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Eligibility checks

Do I qualify for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC)?

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The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) lowers the income tax paid by a person with a severe and prolonged impairment, or by a family member who supports them. There is no age limit and no income test. What counts is how much the condition limits daily life, and a medical practitioner must certify it.

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Have you already applied for the Disability Tax Credit?

If you are checking for a parent or other family member, answer every question for them.

Has the health problem lasted, or is it expected to last, at least 12 months in a row?

The CRA calls this a prolonged impairment. Conditions that come with aging, such as vision loss, hearing loss, dementia, arthritis or the effects of a stroke, can count.

Which best describes how it affects daily life, even with therapy, devices and medication?

The areas are: seeing, speaking, hearing, walking, bowel or bladder functions, feeding, dressing, and mental functions such as memory, judgment and problem-solving. 'Almost all the time' means about 90% of the time or more. Compare with people of a similar age who do not have the condition.

Do you need therapy to keep a vital body function going, at least 2 times a week and for an average of at least 14 hours a week?

The CRA calls this life-sustaining therapy. Most people answer No.

Likely eligible

You are approved. Make sure you claim it every year it covers.

Why

Your notice of determination shows which years you are approved for. For an adult, the disability amount is $10,138 for the 2025 tax year and $10,341 for 2026. It can lower federal tax by up to about $1,470 for 2025 and $1,448 for 2026.

What to do next

  1. Claim it on line 31600 of your tax return.
  2. If you do not need all of it, a supporting relative can claim the unused part on line 31800, or your spouse or partner on line 32600.
  3. If you were eligible in earlier years and did not claim, you can ask the CRA to adjust up to 10 past years. Use Change my return in your CRA account or write to the CRA.
  4. If your approval has an expiry date, watch for the CRA's reminder letter and apply again before it ends.
  5. You can also claim the Home Accessibility Tax Credit for safety work on your home, at any age.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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We cannot tell from your answers

A refusal can often be changed with better medical details.

Why

Many refusals happen because the form does not show enough detail about how the condition affects daily life. You have 90 days from the date on your notice of determination to file a formal objection.

What to do next

  1. Read your notice of determination. It explains why the CRA decided you are not eligible.
  2. Call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281 to talk about the decision and ask what information was missing.
  3. Ask for a review by mailing new medical information to the tax centre, such as a letter from your practitioner you have not sent before. Ask them to describe what you cannot do, or how much longer it takes, and how often.
  4. Or file a formal objection within 90 days of the notice date. You can use Form T400A, Notice of Objection.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely not eligible

You likely do not qualify yet.

Why

The Disability Tax Credit is only for an impairment that has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months in a row. A shorter illness or injury does not count, even if it is severe.

What to do next

  1. If the condition is still there later, or your practitioner now expects it to last 12 months or more, run this check again.
  2. Keep receipts for health costs. Some can be claimed as medical expenses.
  3. Call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281 if you are not sure how the rule applies to you.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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We cannot tell from your answers

Ask your practitioner how long it is expected to last.

Why

The impairment must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 12 months in a row. Your doctor, nurse practitioner or other medical practitioner can say what they expect.

What to do next

  1. Ask your practitioner whether the condition is expected to last 12 months or more.
  2. If they say yes, run this check again and answer the other questions.
  3. Call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281 if you have questions about the rules.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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We cannot tell from your answers

Your medical practitioner can help you decide.

Why

The DTC depends on how much the condition limits daily life, not on the diagnosis or your age. Some examples from the CRA: not being able to walk about 100 metres, or vision of 20/200 or worse, or a field of vision of 20 degrees or less, in both eyes even with glasses.

What to do next

  1. Write down what is hard to do, how much longer it takes than before, and how often. Bring the list to your practitioner.
  2. Ask your practitioner whether they think you meet the rules. Doctors, nurse practitioners, optometrists, audiologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists and speech-language pathologists can certify the form.
  3. Applying is free. You do not need to pay a company to apply. Only your practitioner may charge a fee to fill in the form.
  4. Call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281 if you have questions.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely not eligible

You likely do not qualify for the DTC at this time.

Why

The DTC needs a severe limit almost all the time (about 90% of the time or more), a combination of limits with the same effect, or life-sustaining therapy. Your answers show milder limits or limits only some of the time.

What to do next

  1. If the condition gets worse, run this check again. Many conditions that come with aging change over time.
  2. Your practitioner compares you with people of a similar age without the condition. If you are not sure your answers were right, ask them.
  3. Keep receipts for health costs. Some can be claimed as medical expenses.
  4. If you are 65 or older, you can still claim the Home Accessibility Tax Credit for safety work on your home without the DTC.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely eligible

You likely qualify. Apply for the Disability Tax Credit.

Why

This sounds like a marked restriction: you cannot do an activity, or it takes at least 3 times as long as for others of your age, almost all the time, for 12 months or more. Only the CRA decides, based on what your practitioner certifies. For an adult, the disability amount is $10,341 for 2026 ($10,138 for 2025).

What to do next

  1. Apply online: sign in to your CRA account, choose Benefits and credits, then Apply for DTC. Or call 1-800-959-8281. Give the reference number to your practitioner, who completes Part B online.
  2. Or apply on paper with Form T2201. Your practitioner must sign Part B by hand. Mail both parts together to a CRA tax centre.
  3. In Part A, tick the box asking the CRA to adjust your past returns. Back-claims can go up to 10 years.
  4. Ask your practitioner to describe what you cannot do, or how much longer it takes, and when it began.
  5. If you owe little or no tax, a supporting family member may be able to claim the unused part.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely eligible

You likely qualify. Apply for the Disability Tax Credit.

Why

The DTC can be approved when significant limits in two or more areas, present at least 90% of the time, together have the same effect as one severe limit. Only the CRA decides, based on what your practitioner certifies. For an adult, the disability amount is $10,341 for 2026 ($10,138 for 2025).

What to do next

  1. Apply online: sign in to your CRA account, choose Benefits and credits, then Apply for DTC. Or call 1-800-959-8281. Give the reference number to your practitioner, who completes Part B online.
  2. Or apply on paper with Form T2201. Your practitioner must sign Part B by hand. Mail both parts together to a CRA tax centre.
  3. Ask your practitioner to describe each area that is limited, with examples of time taken and how often.
  4. In Part A, tick the box asking the CRA to adjust your past returns. Back-claims can go up to 10 years.
  5. If you owe little or no tax, a supporting family member may be able to claim the unused part.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely eligible

You likely qualify through life-sustaining therapy.

Why

The DTC can be approved for therapy that supports a vital function, needed at least 2 times a week and for an average of at least 14 hours a week, for 12 months or more. Only the CRA decides, based on what your practitioner certifies. For an adult, the disability amount is $10,341 for 2026 ($10,138 for 2025).

What to do next

  1. Apply online: sign in to your CRA account, choose Benefits and credits, then Apply for DTC. Or call 1-800-959-8281. Give the reference number to your practitioner, who completes Part B online.
  2. Or apply on paper with Form T2201. Your practitioner must sign Part B by hand. Mail both parts together to a CRA tax centre.
  3. In Part A, tick the box asking the CRA to adjust your past returns. Back-claims can go up to 10 years.
  4. If you owe little or no tax, a supporting family member may be able to claim the unused part.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Where these rules come from

  1. Who is eligible for the DTC (Canada Revenue Agency)
  2. How to apply for the DTC (Canada Revenue Agency)
  3. CRA's decision on the DTC (Canada Revenue Agency)
  4. Claiming the DTC (Canada Revenue Agency)
  5. RC4064 Disability-Related Information 2025 (Canada Revenue Agency)
  6. Indexation adjustment for personal income tax and benefit amounts (Canada Revenue Agency)

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