The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is a non-refundable tax credit that reduces the amount of income tax you owe. You might know that eligible applicants must be approved for the DTC before gaining access to other benefits, like the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) and the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB). It’s an important benefit—and many people with disabilities face barriers to accessing it because medical practitioners generally charge a fee for filling out their part of the DTC application form.
Last October, during RDSP Awareness Month, we launched our DTC Medical Fees Fund—a mutual aid fund that can help eligible applicants cover their DTC medical certification fees. A big thank you to all who have contributed to the Fund so far! It’s very encouraging to see the DABC community providing this support. We’ve now surpassed the $3,200 mark in total funds raised, with 100% of all funds contributed going directly to cover the cost of DTC applicants’ medical certification fees.
From April 17th-May 17th, we accepted applications for our first round of funding. We had very high interest in the fund! While we weren’t able to cover every applicant’s DTC costs this round, we are renewing our call for support this RDSP Awareness Month. We want to help as many people as we can.
Donations of all amounts are welcome, with every contribution of $100-250 covering approximately one applicant’s fee. Our most generous contribution so far has been from a donor providing $1000 to cover a handful of applicants’ fees. Donations through this fund are such a tangible way to know the personal impact of your gift. To make your contribution today, click the following link and scroll to the bottom of the page: DTC Medical Fees Fund | DABC.
Can’t donate? We’d be very appreciative if you could help spread the word!
The Access RDSP partnership between DABC, Plan Institute and BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS) has had years of experience providing free navigational supports through income tax filing, the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) and other financial planning matters. For RDSP Awareness Month, our team of experts are hosting two “Ask an Expert” sessions, where you can learn and ask any question about the DTC, RDSP, taxes and other financial topics.
Join us again this year:
Ask an Expert Week 1: Disability Tax Credit and Tax Topics
When: Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025, at 12 PM Pacific Time.
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
