About the Canadian Disability Tax Credit (DTC)

The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is a federal government credit that reduces the income tax a person pays. Someone can apply if they OR a family member they support have restrictions (either mental or physical) in daily activities.

For example, if someone cannot see, has difficulty getting dressed, is hard of hearing, or uses insulin for diabetes — they may be eligible for the DTC.

If a person was eligible but never applied, the DTC can be claimed up to 10 years back. That could mean getting a refund ($) from the Canada Revenue Agency.

Other benefits

Even if someone doesn’t pay income tax, the DTC may be worth applying for. It’s like a “gateway” to other benefits. If someone’s approved for the DTC, they’re also approved for:

• Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), a longterm savings plan you can open if you are 59 and under. The government offers up to $90,000 to put towards future savings if you open the plan at ages 49 and under
• Canada Disability Benefit, (coming 2025), which can give up to $2,400 a year for people with disabilities with modest incomes
• Canada Workers Benefit Disability Supplement, which can grant you up to $737
• Child Disability Benefit, which can grant parent with modest income who receive the Canada Child Benefit and additional $3,173 if their child has the DTC
• Canada Dental Care Plan, which provides dental coverage for individuals without existing coverage

For a summary of these benefits, see our infographic.