# Opening own business **URL:** \ **Category:** CPP Disability\ **Created:** [January 1, 2020, 3:11am UTC](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/t/opening-own-business/2513 "2020-01-01T03:11:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![NDancause](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce7236/32.png) [@NDancause](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/u/NDancause)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2020, 3:11am UTC](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/t/opening-own-business/2513/1 "2020-01-01T03:11:35Z")
What would happen, If I wanted to open my own business and contract out so I could have people work for me, while on CPP-D. I would do this because I’m not able to work full time and my health is too unpredictable for me to work regularly. If I opened up my company but kept my pay under the $5.500.00 cap, would my CPP-D be taken away from me? ---
**Author:** ![jammer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@jammer](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/u/jammer)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2020, 3:41pm UTC](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/t/opening-own-business/2513/2 "2020-01-01T15:41:12Z")
I don’t know. If you get paid market value for the work you do and come in under $5500 then I think it would be ok. You should really ask Service Canada. ---
**Author:** ![Elaine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/439d5e/32.png) [@Elaine](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/u/Elaine)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2020, 5:25am UTC](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/t/opening-own-business/2513/3 "2020-01-02T05:25:09Z")
> [@NDancause](#): > > If I opened up my company but kept my pay under the $5.500.00 cap, would my CPP-D be taken away from me? What do you mean by keeping your pay under $5,500? If the company is under your name then the profit will go to your bank account. You’ll have to declare it on your tax return. CRA sends all the information about your earnings to Service Canada. ---
**Author:** ![jammer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@jammer](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/u/jammer)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2020, 7:18am UTC](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/t/opening-own-business/2513/4 "2020-01-02T07:18:51Z")
The company could be incorporated so all the corporation’s income wouldn’t be on their tax return (it’d be a separate return). ---
**Author:** ![Elaine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/439d5e/32.png) [@Elaine](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/u/Elaine)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2020, 7:25pm UTC](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/t/opening-own-business/2513/5 "2020-01-03T19:25:05Z")
Do you think Service Canada won’t find out that the company belongs to this person? ---
**Author:** ![NDancause](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce7236/32.png) [@NDancause](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/u/NDancause)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2020, 7:51pm UTC](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/t/opening-own-business/2513/6 "2020-01-03T19:51:12Z")
I don’t know if I will be able to do much of the work, due to my illness and issues. So if I hire someone and pay them I’m not sure the first year or so it will make any money. I’m trying to get better and would like to support myself, but don’t want my CPP-D taken away if I can’t work and the business doesn’t earn any money for me to live off of. ---
**Author:** ![jammer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@jammer](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/u/jammer)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2020, 10:14pm UTC](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/t/opening-own-business/2513/7 "2020-01-03T22:14:06Z")
> [@Elaine](#): > > Do you think Service Canada won’t find out that the company belongs to this person? You’re allowed to own things. Actually working in the company might be the issue. I would phone Service Canada to find out how best to structure the company so as not to affect CPPD. I think it is likely you could own the company but not work for it and that would be ok. I would definitely talk to Service Canada. ---
**Author:** ![NDancause](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce7236/32.png) [@NDancause](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/u/NDancause)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2020, 10:38pm UTC](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/t/opening-own-business/2513/8 "2020-01-03T22:38:58Z")
I don’t want to be devious. I am not trying to hid anything from anyone. But if I can’t work, I don’t want my CPP-D taken from me. ---
**Author:** ![Elaine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/439d5e/32.png) [@Elaine](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/u/Elaine)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2020, 10:55pm UTC](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/t/opening-own-business/2513/9 "2020-01-03T22:55:53Z")
You should consult a lawyer or call Service Canada directly. ---
**Author:** ![Caro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@Caro](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/u/Caro)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2020, 11:39pm UTC](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/t/opening-own-business/2513/10 "2020-01-03T23:39:47Z")
If you decide to do it, I would keep very careful records of the hours you actually work. It’s definitely a risk. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Brannen](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.resolutelegal.ca/david_brannen/32/2_2.png) [@David\_Brannen](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/u/David_Brannen)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2020, 1:43pm UTC](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/t/opening-own-business/2513/11 "2020-01-07T13:43:53Z")
> [@NDancause](#): > > What would happen, If I wanted to open my own business and contract out so I could have people work for me, while on CPP-D. I would do this because I’m not able to work full time and my health is too unpredictable for me to work regularly. > > If I opened up my company but kept my pay under the $5.500.00 cap, would my CPP-D be taken away from me? If you are managing a business you own, then CPP disability can consider any income earned as self employment income. they will look at your capacity for work, not just whether you keep the money under $5500. Also, the idea of keeping the money under implies that you may be able to earn more, so again it would be a situation where they would look at your overall ability to earn income. If you are considering doing something like this, but very up front with CPPD about it. Don’t try to manipulate the finances in any way. They want people to try and work and would let you keep CPP disability benefits until it becomes evident you had the capacity to earn more than $16000 per year. * * * **David Brannen** Disability Lawyer with Resolute Legal The response posted above is based on the limited factual information made available and is not intended as a full and complete response to the question. The only reliable manner to obtain complete and adequate legal advice is to consult with a lawyer, fully explain your situation, and allow the lawyer enough time to research the applicable law and facts required to give an adequate opinion. The basic information provided above is intended as a public service only, a full one-on-one discussion with a lawyer should be done before taking any any action. The information posted on this forum is available to the viewing public and is not intended to create a lawyer client relationship with any person. If you want one-on-one advice, please [click here](https://www.resolutelegal.ca/free-consultation/) to request a free consultation **or call toll free 1-877-282-5188 to speak with a member with our disability claim support team.**