For many Canadians with disabilities, applying for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) can be an important first step toward accessing financial supports and programs. However, there are often barriers to easy access, including financial barriers. 

The Canada Revenue Agency confirms that applicants are responsible for any fees their medical practitioner charges to complete a DTC application. While those fees may be claimable as a medical expense on a tax return, that does not help those who need to pay the bill today. For someone living with a disability, that upfront cost can be enough to make an already complicated process even harder. 

In 2026, the federal government introduced a new $150 supplemental Canada Disability Benefit payment intended to help offset the cost of obtaining the DTC. This is an important step toward recognizing that the cost of obtaining medical certification can be a barrier. However, the payment is not available for everyone who applies for or receives the DTC. The $150 supplemental payment is only available for people approved for the DTC who also qualify for the Canada Disability Benefit monthly payment. 

There are Canadians who may qualify for the DTC but not the Canada Disability Benefit because of the CDB’s eligibility requirements. For those people, the cost of having a medical practitioner complete the application remains an out-of-pocket expense. This is the gap we at Disability Alliance BC are aiming to address. 

We’re relaunching our DTC Medical Fees Fund to help reduce one of the financial barriers that stand between a person and the support they may be entitled to access. No one should need to abandon the DTC application process because they can’t afford the medical practitioner fee. Our DTC Medical Fees Fund is designed to help address this gap.  

We’re asking our community, supporters, organizations, professionals, and donors to help us build this fund. Every contribution helps remove the financial barrier from someone trying to access the DTC, and your donation can help someone take that next step. 

$25 can help us begin building a fund that is there when someone needs it. 

$50 can help offset part of a medical practitioner’s fee. 

$100 can make a meaningful contribution toward helping someone complete their DTC application. 

$250 or more can help us support multiple applicants. 

You can also help us spread the word about this fund to your friends, families, and networks. Together we can help remove the financial barriers that stand between Canadians and the supports available to them. 

Donate here (scroll to the bottom of the page).