Health Assessment for the Disability Tax Credit

A personal health assessment is required at the beginning of the Disability Tax Credit Certificate. In addition to a medical practitioner’s report, this section has significant impact on determining eligibility for the Disability Tax Credit. Before starting the qualification process, it is possible to get an idea of whether or not an application will be successful.

Read and answer the five questions below to better understand how a unique situation relates to available benefits.

1. Has the physical or mental impairment been disabling for the past 12 months or more? Is it anticipated to persist for the next 12 months or more?

2. Is one troubling symptom blindness or significant vision troubles?

A person with debilitating blindness (by definition on the Disability Tax Credit Certificate) may or may not use contact lenses (or other corrective lenses) or medications. But despite treatment(s), the individual claiming the tax benefits is eligible to qualify if he or she has 20/200 vision. Significantly limited peripheral vision may also lead to qualification.

3. Is life-sustaining therapy part of a daily or weekly treatment plan?

A life-sustaining therapy is necessary to “support a vital function” and may ease symptoms too. In addition, this treatment must be issued at least three days per week and take up 14 hours of an individual’s time. Ultimately, maintaining this vital function interrupts a normal schedule.

To complete questions 4 and 5, consider these seven basic faculties: speech, hearing, walking, elimination, feeding, dressing, mental challenges.

4. Does one of these areas limit daily activities? Are restrictions apparent all of the time, or at least 90 percent of the time? Is the disabling symptom still bothersome after completing therapy, administering medication, or utilizes helpful devices?

5. Is there a combination of disabling effects at play? Are two or more of these areas (speech, hearing, walking, elimination, feeding, dressing or mental challenges) experienced at the same time? Do the cumulative symptoms result in consistent limitation of daily abilities?

Answering yes to these questions may indicate eligibility for the Disability Tax Credit. This information may be helpful when consulting medical professionals and Benefit Specialists. If the Disability Tax Credit Certificate is deemed successful by the Canada Revenue Agency it is appropriate to use the disability amount on annual tax forms. In addition, the Disability Tax Credit makes it possible to claim up to $40,000 in retroactive payments.

Applying for the Disability Tax Credit is a game changer. It makes it possible for a person who experiences critical day-to-day functions to leverage tax payments and supplement his or her income – making medical expenses and daily living costs affordable.

Every claim is unique. To ask questions about personal circumstances and find out more about the Disability Tax Credit, contact Benefit Specialists at the National Benefit Authority. Free consultations are available at 1888-389-0080. Or, fill out this online form: http://www.thenba.ca/free-consultation.html.

**This is not the actual assessment found on the Disability Tax Credit Certificate. These questions represent some eligibility requirements for the Disability Tax Credit. Completing this assessment does not guarantee any financial support from the government or the NBA, nor does it promise Disability Tax Credit qualification.