Supporting Your Patients. Simplifying the Process.
What Is the Disability Tax Credit?
The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is a non-refundable federal tax credit that helps reduce the financial burden on Canadians living with significant & prolonged impairments. If approved, individuals can receive retroactive refunds of up to the last 10 years, along with annual credits moving forward.
This credit is not just about financial relief—it can also open the door to other government programs that improve long-term well-being for your patients.
Disability Tax Credit
Your Role Is Crucial—But Limited to the Medical Facts
We understand that the DTC form can sometimes feel complex – especially when it comes to determining whether a patient may qualify.
It is important to remember – the Canada Revenue Agency will determine eligibility based off of the medical facts provided.
As a healthcare provider, your role is to:
- Document how your patient’s condition affects their daily functioning.
- Confirm that the impairment is prolonged (lasting 12+ months) & significant.
- Provide factual, clinical information only—no legal or financial opinions are required.
The CRA will assess the information you provide based on criteria outlined in the Income Tax Act & will ultimately determine your patient’s eligibility. It’s important to include clear examples of how your patient is affected in their day-to-day life. Simply stating a diagnosis such as “arthritis” is not sufficient—what matters is describing the functional impact of that condition on your patient’s daily activities.
What Your Patients Gain From DTC Approval
By completing this form, you are helping your patient receive:
- Up to 10 years of retroactive tax refunds—either for themselves or, in many cases, for a supporting family member or spouse who has been providing care.
- Ongoing tax relief for as long as the impairment lasts.
- Financial security during a medically and emotionally difficult time.
- Access to additional programs that can improve quality of life.
Additional Programs Unlocked by DTC Approval
Canada Disability Benefit (CDB)
A monthly federal benefit aimed at reducing poverty for working-age Canadians with disabilities. Available to eligible DTC recipients.
Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
A long-term, tax-sheltered savings plan with up to $90,000 in government grants and bonds available. The DTC is required to open and contribute to an RDSP.
Child Disability Benefit (CDB)
A tax-free monthly payment of up to $3,173 per year to help families with children under 18 who qualify for the DTC. Paid alongside the Canada Child Benefit.
Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)
Covers dental costs for eligible Canadians without private insurance. Includes exams, cleanings, fillings, and more. DTC approval may fast-track eligibility.
How We Help
At True North Disability Services, our role is to simplify the process, support your patients, and advocate on their behalf—not to replace or interfere with your clinical expertise.
We work in collaboration with healthcare professionals to ensure eligible patients receive the financial support they deserve, while minimizing the time and administrative burden placed on your office.
We also recognize that most medical practitioners receive little to no formal training on the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), and that confusion or hesitation is common. Unfortunately, this lack of clarity—combined with outdated or misleading CRA guidance often leads to qualified patients being overlooked or denied.
As a member of the Disability Tax Fairness Alliance, alongside leading national health organizations, we’ve taken an active role in challenging these inconsistencies—advocating for fairer criteria & calling out errors in the CRA’s own application wording.
Our goal is to make this process as seamless & accurate as possible, while defending both your patient’s rights and your valuable time.
Here’s What We Do
We consult directly with your patient to gather all relevant information and understand how their condition affects them on a daily basis.
We conduct a comprehensive 10-year tax review for the patient and any eligible family members, ensuring that no available credits are missed.
We prepare detailed examples illustrating how your patient meets the criteria for the Disability Tax Credit. We ensure these are clearly marked as suggestions—to help save you time while leaving all clinical judgment in your hands.
We submit all necessary forms to the CRA, manage communications on behalf of your patient, and handle all follow-up.
If the application is denied, we don’t walk away—we appeal, advocate, and fight for a fair reassessment.
We verify that both federal and provincial adjustments are accurately applied once a claim is approved.
Throughout the entire process, we’re available to answer questions, clarify CRA requirements, and support both you and your patient. Our mission is to reduce complexity, eliminate barriers, and ensure eligible Canadians don’t miss out on life-changing support.
We do the administrative heavy lifting so that you can focus on providing care.
A Final Note
We understand that as a medical practitioner, you are tasked with many demands—and often asked to complete forms beyond the clinical setting. We want to be clear: This form does not ask you to determine eligibility. It asks you to describe your patient’s functional limitations accurately.
By completing it, you could help your patient access thousands of dollars in financial support—without taking on any additional legal or diagnostic responsibility.
Have Questions?
If you would like to speak with a member of our team or have questions, we’re happy to assist.
