure it's complete, clear and accurate.Send copies of any documentation you're sending in.Keep copies or screenshots of your completed application for your own records.Consider sending paper application in by registered mail for security and reassurance of receival.Questionaire: Basic personal info, time to callContributions to CPPMarital status questions Foreign work questionsChildren - very important as they seem to prioritize those with kids. Emphasize that you have kids every time you talk to Service Canada.Primary Care giver questions, family allowance questions etc as mentioned in Ep 8Asks about medical and physical status, specific tests, dates, locations, doctors. GP/PCP may be able to help with these details in your chart.Asks about specific meds, doses, treatments, outcomes etc.Asks about disability benefits you're already receiving. You must allow your LTD company (or whoever else is paying you) to communicate with Service Canada or that may impact your application.Allow for authorization for your LTD company to communicate with and send your medical info fto Service Canada.Reimbursement of benefits to insurance company - very important to allow this or you could be left with a big tax bill if Service Canada gives you a big back payment. This money would then include a backpayment to your insurance company. If it doesn't go straight to the insurance company then you will have to pay tax on the giant lump sum!A 4 page quiz (Functional Assessment) about tasks and how well you can do them. Important point - answer these as though it's your worst day. Rated on a scale. Use the essay sections! Look at the examples.Doctor/PCP questions - dates, reasons, other specialists with first and last dates.Asks about working history and employer - job titles, duties, datesEI questionsEducation and job trainingChildren - benefits, parenting time etc. You get a top up on CPPD for each child. Asks for details of each childRules around volunteering, working or attending...
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    42 mins
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