If your DTC application is denied

But you still have options. Many people get denied because the CRA needs more information. You may still have a chance to be eligible for the Disability Tax Credit.

Options for what to do if your application is denied

Option 1: Ask the CRA to review your application

This option is good to explore first. It is good if your application denial was due to missing information or contradictory information in your application. The CRA calls this a ‘request for redetermination’ or a ‘second review’. You are asking the CRA to review your application. You will need to gather more medical information and send it to support your application.

Even though there is no deadline to request a review, contact the CRA as soon as possible. The CRA can refuse your request if you take too long.

Option 2: File an objection

If you believe that CRA should have approved your application and that no additional information is needed, you can file an objection. This is a formal process to dispute the CRA’s decision. You have 90 days from the date on your notice of determination to file an objection.

You can file your objection to the Chief of Appeals online through MyAccount, by mail, or by fax. If your objection is successful, it means that a different person at the CRA will review your application again.

If CRA denies your request for a review, you can still file an appeal with the Tax Court of Canada.

You should consult an experienced advocate, accountant, or lawyer to help you with this process. Reach out to the Advocacy Access program at Disability Alliance BC, 604-872-1278 (toll-free 1-800-663-1278). Or go to the PovNet website. Click ‘Find an Advocate’.

Option 3: Reapply for the Disability Tax Credit

The CRA will consider a new application if:

• the circumstances of your disability change or
• you have new evidence they did not consider in a previous application.

Make sure that your new application includes medical information to support your eligibility.

You can reapply at any time.

Follow these steps for your denial options

Step 1: Gather all your documents

Get a complete copy of the application you submitted, including any additional questionnaires that your doctor sent on your behalf. This will help speed up the process for the following steps.

If you do not have a complete copy of your application, you can call CRA and ask that they mail you a copy.

Step 2: Reach out to an advocate

Reach out to an advocate who can help you figure out why your application was denied and guide you on the steps to take next.

Here are some reasons why an application might be denied:

The application is incomplete: You may have missing or incomplete information on your application. Some doctors are not familiar with the eligibility criteria for the Disability Tax Credit. Others may not be motivated to fill out the form on your behalf.

There are inconsistencies in the medical information: There might be conflicting evidence about your medical condition or the restrictions in your ability to function. Sometimes the CRA sends you or your doctor follow-up questions after you have applied. If the information sent in response is not consistent with your application form, the CRA can deny the application.

There is not enough information about how your impairment affects your ‘activities of daily living’: This means your doctor needs to describe in more detail how your impairment affects how you function from day to day. If you are living with more than one impairment, your doctor needs to describe their ‘cumulative effects’ – how they all work together to disable you.

The duration or severity of your impairments do not meet the requirements: ‘Duration’ means the CRA will not approve your application if your impairments are diagnosed less than 12 months before applying. Also, the CRA will not approve your application if your impairments are not severe. It defines ‘severe’ as impairments that affect your ability to perform the basic functions of daily living 90% of the time or more.

Step 3: Decide on the best next step for you

If there are inconsistencies with your medical diagnosis: There might be conflicting evidence about your medical condition or the restrictions in your ability to function. Contact your medical practitioners to ensure that your medical diagnosis is consistent between them and any of your other benefit applications.

If there is not enough information about your impairment: Ask the CRA to reconsider your application. You will need to talk to your doctor and ask them to give additional information. They must clearly describe how your impairments affect your activities of daily living. Use Access RDSP’s Disability Tax Credit Tool to help you describe your impairment. It will compile your responses into a document that you can take to your doctor.

If the duration or severity of your impairment does not meet the requirements: You would not qualify for the Disability Tax Credit at this time, but you may want to apply again in the future if your condition persists and gets worse.

If your medical situation has changed or your doctor has changed: Reapply for the DTC. Reapply for the DTC anytime.

Step 4: Reapply, reconsider, or file an objection

If you decide to ask CRA to review your application:

Contact the CRA in writing and ask for a Request for Redetermination. You will need to provide more supporting documents from your medical practitioner. These must be documents that you have not already sent, such as updated medical reports or a letter from your medical practitioner.

You have one year to complete this process. Find an advocate to help you. Contact the Advocacy Access program at Disability Alliance BC, 604-872-1278 (toll-free 1-800-663-1278). Or go to the PovNet website. Click ‘Find an Advocate’.

If you decide to file a formal objection

You have 90 days from the date on your notice of determination to file an objection. In your letter to the Chief of Appeals, explain why you object to the decision in your notice of determination.

You should consult an experienced advocate, accountant, or lawyer to help you with this formal process. Reach out to an advocate for help by contacting the Advocacy Access program at Disability Alliance BC, 604-872-1278 (toll-free 1-800-663-1278). Or go to the PovNet website. Click ‘Find an Advocate’.

If you decide to reapply

Get a new Disability Tax Credit application form and reapply.

Do not be discouraged if you are denied again

There is no limit to how many times you can reapply for the Disability Tax Credit.

I need help with my denial

Disability Alliance B.C.

Find an advocate to help you. Contact Access RDSP program at Disability Alliance BC.
Local 604-872-1278 | Toll Free 1-800-663-1278 | email rdsp@disabilityalliancebc.org. Or go to the PovNet website. Click 'Find an Advocate'.

BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society

If you are an Indigenous person in British Columbia, contact BCANDS for free one-on-one support with the Disability Tax Credit and the Registered Disability Savings Plan.

Local 250-381-7303 | Toll Free 1-888-815-5511 (TTY Accessible) | bcands@bcands.bc.ca

Plan Institute

You can contact the Plan Institute for free one-on-one support to guide you through the process of applying for the Disability Tax Credit. Toll Free helpline 1-844-311-7526 | email info@rdsp.com

Canada Revenue Agency – Individual tax inquiries line

You can call the CRA to ask questions or discuss your Disability Tax Credit application.

Within Canada or the United States, call 1-800-959-8281.

From anywhere else, collect call 613-940-8495. Contact your service provider or operator to initiate the collect call. You may hear a beep and experience a normal connection delay.

If you use a teletypewriter, call 1-800-665-0354 during regular hours of service.