Today, October 1st, marks the beginning of RDSP Awareness Month! In 2014, the government of BC declared October RDSP Awareness Month to help raise awareness about the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). The RDSP is the world’s first savings plan specifically designed for people with disabilities.
The RDSP is particularly revolutionary because people who are eligible for the RDSP can benefit even if they cannot put any money into the plan or can contribute very little. Individuals 49 and under who qualify for the RDSP may be eligible for government grants and bonds, which can total up to $90,000 over the lifetime of the RDSP—and, in BC, it will not affect other disability benefits.
To open an RDSP, you must be found eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). More people would qualify than you might think.
Do you have difficulty with either walking, eating, making meals, getting dressed, speaking, hearing, seeing, using the toilet, or with mental functioning? Or do you need a type of therapy to help keep you alive? If so, watch this space and follow us on social media to learn more about how you might be eligible.
Throughout October we’ll be posting about all things RDSP and DTC, including:
Access RDSP’S two upcoming “Ask the Experts” online sessions: Disability Tax Credit and Tax Topics on the DTC (October 22nd) and the RDSP and Financial Planning (October 27th)
Our DTC Medical Fees Fund, through which we aim to lessen financial barriers people may experience to applying for the DTC
The DTC and the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB)
The DTC and its other benefits
If you need help with the Disability Tax Credit:
BC Residents: Contact Access DTC at dtc@dabc.ca or 604-923-8136
DABC is hiring for two positions within our Access DTC Program. Find out more below and see the full job postings on our Careers page.
We are committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and equitable workplace which is representative of the community we serve. We welcome those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of inclusion, anti-ableism, anti-racism and reconciliation. Applications are encouraged from members of groups that are historically disadvantaged and underrepresented, including Indigenous persons, and people of all sexual orientations, gender expressions and identities. People with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply. Accommodations are available during the hiring process, upon request.
DTC Community Advocate
Open: August 1, 2025 Closes: August 22, 2025 Location: Vancouver, BC Category: Community and Social Services Job Type: Full-time, One-year fixed term Salary: $54,000
The Access DTC program provides direct support through the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) and related benefits including the Child Disability Benefit, Canada Disability Benefit and Registered Disability Savings Plan to promote financial literacy and financial security for people with disabilities in British Columbia. Access to the DTC and related benefits has become more relevant, as many people with disabilities will need the DTC to apply for the Canada Disability Benefit. We are seeking advocates passionate about social justice issues to join our dynamic team and help grow our impact in BC and beyond.
Job Description – Community Advocate
You will join a team of advocates, working one-on-one with people with disabilities to provide in-depth support through the DTC and associated benefits, and helping people claim the DTC by filing their income taxes. You will help raise awareness about DTC through the development of strategic partnerships and community outreach. You are also an active team member, able to contribute to the additional administrative responsibilities associated with the day-to-day operation of the program.
Vancouver Island Community Advocate | Access DTC Program
Post Open: August 1, 2025 Post Closes: August 22, 2025, 4:30pm Location: Vancouver Island, BC Category: Community and Social Services Job Type: Contractor (3 days/week) Term: Until March 31, 2026, with possibility of extension Salary: $34/hour Report to: Vancouver Island Community Engagement Specialist, Director-Access DTC Program, Disability Alliance BC
Project Background
Through a new RDSP initiative, the Access DTC program works to reduce poverty and barriers to long-term financial stability for people with disabilities living on Vancouver Island. The RDSP is a long-term savings plan designed to help people with disabilities access significant financial savings for their future. The successful candidate will help to increase access to the DTC, RDSP, and other related benefits by raising awareness about the program and supporting people across Vancouver Island communities to navigate through the application process.
Duties & Responsibilities
Under the supervision of DABC’s Access DTC Program Director and Vancouver Island Community Engagement Specialist, the Community Advocate will:
Provide one-on-one support (remote and in person) for people with disabilities to apply for the DTC and related benefits. Direct services will include facilitating mobile clinics across Vancouver Island and will require access to a motor vehicle to travel across Vancouver Island
Reach out to the community using a variety of means including developing educational materials, delivering of virtual and in-person workshops, establishing new community partnerships to improve DTC/RDSP uptake for people with disabilities on Vancouver Island
Create and deliver training modules to community service providers as well as health, educational, and financial professionals on the DTC/RDSP/related benefits to build capacity for sustained support within local communities
Work closely with Access DTC program partners, the Island Health Authority (IHA), and community partners by attending regular internal team meetings and meetings with partners.
People with disabilities should not have to pay money to access social and financial supports.
DABC is excited to announce the opening of applications for the DTC Medical Fees Fund to residents of BC from April 17 to May 17! We announced the launch of this Fund last October during RDSP Awareness Month and are sincerely grateful to those who have contributed to the fund thus far. This fund is to help cover charges by medical practitioners for assistance with the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) application for individuals who face financial barriers to applying. The DTC is a crucial financial benefit meant to reduce the taxes someone with a disability or their supporting family members owe, as well as provide access to numerous financial programs such as the Canada Workers Benefit Disability Supplement, Child Disability Benefit, Canada Dental Care Plan, and Registered Disability Savings Plan. There is also the new Canada Disability Benefit that is coming this July, which will be available to low-income individuals with the DTC.
The paperwork required by medical practitioners can be lengthy and there is no current regulation on the cost that they can charge for this paperwork. For those living in poverty, this added financial burden can prevent them from accessing the benefit.
Who is Eligible
This fund is eligible to residents of BC only. You can apply to this fund if you have been charged or expect to be charged a medical fee to apply for the DTC on or after October 1, 2024.
As the purpose of this fund is to provide those who are low-income with the financial support they need to apply for the DTC, eligibility will be determined by two factors:
Current income level
Why you need help from this fund
We encourage all to apply, but preference will be given to those who face financial barriers applying for the DTC.
Proof of income is accepted in a variety of ways including but not limited to: previous tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, proof of PWD Designation, proof of social assistance.
Once qualified applicants are selected, we will also request proof that you have paid or will be charged a medical practitioner fee. As funding is limited, we anticipate we will not be able to fund all those eligible. We will assess and approve applications in the order that they come in.
Applications will be accepted from April 15, 2025 until May 15, 2025.
Applications will be accepted on a first come first serve basis.
If it is not possible for you to apply online, or if you need any assistance with the application, you can call (604)923-8136 or email dtc@dabc.ca for assistance.
Please note, this fund is rolling, and we are looking to continue to raise more money to support applications. We will accept applications again once there is more funding available. Follow us on social media to keep updated when applications are open again.
Read "DABC's Trailblazing Advocate Looks Back", an article by Robin Loxton, which originally appeared in the edition of DABC’s Transition magazine, Following Their Path: How
