Entitlement proceedings, time limits and issuing of decisions

The process of assessing disability begins upon submission of a pension application. During this process, the applicant’s attending physician prepares and issues medical documentation regarding the individual’s health status for the purposes of the CSSA. The assessment of whether the applicant is disabled and the degree of disability is conducted solely by a medical assessor from the Medical Assessment Institute (part of the CSSA). The applicant’s personal attendance is generally not required, and the assessment may take place in their absence. The need for a medical assessment in the applicant’s presence is decided by the medical assessor based on an evaluation of the available documentation.

Important: The opinion is one of the supporting documents for the decision on entitlement to the disability pension (It is not the decision on disability pension and there is no remedy against it) and is therefore sent to the applicant during the proceedings. The entitlement to the disability pension shall not automatically arise with a recognized disability, any and all of the conditions laid down by law must be fulfilled for the entitlement to arise.

The statutory period for processing is 90 days.

The CSSA will send the applicant a written decision on the award of the pension. The decision will indicate both the date from which the pension has been granted and the amount. The so-called personal record of pension insurance with a summary of the insurance periods and earnings included in the pension will be attached to the decision.

Where the conditions for the pension entitlement have not been met, a decision rejecting the application will be sent to the applicant that will specify the grounds for rejection.