Is Type 2 Diabetes a Disability in Canada? (Yes & DTC Eligible)

In this article, we answer the question, "Is type 2 diabetes a disability in Canada?"

The diagnosis of type 2 diabetes can change your life forever. The constant management of an endocrine system disorder can be quite a challenge and a heavy out-of-pocket expense. 

And this is no small problem in Canada. 

The CEO of Diabetes Canada says the new figures show a steady increase of diabetes within Canada with nearly 12 million Canadians living with this condition.  When cases of pre-diabetes are included in these stats, 14% of Canadians are said to live with this condition in some form. 

This begs the question, is type 2 diabetes a disability in Canada? In this article, we will answer this question, and walk you through how you may be eligible for the Disability Tax Credit if you are diagnosed with diabetes. 

The Time Commitment of Diabetes Management

There are two main types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. 

Type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes, occurs when the pancreas produces little or no insulin. The use of insulin injections is considered life-sustaining. 

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas doesn't make enough insulin or your body misuses insulin. Type 2 diabetics also use insulin injections or other medications to regulate the production of insulin.

If you are dependent on insulin then you know just how much goes into managing diabetes. Someone who is managing their diabetes, or the diabetes of a loved one might find themselves constantly monitoring blood sugar, prepping insulin injections, administering insulin, calibrating equipment, monitoring and treating for hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia, and changing infusion sites.

Simply preparing the insulin injections is a time-consuming task as you must carefully access how much insulin to deliver by reading current blood glucose, loading the insulin, and injecting.  This process must happen throughout the day and the night. 

Because of this time commitment to life-sustaining therapies, it is recognized by the CRA as a disability that is eligible for support. 

The Cost of Diabetes

The administering of insulin also carries a steep price tag – Canadians can expect to pay around $35 per vial of insulin. Each type 2 diabetic will have varying levels of needs when it comes to how much they administer daily, so costs vary. 

Insulin alone may cost $840 to $2,520 annually. 

If you test via traditional methods such as finger stick tests can cost around $1 per test. If you invest in a continuous glucose monitor you’ll be looking at an out-of-pocket investment of around $6,000 to $8,000.

Is Type 2 Diabetes a Disability in Canada?

Yes, type 2 diabetes is a recognized disability in Canada. However, your dependence on insulin plays a factor in being approved for the Disability Tax Credit. Unlike type 1 diabetes, those with type 2 may not be insulin dependent. 

Read More: Insulin & Life-Sustaining Therapy

When it comes to the Disability Tax Credit, Canadians with a disability can get approved under the following categories: Walking, Feeding, Dressing, Speaking, Hearing, Elimination, Mental Functions Necessary for Everyday Life, Vision, and Life-Sustaining Therapy. 

Diabetics are approved under the “Life-Sustaining Therapy” category. (More on this later.)

Type 2 Diabetes & Disability Tax Credit Eligibility

The Disability Tax Credit is a non-refundable tax credit that can reduce your taxable income, and if you have been living with a disability for a while, you might be eligible for a retroactive tax credit. (Retroactive for up to 10 years if you qualify.) 

Depending on the duration of your condition, you could potentially receive a refund of up to $40,000 from the CRA. We help thousands of people every year get the support they deserve. You can read more on some DTC FAQs here to learn more.

In Canada, diabetics are approved for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) under the category “Life-Sustaining Therapy”. 

There are two main routes of DTC approval: 

• The therapy is required to support a vital organ.
• Therapy is needed at least 3 times a week for an average of 14 hours per week.  

Now, keep in mind, the CRA is very specific about what management activities qualify for that average time commitment. 

This is why utilizing a Disability Tax Credit expert to help you create a rock-solid application vastly improves your chances of approval. 

Improve Your Approval Chances by Working With DTC Experts

Many, many folks apply for the Disability Tax Credit. And many are denied. In our experience, well-deserving people who are living with qualified conditions are denied this financial support. 

When navigating the Disability Tax Credit application, it’s indispensably helpful to have an expert at your disposal – doing the heavy lifting. How the application is worded and coded is extremely important when it comes to approval. 

At True North Disability Services, there are no upfront costs to applying through us. If you are denied, there is no cost to you. It’s a zero-risk situation. The upside to working with us is the vastly improved approval possibilities and we do all the back-and-forth with the CRA for you.  

We have successfully helped thousands of clients from across Canada obtain the Disability Tax Credit, and we’re experts at helping diabetics recover the refunds they are entitled to.

Have questions about this? Please contact us today, we’re happy to help!

Summary: Is Type 2 Diabetes a Disability in Canada?

Due to its impact on lifestyle and day-to-day time commitment of monitoring blood glucose, the Canadian government recognizes both type 1 and type 2 diabetes as disabilities. 

If you live with this condition, you could qualify for a refund from the Canadian government through a program called the Disability Tax Credit.