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
In 2014, the government of BC declared October RDSP Awareness Month to help raise awareness about the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) and its prerequisite, the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).
The RDSP was created by the federal government as a long-term savings plan for people with disabilities and their families. Eligible people can benefit from an RDSP even if they cannot put any money into the plan and it will not affect their other disability benefits. 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 – even with little to no personal contributions.
We’ve just launched our updated DTC tool, now called “My DTC”, to help people get the process started. Check it out here! We will be joining our Access RDSP partners in hosting online “Ask the Experts” webinars on the DTC and RDSP. Register for the October 9th session here or the October 30th session here. We are also introducing the DTC Medical Fees Fund—a fundraiser to help people cover the cost of out-of-pocket medical fees when applying for the DTC.
You can also find information at https://www.rdsp.com/supports-and-services/access_rdsp about Access RDSP, a partnership between DABC, Plan Institute and BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS). Access RDSP provides free year-round support on the RDSP and DTC.
Follow us this month on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to see everything we are doing to celebrate. And use #RDSPAwarenessMonth when you’re talking about RDSP Awareness Month!
Thank you for all your support in spreading awareness about the RDSP this RDSP Awareness Month!
To close out the month, we have updated our infographic on the other benefits of the Disability Tax Credit. The infographic is below, and for accessibility purposes we have described the infographic directly below it.
You may know that being approved for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) can enable you to open a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). But did you know about the other benefits and credits it can help you access?
Contact DABC’s Access RDSP Staff at Local: 604-872-1278, Toll-free: 1-800-663-1278 or rdsp@disabilityalliancebc.org.
If you’re employed The DTC will allow you to claim: Up to $737 through the supplement to Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) (Image: A graphic of a person with blonde hair sitting in a wheelchair, flying a banner that says “Hired.”
If you have children the DTC can help you claim:
The Disability Amount for Children
The Child Disability Benefit amount of $3,173
Increased child care deductions
Age limit extension to Children’s Fitness and Art amount (no longer available after 2016, but may be claimed for the previous year) (Image: graphic of a mother sitting cross-legged, holding her baby)
If you own a home you may be eligible for:
Home Buyer’s Amount of up to $10,000! People with DTC do not have to be first-time home buyers
The Home Accessibility Tax Credit, which covers certain expenses concerning accessibility-related renovations (Image: Graphic of a standalone house)
If you have medical or caregiver expenses the DTC can allow you to claim:
Certain medical expenses (can also claim a Disability Supports Deduction) e.g. Attendant Care Services
Caregiver Credit: People with DTC do not have to provide another supporting document from medical practitioners
If you have a trust the DTC might help you save on the taxes you pay on your earnings through:
Eligibility for qualified disability trust status
Preferred beneficiary election option
If you’re a full-time student the DTC can allow you to claim:
Certain education-related benefits (Image: graduation cap and diploma)
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