How to appeal a Canada Pension Plan decision: Appeal Division

If you disagree with the decision of the General Division you can appeal to the Appeal Division of the Social Security Tribunal (SST). You need to ensure that the SST receives your appeal within 90-calendar days of receiving the General Division’s decision. For example, if you received your General Division decision on September 4 2013, the SST must receive your appeal by December 2, 2013.

Your appeal must be in writing. An intention to appeal by phone will not be accepted.

Access to an appeal to this level is not automatic. You must first obtain leave (permission) to appeal.

If your appeal was summarily dismissed by the CPP General Division, permission is not required.

There are three ways to start an appeal

  1. Fill out the Application Requesting Leave to Appeal to the Appeal Division form (PDF format) on our website following the attached instructions. Print the completed form, sign it and mail or fax it to the SST.
  2. Print out the Application Requesting Leave to Appeal to the Appeal Division form (PDF format), complete and sign it following the attached instructions and mail or fax it to the SST. If you cannot print the form, contact the SST and it will send you a copy with instructions.
  3. Write the SST a letter of appeal. Be sure that you include all the information that is required on the form.

The SST accepts faxed copies. If you send your form by fax, you do not need to send a copy by mail. The SST will confirm the receipt of your form.

Things to keep in mind when filing your request to appeal

Completing the form

Be certain to complete all required fields on the Application Requesting Leave to Appeal to the Appeal Division form (PDF format). The SST will not register the application until it has received all the required information. If the form is incomplete, the SST will return it to you with a request to complete and return it by a certain date. If the SST receives the information after the 90-day appeal period, you will need to request and obtain an extension of time (see below). If the SST does not receive a completed form by the specified date, the SST will not move forward with your appeal.

Additional information

It is not necessary to have all the information (other than the required information) to support your appeal before you submit your Application Requesting Leave to Appeal to the Appeal Division form. We will give you a chance to provide more information at a later date.

Representation

You can present your own case or you can arrange for someone such as a friend, a family member, a lawyer or other professional person to help you. If you decide to have someone represent you, you will need to complete, sign and submit an Authorization to Disclose form (PDF format) giving that person permission to act on your behalf. You are responsible for all costs related to having a representative.

Extensions

If your appeal request is made after the 90-day appeal period, you may ask the SST for an extension based on the criteria provided in the Application Requesting Leave to Appeal to the Appeal Division form (PDF format). It is important to request your extension as soon as possible. If the Tribunal Member denies your request for an extension, you will lose your right to appeal the decision.

Permission to appeal

If the Tribunal Member does not grant you permission to appeal, the SST will send you the decision as well as information on how to contest the decision.

If the Tribunal Member grants you permission to appeal, the SST will send you information on next steps.

For more information about the SST’s appeal process, please visit the Appeal process section of this website.