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
Disability Alliance BC (DABC) is excited to announce the launch of our updated Disability Tax Credit (DTC) online app, now called “My DTC”, which can help people with disabilities across Canada to more easily access the DTC and its related benefits. Check out the app here.
Why the DTC is important
The DTC has always been one of the principal benefits available for people with disabilities. As a non-refundable tax credit, it helps reduce taxes owing. But more importantly, it is also one of the primary ways the federal government recognizes disabled populations in Canada. Over the years, the DTC has been connected to other financial programs like the Canada Workers Benefit Disability Supplement, Child Disability Benefit, Canada Dental Care Plan, and Registered Disability Savings Plan. In July 2025, DTC recipients with lower incomes will be able to access up to $200/month through the anticipated Canada Disability Benefit. Altogether, applying for the DTC can mean hundreds or even thousands of dollars to put towards immediate needs and/or future savings, depending on individual circumstances.
Most people eligible for the DTC do not have it yet
The DTC continues to be underutilized due to significant barriers to access. Some people do not know about the benefit, while others do not know that they can qualify. Applying for the DTC can feel overwhelming and can even be financially or administratively burdensome.
Last year, DABC sent out a survey out to the community to share their thoughts about applying for the DTC. Some of the feedback we heard was:
“It would be good to have a website of personal experiences of applying for and getting DTC.”
“My medical practitioner did not think I would qualify but I did.”
“Doctors need assistance in filling out the paperwork [to understand what] information is required…and how to explain [their] patient’s disability as many are not obvious or simple to explain”
“The form that my GP filled out was very confusing for him. I ended up writing sections on how the disability affected my daily living based on the sections of the form”
“I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for someone who doesn’t have experience with documents, or a condition that limits them from persisting”
“The opportunity to connect with others who have applied and providing medical practitioners with tools [would be] very valuable”
At DABC, we believe people should get the financial supports to which they are entitled. With this feedback, we were able to create an online app to make the application process a little bit easier.
How to use the “My DTC” app
Our new “My DTC” app is a tool created for your individual experience. It features different guides and tools that can help someone get the application process started.
Handbook for individuals: this guide will help applicants learn more about the DTC, its benefits and how to apply.
Handbook for medical practitioners: we recognize that misconceptions about the application process in the healthcare sector mean a lot of eligible people with disabilities are unable to apply. This guide walks through the application process for medical practitioners, so they can learn more about the DTC, how their patients may qualify, and how to help patients apply.
Restrictions Questionnaire Tool: there are a number of reasons why medical practitioners may not have all the information about their patients’ daily restrictions. People can prepare their applications by answering a detailed questionnaire about their restrictions. The tool will generate a custom PDF letter that medical practitioners can include as a supplement to an application, or as information to include on the form.
“My Tasks” Tool: remembering all the steps required to complete the DTC application process can feel daunting. This tool helps someone create a checklist that they can save as a PDF or send to themselves as a text to help them keep on track.
Join us for a Lunch and Learn on November 15 at 12:00pm – 1:00pm, where we will walk through the My DTC app step by step.
No matter where you are in the process, DABC can help.
For more information about our programs and supports, email rdsp@dabc.ca.
