What Conditions Qualify For Disability Tax Credit In Canada?

If you’re looking for a list of what conditions qualify for Disability Tax Credit in Canada – you might expect just a simple list of diagnoses. But it’s not all that simple. 

While we will list some conditions for you in this guide, it's important to know that getting approved for the Disability Tax Credit is not about having a specific diagnosis. 

In fact, you do not need a specific diagnosis to obtain the credit. 

If that sounds confusing, don’t worry!  Here at True North Disability Services we specialize in this topic and are happy to help fellow Canadians navigate this. 

Let's get into the health conditions that qualify for Disability Tax Credit.

What is the Disability Tax Credit? 

The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is a non-refundable tax credit designed to lower the taxable income of individuals living with disabilities. If you've been managing a disability for some time, you might qualify for a retroactive tax credit, which can apply for up to 10 years if you meet the criteria.

Depending on the duration of your condition, you could potentially lead to a refund of up to $40,000 from the Canada Revenue Agency.

At True North Disability Services, we're proud to assist thousands of individuals each year in accessing the support they rightfully deserve.

For more information, check out our DTC FAQs section.

Disability Tax Credit Eligibility Criteria 

Eligibility is not about what you've been diagnosed with. Disability tax credit approvals are based on how your daily life is affected by your health condition. This aspect is crucial to remember when considering whether you might be eligible for the DTC. 

To be eligible for this tax credit: 

1. You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. 
2. You must have a medical professional certify that you require life-sustaining therapy, or
3. You must have a medical professional certify that you live with ​​ severe and prolonged impairment or marked restricted in 1 of the categories, or
4. You must have a medical professional certify that you live with ​​ that you have significant limitations in 2 or more categories. 

Here are the main categories for DTC eligibility: 

• Walking 
• Feeding
• Dressing 
• Eliminating
• Hearing 
• Speaking 
• Vision 
• Mental Functions Necessary for Everyday Life
• Life-sustaining Therapy

Each category has its own criteria that must be met to be eligible for the Disability Tax Credit. 

More Information: Do I Qualify for the Disability Tax Credit?

There are many health conditions that often qualify for the disability tax credit in Canada, but as we said before, it’s about how these conditions affect your everyday life under these categories rather than the diagnosis itself. 

For example, you may be diagnosed with arthritis, but do you have a restricted or limited ability to walk down the length of a city block? If yes, you may qualify for the DTC. If not, then an arthritis diagnosis may not be enough to qualify you. 

What Conditions Qualify For Disability Tax Credit in Canada?

Qualifying for the disability tax credit in Canada is complicated. And there is no comprehensive list of conditions that qualify for the disability tax credit. 

But there are conditions that are often approved because of their effect on everyday life. 

Here is an alphabetical list of conditions that may qualify for disability tax credit.

• ADD / ADHD
• Aids
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Astigmatism
• Autism
• Bipolar Disorder
• Cancer
• Cataracts
• Celiac Disease
• Cerebral Palsy
• Chronic Asthma
• Chronic Pain Syndrome
• Colitis
• COPD
• Crohn’s Disease
• Dementia
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Difficulty Walking / Dressing
• Dystonia
• Eating Disorder
• Emphysema
• Epilepsy
• Fibromyalgia
• Glaucoma
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Learning Disabilities
• Memory Problems
• Mental Illness
• Mobility Issues
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Muscle Dystrophy
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Osteoarthritis
• Pancreatitis
• Paraplegia
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Pterygium
• Quadriplegia
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Speech Disorder
• Spinal Cord Trauma
• Tourette Syndrome
• Tuberculosis

How To Create A Solid Disability Tax Credit Application

While you very well may have a condition listed above, you may still be denied the Disability Tax Credit. This may occur for a multitude of reasons. 

At True North Disability Services we’ve worked with countless clients who have previously been denied when they applied on their own, and in the end, we were able to secure them the help they deserved! 

Because we do this work day and day out, we know the very best ways to create a strong case. 

Here are a few ways to create a solid application: 

#1 Speak with your doctor about imaging/blood work & medical records

A Disability Tax Credit application is only as strong as the medical evidence provided. This is not as simple as a written diagnosis – it often requires medical testing or obtaining historical medical records. This can be a tricky part for some folks as some conditions are difficult to prove through medical imaging or blood panels. For others, it’s as simple as asking your doctor for a blood test, or an MRI. It all depends. 

To be sure you’re getting the medical testing or medical records you need for your application, speak to a DTC expert at no cost to you. This ensures zero guesswork at your expense. 

#2 Make sure you’re working with qualified medical professionals who can certify your documents

These professionals may include medical doctors, nurse practitioners, optometrists, occupational therapists, and psychologists to name a few. Not having a licensed medical professional sign off could invalidate your entire application. 

#3 Work risk-free with Disability Tax Credit experts

The best and easiest way to ensure your application has the best chance of approval is by working with and consulting with disability tax credit experts. 

Our team can handle the entire process for you while utilizing our expertise to help you get the maximum return. We begin by getting to know you and your health conditions. Then we handle the back-and-forth with your doctors and the Canada Revenue Agency to reach a final conclusion. 

There is no cost or risk to submitting your application through True North Disability Services.

We would be more than happy to help you explore this possibility and guide you through the process. To learn more about the Disability Tax Credit, don't hesitate to contact us today!