Canadian disability Tax Credit

[Careyearl]

Just wanted to let my fellow Canadians know that you can get the Disability Tax Credit with CRA when you have crohns. I just applied and have the credit for the tax years 2011 to 2018 at which time I will reapply. You do to have to pay someone to apply for you it costs way too much. I only had to pay the fee for my Dr. To fill out the forms. It is worthwhile to get it. If you want more info private message me and I will walk you through it. Like to help others get what they deserve

 

[Crohn's gal since 1989]

How long did it take for you to hear from Canada Revenue? I applied for this 2 weeks ago.

 

[Careyearl]

It can take 6 to 8 weeks to hear from them just depends on the time of year.

 

[shauna.lea]

I have been diagnosed with crohns since 2010. That first year was brutal. I was admitted twice and put on various medications some of which I had allergies reactions. Three months into the diagnosis I finally got in to a specialist. A year into the disease I threw in the towel and went on sick leave from my job as a hairstylist. I couldn't handle the stress of the flare up and the lack of support from my coworkers. Shortly after I left my job my specialist recommended Remicade. Steroids were the only thing working but obviously not the best thing to be one and everything else I had reactions too. I started my remicade and it really didn't wonders, I wasn't in pain anymore. In fact I went a year without having diarrhea! Well that didn't last. I don't get the pain like I did with the flare up but I still have sensitivities to food and discomfort once in awhile in my stomach and back. Nothing I can't really handle. Two years into my disease I had started a new job. Went pretty well for a year however I was sick a fair amount. I was a sitting duck for everything! Once again the support in my coworkers were lacking. I decided to try self employment. I struggle every day with being tired and bouts of running to the bathroom. It's embarrassing because I have to leave my client sitting in a chair for long periods of time. My question after this lengthy explanation is: what would be recommended to apply to the government for disability, disability tax credit etc? Do you think I qualify? Any advice would be great!

 

[SupportiveMom]

Hmm... I have never applied so I can't give much experience. Tagging DJW or VeganOstomy do either of know of anyone with experience with Canadian Tax benefit?

Like I said no experience, but I know there are companies that help you to apply.

 

[DJW]

I recently applied. Waiting to hear back. I'm hoping they will go back 10 years.

 

[shauna.lea]

What should be ticked off on the disability tax credit form concerning crohns?? I only see bowel elimination concerning crohns?

 

[shamrock15]

It's been a few years since I have used this - I had it for three years I think. Bowel elimination was one factor, eating habits another. Anything that really impairs daily function can be considered if I remember correctly. There isn't any need on this to hire an outside company. The forms are pretty simple to complete, and your doctor will need to complete part of it. Depending on your doctor, some may charge for that service.

 

[VeganOstomy]

I was able to get Disability Tax Credit for my Crohn's disease, it ended last year, and I don't think I'd qualify for it now that I have an ostomy. When I was approved, my Crohn's was quite disabling for me, so that might have played a factor.

My GP filled out the form for the government and they approved it on the fist go, and back paid me from the year I was diagnosed.

 

[shauna.lea]

I plan on filling it out myself. Now I'm in remission right now but I still suffer sensitivities to food, doesn't seem to matter what I eat. I had to give up working for companies and work for myself as I'm a hairstylist because of my bouts of upset stomach

 

[shauna.lea]

So the 'feeding' section would apply to us?

 

[VeganOstomy]

So the 'feeding' section would apply to us?

Depends if you're considered "marked restricted in feeding". The examples they give are:

- your patient requires feeding tubes all or substantially all the time.
- your patient requires an inordinate amount of time to prepare meals or to feed him/herself, on a daily basis, due to significant pain and decreased strength and dexterity in the upper limbs.

Even at my worst, an unable to prepare my own meals, this was not applicable to me, but your doctor may believe that you qualify.

 

[shauna.lea]

I don't think it applies to me. I think the bowel elimination is the only one.

 

[VeganOstomy]

I don't think it applies to me. I think the bowel elimination is the only one.

Give it a shot... the worst they can do is say "no".

 

[s.a.m.]

Eligibility criteria

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/sgmnts/dsblts/dtc/qstns/q1-eng.html

 

[shamrock15]

If you are in remission, you won't qualify. My doctor gave me the evil eye for trying. I think if you have an ostomy, I think it goes under the voiding issue and you can still qualify.

 

[MizzSarah]

Dead forum but I thought I would try to give it a go. Got the tax credit before and tried to reapply and I was denied. I hate getting denied for things and it gives me incredible anxiety. I don't think my doctor explained it enough even though he Canada revenue asked him for more details. For those of you that got it--what important details did you include?

 

[Bufford]

I applied for the disability tax credit after major surgery that left me with a stoma that became permanent. My GI filled out the forms for no charge and I was aproved with no problems. It had to be renewed and again I had no problems.
But then the government changed and we got the Trudeau government, one in favor of running large deficits. My renewal this time around was declined and I had to go through the lengthly appeals process with the CRA. Nothing had changed, but CRA declined my application because they felt that a colostomy is not considered to hinder my ability any more than that of a normal healthy individual.
Going forward I launched an appeal, and then worked together with my MP to make changes going forward that would automatically approve anyone with a stoma who lives on low income. I wrote a detailed letter about how living with a stoma presents certain challenges that affect every aspect of our day including the misery at night having to wake each time to roll over to protect and preposition the appliance. Its with hope that I can make a change that will help those with stomas who apply for the tax credit.
Be persistent and don't take a simple no as an answer from the tax people.

 

[Bufford]

I forgot to mention that I was successful with my appeal. My doctor had choice words to describe the individual who declined my application for the federal disability tax credit. My doctor replied with another statement at no charge and pushed the issue. It was a lengthily process for the sake of a few hundred dollars off of the federal income taxes. Why does the process have to be so demeaning?

 

[shamrock15]

Congrats on your appeal! I know that it made a huge difference for me when I had the credit. Even happier that for the last almost decade I haven't been able to get it.

 

[MizzSarah]

What kinds of things did your doctor add in your appeal? My dr wasn't too descriptive so I was denied. I wonder what things should be touched on

I forgot to mention that I was successful with my appeal. My doctor had choice words to describe the individual who declined my application for the federal disability tax credit. My doctor replied with another statement at no charge and pushed the issue. It was a lengthily process for the sake of a few hundred dollars off of the federal income taxes. Why does the process have to be so demeaning?

 

[Bufford]

The whole issue revolved around bodily elimination. I have a stoma for a colostomy due to Crohn's, and the CRA (Canada revenue agency) denied my application on the grounds that it did not fully explain my disability to their satisfaction. My doctor had to state that I spend more than 3 hours a day dealing with bodily elimination. In my detailed statement to CRA my doctor explained that most of my day including the night is centered around maintaining a colostomy while also having to manage the underlining condition causing the problem (Crohn's). Once that was submitted to appeals I was granted my disability tax credit.
I took this issue to the next level by contacting my member of parliament and had a meeting at their office. My MP supported my request that all people with a permanent stoma should automatically qualify for the credit, in particular those on a lower income. Maintaining a stoma is really a 24 hour a day full time issue. A lot can and will go wrong if one does not pay attention to it. It is with hope that changes will be made to the tax legislation that people with stomas here can have the dignity to apply for the disability tax credit without questions. A stoma is self explanatory.