Eligible Disabilities for DTC
Do You Qualify?
It’s a matter of quality of life (QOL).
For example, here is a list of common conditions that often affect quality of life enough to qualify.
These conditions may qualify for the Canadian Disability Tax Credit and the Child Disability Benefit.
Eligible Disabilities
Did you know half a million eligible Canadians don’t claim their rightful disability benefits?
In addition to being put off by the CRA’s complex application processes, many Canadians don’t realize that their chronic condition meets the threshold for the Canadian Disability Tax Credit (DTC).
Claiming your rightful Canadian disability benefits isn’t necessarily tied to the name of your condition, but how severely it affects your day-to-day life.
That means severe cases of otherwise commonplace conditions can qualify, while mild cases of less common ones may not. In order to be eligible to qualify:
- Your condition causes severe physical and/or mental impairment.
- Your impairment has persisted or will persist for at least one year.
- A medical practitioner (including but not limited to your family doctor) must certify the severity of your impairment on your Disability Tax Credit application.
Disabilities That May Qualify for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
| Disability | How It May Qualify | Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Addictions (Illegal or Prescription Medications) | Can qualify when dependency severely disrupts independent functioning for a prolonged period. | Start Application |
| ADHD – Combined Type (ADHD-C) | Eligibility depends on whether attention and impulse control markedly restrict daily mental tasks. | Start Application |
| ADHD – Hyperactive/Impulsive | May qualify if hyperactivity significantly limits safe and consistent functioning. | Start Application |
| ADHD – Inattentive (ADD) | Can qualify when concentration deficits substantially affect work, school, or daily routines. | Start Application |
| Agoraphobia | Often qualifies when leaving home or functioning independently becomes severely restricted. | Start Application |
| Alzheimer’s Disease | Typically qualifies due to progressive cognitive decline affecting memory and judgment. | Start Application |
| Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) | Qualifies due to severe and progressive loss of motor function. | Start Application |
| Angina | May qualify if cardiac symptoms limit walking, exertion, or daily activity. | Start Application |
| Anorexia Nervosa | Can qualify when prolonged physical and mental impairment affects basic functioning. | Start Application |
| Anxiety | Eligibility depends on whether symptoms markedly restrict mental functioning. | Start Application |
| Arthritis | May qualify if joint pain significantly limits walking, dressing, or mobility. | Start Application |
| Autism | Can qualify when communication or adaptive functioning is severely restricted. | Start Application |
| Bipolar Disorder | May qualify if mood instability markedly limits daily life over an extended period. | Start Application |
| Bowel Incontinence | Often qualifies when elimination requires constant management or is markedly restricted. | Start Application |
| Cerebral Palsy | Qualifies when motor impairment significantly limits mobility or coordination. | Start Application |
| Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | May qualify if persistent fatigue prevents normal daily activity. | Start Application |
| Chronic Pain Disorder | Eligibility depends on whether pain substantially limits mobility or self-care. | Start Application |
| Crohn’s Disease | May qualify if elimination is severely restricted or ongoing therapy is required. | Start Application |
| Depression (Major) | Can qualify when mental functioning is markedly impaired for at least one year. | Start Application |
| Diabetes | May qualify when life-sustaining therapy requires substantial daily time. | Start Application |
| Down Syndrome | Often qualifies due to intellectual and adaptive limitations. | Start Application |
| Epilepsy | May qualify if seizures restrict independence or safety. | Start Application |
| Fibromyalgia | Eligibility depends on whether chronic pain limits mobility and daily tasks. | Start Application |
| Generalized Anxiety Disorder | Can qualify if anxiety significantly disrupts daily functioning. | Start Application |
| Hearing Disorder | May qualify when hearing is markedly restricted, even with assistive devices. | Start Application |
| Huntington’s Disease | Qualifies due to progressive neurological decline. | Start Application |
| Intellectual Disability | Often qualifies when cognitive functioning is significantly limited. | Start Application |
| Multiple Sclerosis | May qualify due to neurological impairment affecting mobility or coordination. | Start Application |
| Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) | Can qualify when compulsions substantially interfere with normal functioning. | Start Application |
| Parkinson’s Disease | Qualifies due to progressive motor impairment affecting daily life. | Start Application |
| Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) | May qualify if trauma symptoms markedly restrict daily mental functioning. | Start Application |
| Quadriplegia | Qualifies due to severe loss of mobility. | Start Application |
| Schizophrenia | Often qualifies when psychosis significantly limits independence. | Start Application |
| Sleep Apnea | May qualify when life-sustaining therapy is required daily. | Start Application |
| Speech Disorder | Can qualify when verbal communication is markedly restricted. | Start Application |
| Stroke | May qualify if mobility, cognition, or speech are impaired long term. | Start Application |
| Tourette Syndrome | Eligibility depends on whether motor or vocal tics significantly limit functioning. | Start Application |
FAQs
What is the Disability Tax Credit in Canada?
The Disability Tax Credit is a non-refundable tax credit provided by the Canada Revenue Agency. It reduces the amount of income tax a person with a severe and prolonged impairment may owe. If approved, you may also qualify for retroactive refunds and other federal programs.
Who qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit?
You may qualify for the Disability Tax Credit if you have a severe and prolonged physical or mental impairment that significantly limits basic daily activities such as walking, dressing, speaking, hearing, feeding, mental functions, or elimination. A medical practitioner must certify your condition.
How much is the Disability Tax Credit worth?
The Disability Tax Credit can be worth thousands of dollars per year in reduced taxes. If approved retroactively, some applicants may receive refunds going back up to 10 years, depending on eligibility and tax history.
How far back can I claim the Disability Tax Credit?
If you qualify, the CRA may reassess prior tax years, potentially up to 10 years. This can result in substantial retroactive refunds if you were eligible during those years.
How long does it take to get approved for the Disability Tax Credit?
Processing times vary. Once the completed application is submitted to the CRA, review can take several weeks to a few months depending on case complexity and volume.
Is it hard to get approved for the Disability Tax Credit?
Approval depends on how clearly your condition meets CRA criteria. The key factor is how the impairment affects daily functioning, not just the diagnosis itself. Proper documentation and accurate completion of the application significantly improve approval chances.
Does ADHD, anxiety, or depression qualify for the Disability Tax Credit?
Mental health conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, or depression may qualify for the Disability Tax Credit if they markedly restrict mental functions necessary for everyday life. Eligibility is based on severity and duration, not simply the diagnosis.
Do I have to repay the Disability Tax Credit?
No. The Disability Tax Credit is not a loan and does not need to be repaid. It reduces taxes owed and may generate refunds if you were eligible in previous years.