Do People with ADHD Qualify for the Disability Tax Credit?

Guidelines for the Disability Tax Credit recently expanded to include a broader definition of “disability.” Now, people with invisible disabilities and mental impairments are eligible to apply for the tax program too.

A diagnosis does not imply a person living with a disability will receive the credit; instead, consideration is given to how the disability affects his or her daily life. Therefore, some people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have received Disability Tax Credit benefits over the years.

If someone is diagnosed with ADHD and displays behaviour that disrupts his or her life, then qualifying for the Disability Tax Credit may be possible. Understand situations where this might be the case and decipher between severe and mild ADHD. There is financial support for people with this invisible disability; the Disability Tax Credit may be one option.

ADHD is Eligible When…

Many types of disabilities are recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency. Qualification depends on how the physical or mental impairment impacts one’s daily life. There is only one set of eligibility requirements for the Disability Tax Credit; “you must have a prolonged disability (12 months or longer) and your disability must restrict one or more aspects of daily living.”

Severe vs. Mild ADHD

As with many invisible disabilities, ADHD exists on a spectrum. A person who has severe ADHD will probably be more restricted than someone with mild ADHD. In fact, some forms of mild ADHD manifest no visible symptoms. Other types of ADHD are severe and have symptoms that disrupt ones daily life in significant ways.

A person with severe ADHD may show some of the following signs:

– Frequent distractions that disrupt daily tasks.
– Impulses that keep one from completing tasks.
– Applying excessive force in physical activity.
– Delayed response time.

Overall, severe affects can cause a person to have trouble with day-to-day “normal” functions. In a number of cases, honestly detailing symptoms of ADHD has resulted in meeting eligibility standards for the Disability Tax Credit.

Applying for the Disability Tax Credit

After being diagnosed with ADHD by a medical practitioner, it is possible to apply for the Disability Tax Credit. The medical practitioner (who can be a psychiatrist) will need to understand the unique impact ADHD has on an individual’s daily living.  The parent or primary caregiver to a child with ADHD may also consider applying for the Disability Tax Credit on behalf of the minor who has this condition.

Outsiders can sometimes have a hard time grasping how challenging it is to live with ADHD. This disability is invisible for the most part. In fact, the impairment only became eligible for Disability Tax Credit consideration a few years ago. Nevertheless, the importance of applying for financial support is evident.

To ensure the application process is handled with the care and respect this disability deserves, consult benefit specialists at the National Benefit Authority. This is the most trusted agency serving people with disabilities in Canada. They are available for free consultations and to guide the qualification process.