Difficulty getting dressed may be relevant to a Disability Tax Credit application when it reflects significant, prolonged restrictions in daily functioning. It is not limited to being completely unable to dress. The time involved, assistance required, frequency of the difficulties and medical circumstances all matter.
If you have adapted to dressing slowly or relying on a family member, it can be easy to leave those details out when discussing your condition. This guide explains practical examples to talk through with your medical practitioner or True North Disability Services. The examples are not a checklist that guarantees DTC approval.
Which dressing difficulties are worth discussing?
Describe the individual tasks that cause problems, rather than simply saying that dressing is difficult. Your experience may involve several movements and different parts of your body.
Reaching your feet and putting on lower-body clothing
Hip, knee or back limitations may make bending to reach your feet difficult. You might need assistance putting on socks or shoes, lifting a leg into trousers or pulling clothing into place. Explain whether you can complete the task, how long it takes and what assistance you usually need.
Managing buttons, zippers and other fasteners
Pain, stiffness or reduced hand function may make it difficult to grip fabric, fasten buttons or use a zipper. Explain whether you need repeated attempts or another person’s help. If you avoid certain clothing because you cannot manage it, discuss that adaptation and the difficulties that remain.
Lifting your arms and moving clothing into position
Shoulder, arm, neck or back restrictions may affect putting on a shirt, jacket or other clothing. Describe the movement that creates difficulty and whether you need help completing it. The name of your condition alone may not explain the practical restriction.
Does taking longer to dress matter?
Extra time is important information, but taking longer does not automatically establish eligibility. Be specific about your own routine: which tasks take extra time, why they are difficult and whether you need breaks or assistance to finish them.
If you know the approximate time involved, explain how you arrived at it. If you do not know, say so rather than supplying a number you cannot support. Explain the effects of your condition, not delays unrelated to your impairment.
What if you can dress yourself using adaptations?
You may have changed your routine to remain as independent as possible. For example, you might sit down, choose easier fasteners or use a dressing aid. Explain those adaptations and any limitations that remain when you use them.
Adapting successfully does not mean you should omit your difficulties. At the same time, an adaptation or aid does not automatically prove a qualifying restriction. Describe your actual experience accurately, without stopping useful treatment or assistance to demonstrate a problem.
Explain how often the difficulty occurs
A one-off injury or an occasional difficult morning does not tell the same story as a prolonged restriction. Include when the problems began, how often they affect you and whether they are expected to continue.
If symptoms fluctuate, describe both better and worse days and how frequently each occurs. Your medical practitioner needs a representative account, not only the most difficult example you can remember.
Arthritis, spinal conditions and dressing
Arthritis can affect the hand movements, reaching and bending involved in dressing. Conditions such as spinal stenosis may also affect parts of the routine. Different people with the same diagnosis can experience different restrictions.
If walking is difficult as well, describe that separately. Our article on qualifying for the DTC when you can still walk explains useful walking details. You can also read our combined walking and dressing overview.
What should you tell your medical practitioner?
- The specific dressing tasks you cannot manage or find significantly difficult.
- The time involved, necessary breaks and assistance you receive.
- The treatment, aids and adaptations you use, and the difficulties that remain.
- How often the restrictions occur and when they began.
- Any related walking difficulties that also affect your day.
Use your own examples and be honest about what you can and cannot do. Your medical practitioner completes the medical portion of the application, and the CRA determines whether it meets the DTC requirements.
Ask TNDS about your next step
You do not need to decide for yourself whether your dressing difficulties are enough to qualify before asking for help. True North Disability Services can discuss your circumstances and explain the process.
Start an eligibility assessment or contact our team about dressing difficulties. If we’re not successful in securing your refund, there’s no charge from us. Our services page explains the fee arrangement and application process.
