Beverley is a 22-year-old who has Crohns Disease. She was diagnosed with her condition 4 years earlier, though was symptomatic for 6 years prior to her diagnosis. Prior to her diagnosis and treatment, she was having 10-15 bowel functions a day, with very loose and uncontrolled bowel movements, often taking a lot of time in the washroom each occurrence. After her condition was diagnosed and treated, her medications and treatments helped to improve her symptoms, though she continued to have frequent bowel functions each day, at about 5-10 per day. She had some periods of time she was less symptomatic and others where her condition flared. On average she found that she was having 5-8 bowel movements per day, and taking more time to attend to each movement.
Beverley’s gastroenterologist did not feel that she qualified for the DTC, stating she needed to be “disabled” in order to qualify. She came to us for help. We explained to her that the DTC criteria are clear, that a patient who requires “three times” longer to perform their bowel and/or bladder functions can qualify. As long as they have had these restrictions/symptoms for at least 12 continuous months within any of the last 10 years, they can qualify. We further explained that a healthy person arguably has one bowel movement, spending less than 5 minutes per day to perform. Three times that amount, as per the DTC definitions then, is 3 times per day and over 15 minutes to qualify. So, being that Beverley was experiencing 5-10 bowel movements per day, taking over 30 minutes or more per day, she readily met the DTC qualifying requirements. We helped prepare her case, explained her case to her and her doctor in detail, and her doctor agreed she qualified, completed her DTC applications forms accurately, and she was approved for the full 10 years, and for future years. She and her parents received a total of $26,332 for the DTC and an additional $16,349 from the Child Disability Benefit. Being for some of the years Beverley was under 18 years of age, the DTC benefit amount was higher, and her parents could also claim on her behalf for years she was under 18 years of age.
Sharon, another client who had taken more time in the washroom tending to her bowel function needs, in her case was constipated. She spent more than three times longer than an average person attempting to have a bowel movement. This was often accompanied by significant pain and/or discomfort, where her attempts to have a movement were to alleviate her discomfort. So, although she did not actually have bowel movements each day, she spent time attempting to do so each day resulting in taking up her time. Thus she qualified for the DTC.
Harold who woke two to three times per night, and regularly used his bladder about every hour or so during the day also qualified for the DTC. Similar to bowel movements, it only need be established that he is using his bladder three times more often than an average person. Being that most people use their bladder every three hours or so, such as morning, noon, afternoon, dinner time, evening and before bed, 5-6 times per day, three times that would amount to 15 bladder functions or so per day. Based on that frequency being equivalent to “three times” longer, Harold qualified for the DTC.
Common medical conditions that can cause increased bowel functions qualify for the DTC:
Crohns, Colitis, IBS, Celiac Disease, Cancer, Tumours, Stress, Mental Illness, Hypothyroidism, Diabetes, Uremia, Hypercalcemia, Diverticular Disease, Outlet Dysfunction Constipation. Neurologic Disorders, Spinal cord injury, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Stroke, Lazy Bowel Syndrome, Intestinal Obstruction, Structural defects, Fistula, colonic atresia, volvulus.
Common medical conditions that can cause increased bladder functions qualify for the DTC:
Anterior prolapse (cystocele), Anxiety disorders, Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), Bladder stones, change in kidney function, Diabetes insipidus, Diuretics (water retention relievers), Interstitial cystitis (also called painful bladder syndrome), Kidney disorders/infection, Overactive bladder, Prostatitis (infection or inflammation of the prostate), Radiation treatment affecting the pelvis or lower abdomen, Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, Urethral stricture (narrowing of the urethra), Urinary incontinence, Urinary tract infection (UTI).
Be sure to take our Free Instant Online DTC Assessment to determine whether you may qualify, for which number of years, and the benefit amount available for your specific case, for past and future years. Remember it absolutely FREE! CLICK HERE FOR YOUR FREE DTC ASSESSMENT.
