DTC
The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is a non-refundable federal tax credit that helps individuals with severe and prolonged physical or mental impairments — or those supporting them — reduce the income tax they owe. The 2026 disability amount is $10,341 (2025: $10,138) and the maximum supplement for a child under 18 is $6,032 (2025: $5,914), per CRA's indexation table. These are claim amounts, not payments or refunds. The credit is non-refundable: it can only reduce tax you actually owe, and the actual tax reduction depends on your income, your other credits and the tax year, so no fixed dollar saving can be quoted for everyone. The DTC is the gateway to other programs such as the Canada Disability Benefit, the RDSP, and the Child Disability Benefit. Current-year amounts: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/frequently-asked-questions-individuals/adjustment-personal-income-tax-benefit-amounts.html
Free help with the DTC
Plan Institute's free national Disability Planning Helpline » offers one-on-one support with the Disability Tax Credit, the RDSP, and future planning — by phone, email, or video call, anywhere in Canada.
Slinn Tax is an independent, third-party virtual tax service for Canadians who have been approved for the Disability Tax Credit. It reviews DTC-approved tax years for potentially missed credits, deductions, and eligible family transfers, and prepares personal income tax returns. This is not a government program or an Accessible Compass service, and Accessible Compass does not endorse or guarantee its services. Always compare options and confirm fees before you hire any tax preparer.
• The 2026 claim amount is $10,341 (2025: $10,138) — label the year you are claiming, since the amount is indexed annually • This is a non-refundable credit: it reduces tax you owe, only up to the tax you owe, and the actual reduction varies by income, other credits and tax year. It is not a payment or a refund • Even if you owe no tax, apply — the DTC unlocks the RDSP, Canada Disability Benefit, and other benefits • You can claim retroactively for up to 10 years of past taxes • 2026 supplement for children under 18: $6,032 maximum (2025: $5,914), taken from CRA's published indexation table. It is a non-refundable credit amount, not a cash payment, and it is reduced if child care or attendant care expenses are claimed for the child. CRA's current-year table: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/frequently-asked-questions-individuals/adjustment-personal-income-tax-benefit-amounts.html • Once approved, you don't need to reapply unless CRA specifies an expiry date • Having the wrong type of practitioner sign the form is the most common reason for rejection • Proposed changes announced in the Spring Economic Update 2026 (May 2026) would streamline DTC applications for certain long-term conditions and expand the medical practitioners who can certify eligibility. These measures are proposed only — consultations on draft legislation are pending, so they are not yet enacted and should not be treated as final.
• Individuals of any age with a severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions. • The impairment must be present all or substantially all of the time (generally 90% or more). • A marked restriction in one category of daily living, or significant limitations in two or more categories, or a need for life-sustaining therapy meeting specific criteria. • Eligibility is based on the functional impact on daily activities, not on a diagnosis alone.
• Form T2201 (Disability Tax Credit Certificate) — Part A completed by the applicant, Part B by a qualified medical practitioner
1. Log in to CRA My Account to apply digitally, or obtain the current Form T2201. 2. Complete Part A with your personal information. 3. Have a qualified medical practitioner complete Part B. 4. Submit via your online account or by mail. 5. Wait for a Notice of Determination from the CRA.
• Having the wrong type of practitioner sign the form • Not describing the cumulative effect of multiple restrictions • Forgetting you can claim retroactively (up to 10 years) • Not applying because you think your disability isn't 'severe enough' • Missing that the DTC unlocks other benefits like RDSP
The Application Helper walks you through each question on this benefit's form in plain language.
Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit
A refundable federal tax credit for renovating a home to create a self-contained secondary unit so a senior aged 65 or older, or an adult eligible for the Disability Tax Credit, can live with a qualifying relative. CRA's page for the 2025 tax year allows up to $50,000 in qualifying expenditures for each qualifying renovation that is completed, and calculates the credit at 14.5% of eligible costs to a maximum of $7,250 for each claim. Those are CRA's 2025 tax-year figures — check the current-year page before you rely on an amount.
View detailsCanada Workers Benefit – Disability Supplement
The Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) is a refundable tax credit for people who work and earn a low income. It has two parts: a basic portion and a disability supplement. If you are approved for the Disability Tax Credit, the supplement is paid on top of the basic portion to help with the extra costs of working while living with a disability. For the 2026 tax year, CRA's published federal maximums are $1,665 for a single individual and $2,869 for a family, and the disability supplement maximum is $860 (2025: $843). Supplement phaseout starts at $38,495 for a single individual and $50,377 for a family, and the minimum working income is $1,150. These are the federal standard schedule: footnote 8 on CRA's table states that reconfiguration agreements with Alberta, Quebec and Nunavut change the amounts and thresholds for residents there, so confirm the figure for your province or territory.
View detailsCanada Caregiver Credit
A federal non-refundable tax credit for Canadians supporting a spouse, common-law partner, or dependent relative with a physical or mental impairment. It reduces the federal income tax you owe but does not produce a refund if you owe no tax. For the 2026 tax year the CRA indexes the Canada caregiver amount at $8,773 for an infirm dependant 18 or older (line 30425 for a spouse, common-law partner or eligible dependant, 30450 for another infirm dependant) and $2,740 for each infirm child under 18, a dependent spouse or common-law partner, or an eligible dependant (2025: $8,601 and $2,687). The amount is reduced by the dependant's net income above the Canada caregiver net income threshold of $20,601 for 2026 (2025: $20,197).
View detailsFree disability-benefits navigation services are available if you'd like help understanding or applying for this benefit.
National
CAD-ASC is the national consumer organization of Deaf Canadians, providing consultation, research, and expertise on Deaf needs and rights to the public, organizations, and governments. It develops pilot programs and advocates for the rights of Deaf Canadians and the recognition of ASL and LSQ.
Languages: ASL, LSQ, English, French
National
Disability Alliance Canada is a national cross-disability non-profit that provides free one-on-one support to help people navigate federal disability programs, including the Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit (CPP-D), the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), and the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB). They also offer educational guides, training and workshops, and help with applications, reconsiderations, and appeals.
Languages: English, French
National
The GAIN Program (Guidance & Assistance in Navigating Disability Support) is a free service offered by Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada (VLRC). VLRC's Disability Benefit Navigators provide one-to-one support to help people with disabilities understand and apply for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), and other federal, provincial and territorial credits and benefits, including help with appeals. Although operated by VLRC, the GAIN Program assists people with all disabilities, not only vision loss.
Languages: English, French
Application denied?
If your application is turned down, the Appeals Guide explains filing deadlines, escalation levels, and where to find free legal and advocate help.
HealStroke is a mobile app for adults after stroke and adult caregivers. Publisher-described features include daily recovery organization, reminders, guided practice and progress records. Free download with in-app purchases. It supports education and self-management alongside professional care; no independent clinical-effectiveness or accessibility certification is claimed.
View detailsStepSafe makes a matchbox-sized cellular GPS tracker for children with autism, ADHD or Down syndrome who are prone to wandering (elopement). Parents see live location in an app, get alerts when a child leaves a safe zone, and the microphone is permanently disabled for privacy. Locking wristband and waistband wearables are in development. Devices ship to families in Canada and the US starting February 2027. We also offer a free wandering Safety Kit for parents (printable ID card, safety plan and checklists) at stepsafetech.com/resources.
View detailsFind A Doctor Canada is a free, independent online search tool for exploring family-doctor, walk-in clinic and other primary-care options across Canada. Searching for a family doctor can add another burden for people already managing a disability or supporting a loved one — this tool lets users search by location and care type, review reported availability and source notes, and contact clinics directly. It is a navigation tool, not a clinic or medical service; current intake, eligibility and accessibility arrangements must be confirmed with each provider, and acceptance is not guaranteed.
View detailsAccessible Compass is an independent guide — we are not a government agency and do not process applications or approve benefits. We provide general information only, not legal, medical, or financial advice. Program rules may change. Always confirm with official government sources.
