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!
Disability Alliance BC is updating our Disability Tax Credit (DTC) tool to make the application process easier for everyone, and we would like to hear from you! We’re still seeking participants for our focus group – we invite you to test out our new updated DTC tool and give us feedback on how to make the tool useful and accessible to you.
The DTC is an important benefit that reduces taxes and provides access to important tax related benefits like the Child Disability Benefit, Canada Worker’s Benefit Disability Supplement, and financial programs like the Registered Disability Savings Plan, Canada Dental Care Plan (June 2024), and Canada Disability Benefit (2025).
Honoraria provided in the form of gift cards.
Email rdsp@dabc.ca to find out more information and express your interest in joining.
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)
Recent tax cuts in BC and across Canada were meant to ease financial pressure for Canadians. However, for many low-income individuals, particularly for people with disabilities, these policy changes are having the opposite effect.
