The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) can seem daunting but we’re here to help!
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Read more about RDSP Awareness Month here: https://www.rdsp.com/rdsp-awareness-month/
When working with our advocates on Disability Tax Credit applications, clients sometimes ask if the application process will be impacted if they have recently changed their name and gender markers, or they intend to do so during the application process.
Adrienne Smith is a transgender human rights activist and social justice lawyer. They represent transgender people, sex workers, employees, people who use drugs, and those experiencing over policing in the context of healthcare. They have written a brief information piece addressing these kinds of questions:
“As with any legal matter, a legal name change will not have any impact at all, provided the applicant can prove a continuity of entitlement. Usually this is done by showing a copy of the Change of Name Certificate issued by the Vital Statistics Agency when a name change application is processed. This is a 6”x 8” piece of paper with a red border. It should come in the mail. This document shows that a person is the same person they were before they changed their name.
For some applicants who did name changes under the old system which required a court hearing, documents issued by the court will achieve the same result as the Change of Name Certificate in establishing that the new name describes the same person.
For people with an active application at the time they change their name, there should be no impact on their application.
The punchline: Changing your name and gender should not affect your RDSP or any other legal, tax, or immigration application, provided you have your certificate to show that you are still you.
If you’re looking for advice on the name and gender change application process, it’s available here:
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Since 1977, Disability Alliance BC has been a provincial, cross-disability voice in British Columbia. Our mission is to promote a more inclusive and equitable society for people with all disabilities through direct services, community partnerships, systemic advocacy, research, and publications.
We acknowledge and have deep gratitude to work together on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Selíl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations of the Coast Salish people. We honour the many territorial keepers of the lands.
DABC is a proud member of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD)and BC Poverty Reduction Coalition.
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