Celiac Tax Credit Canada: Is Celiac Disease A Disability?

Wondering if you could be eligible for a celiac tax credit? This article will walk you through what you should know.

So, you've recently been diagnosed with celiac disease and now you find yourself navigating a whole new world filled with gluten-free diets, worrisome cross-contamination, major lifestyle changes, and, of course, a whole lot of questions. One of those burning questions might be whether Canada views celiac as a disability, or if celiac qualifies for a tax credit?”. 

Worry not, in this blog, we'll explore the ins and outs of celiac disease, the disability tax credit, and if this condition might qualify you for some well-deserved financial relief. So, let's get started, shall we?

Understanding Celiac Disease

Before we dive into the world of tax credits, let's explore celiac disease itself. 

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder wherein your immune system – which is designed to protect you – gets a bit confused and starts attacking your body when you consume gluten (that pesky protein found in wheat, barley, and rye). In the case of celiac, the immune system starts to attack the lining of the intestines. 

If you have celiac disease, when you eat something containing gluten, your small intestine can become inflamed, leading to symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, anemia, seizures, a skin rash, sores in the mouth, and missed menstrual periods in women.

If this disease is left untreated gluten ends up damaging the intestines leading to malabsorption, malnutrition, and anemia.  

Diet As Treatment Protocol 

The key to staying on top of your health while living with celiac disease is following a strict — and I mean *strict* — gluten-free diet. This is way easier said than done, of course, but it's essential to keep those not-so-fun symptoms and complications at bay.  

One of the trickiest parts of dealing with celiac disease is navigating what to eat and what places are safe to eat. For some with celiac, the smallest amount of gluten can send them into a celiac flare-up. There is a considerable amount of time and effort that goes into managing the diet of someone living with celiac. If the diet is not carefully managed, there is a very considerable amount of time spent in the bathroom. 

Within 6 months of strictly removing gluten from the diet, those with celiac disease often see an improvement or total resolution of symptoms. For those who have experienced extensive intestinal damage, more treatment may be necessary. 

Canada Has The Highest Increase of Celiac Disease in The World

Celiac is one of the most common digestive disorders and the prevalence is steadily increasing. A 2015 study revealed that over the last few decades, Canada had the highest increase in celiac disease in the world. It's estimated that this disease goes undiagnosed in 90% of cases. 

The Cost of Gluten-Free 

If you live with celiac diease, you know that managing your diet can be burdensome, both emotionally and financially. Celiac Canada estimates that gluten-free products cost between 150% - 500% more than gluten-containing counterparts. Those of us who are avoiding gluten don’t have a choice. 

Is Celiac Diease A Disability In Canada? 

It's time we address the million-dollar question: is celiac disease considered a disability in Canada? 

The truth is, it's not entirely clear-cut. Celiac disease alone isn't automatically classified as a disability. However, because celiac can manifest in a variety of ways and have different levels of impact on a person's life, there's a big grey area here.

The key factor in determining whether celiac disease qualifies as a disability ultimately lies in how greatly it affects your daily life. For some individuals, the symptoms and complications associated with celiac can be extremely severe and make it difficult to function normally. In cases like these, it's possible that celiac disease may be viewed as a disability.

It's essential to remember that each case is unique, and what may be disabling for one person might not be the same for another. 

Successfully claiming celiac disease as a disability largely depends on demonstrating its impact on your daily life and providing thorough documentation from medical professionals to support your claim.

Qualifying for Celiac Tax Credit in Canada  

It is possible that celiac disease could qualify you for the disability tax credit, provided the symptoms have lasted for over a year and have significantly affected your ability to carry out the normal activities of daily living. Talking to an expert at True North Disability Services would definitely be a helpful step to determine your eligibility.

True North Disability Services specializes in securing disability benefits for individuals and families supporting members with disabilities, such as celiac disease. Now, it's important to know that there are several steps involved in claiming the disability credit, and certain conditions need to be met. This is where True North Disability Services can make a difference by guiding you through the process.

Celiac disease might not automatically be considered a disability, it's possible to qualify for the Disability Tax Credit if it significantly affects one's daily life. 

Reaching out to experts like True North Disability Services can make all the difference in navigating this complex tax matter and ensuring you receive the financial relief you deserve.

Looking for DTC Assistance? We've Got Your Back!

At True North Disability Services, we're all about making your life easier when it comes to Disability Tax Credits in Canada. By choosing to work with DTC experts like us, you not only leave all the heavy lifting to us but you also improve your chances of approval!

Our team of professionals specializes in helping clients complete applications, gather the necessary supporting documentation, and communicate directly with the Canada Revenue Agency on your behalf. 

The best part? We don't charge any upfront costs! You can apply through us risk-free. 

With years of experience under our belts, True North Disability Services strives to maximize our clients' disability tax credit returns, offering much-needed, and sometimes life-changing, financial relief. 

Curious to learn more about the Disability Tax Credit? Don't hesitate to reach out! 

Click here to set up a no-obligation consultation and let's get started!