Common misconceptions

I thought the DTC was only for individuals who are bedridden. Will my patient qualify?

The DTC is not based on diagnosis, so people with many various disabilities can qualify. Some people who may not identify as having a disability (e.g. those with diabetes) may still qualify for this tax credit.

My patient doesn’t work so would not benefit from the DTC.

Even if your patient doesn’t work, they would still benefit from the DTC because there are so many federal programs attached to the DTC that can add hundreds up to tens of thousands of dollars for your patients’ immediate financial relief as well as their financial futures.

My patient is too young to qualify for the DTC

You can apply for the DTC at any age. In fact, applying for the DTC early can allow patients to take advantage of benefits like the Registered Disability Savings Plan—a plan that allows access to up to $90,000 in government grants and bonds to save for someone’s financial future. When filling out an application for a child, it can be difficult to understand if someone is restricted in performing activities because of their age or because of a medical condition. Consider how a child’s functionality compares to same age peers and if they are expected to reach developmental milestones.

My patient was denied the DTC so they do not qualify

If your patient was denied the DTC, that may not mean they do not qualify. Sometimes the CRA is simply looking for more specific examples of someone’s daily restrictions. You may wish to speak to your patient to tell you how they are specifically impacted by their condition(s) daily. Your patient can use our My DTC tool to prepare materials that will be helpful to the application.