Tara is a 62 year old client, who had been diagnosed with moderate arthritis which primarily effected her shoulders, arms, wrists, hands. Being that her work and her previous sports activities required repeated upper body effort, her upper body arthritis was most prominent. She could walk at a regular pace, though at times required her to reduce her walking activities, her upper body was most restricted. She was able to lift and carry things, to bend over, and generally take care of her daily needs and chores, but did find that preparing meals was more difficult and taking her longer. Straining spaghetti, peeling potatoes, lifting pots and pans, carrying plates and serving dishes was more difficult and somewhat painful. She began cooking less, preparing easier quicker meals, or ordering food in.
She had never heard of the DTC and found information about the DTC online on BMD Services website and decided to give us a call. We assessed her condition and agreed with her that she is taking more time to prepare foods, and that it was equivalent to three times longer than an average person. She asked about the “Feeding” category listed in the DTC Certificate, application form, and we explained that either Feeding and/or Food Preparation can be considered.
We applied for the DTC for her, her claim was initially denied, and we helped her doctor to write a letter to Canada Revenue Agency providing additional medical information and examples of Tara’s daily food preparation restrictions, how she was slowed and refraining from cooking, which was then provided to CRA and her claim was approved for the past 5 years. She received just over $9,000, and continues to be credited/refunded almost $2,000 per year for future years at income tax filing season.
Lance a 34 year-old client who had been involved in a work accident 9 years prior, which injured both of his wrists, reported that he was taking more time to prepare foods, though his partner most often did the home cooking. He never applied for the DTC because he thought because he rarely prepared the home meals, he would not qualify. We explained to Lance that it is not a requirement that they be the main food preparer in the household in order to qualify, and that when and if preparing meals, he would take three times longer than an average person, when he did. He explained that he would indeed take this additional time if he prepared meals. We then assisted him with presenting this information to his doctor, and showing that the Feeding/Food Preparation function stated on the DTC Certificate (the application form), could be either Feeding or Food Preparation or both, and that “when” Lance prepared meals he explained that he indeed would take an “inordinate” amount of time, more specifically, three times longer than an average person.
His doctor originally disagreed and stated that they felt the “Feeding” section of the DTC Certificate was exclusively for patients who could not feed themselves. We directed the doctor to read that section in more detail and pointed out the definition that stated “food preparation” is also considered. We then explained in more detail that the “inordinate amount of time” definition allowed doctors to support claims that were not “severe” but rather “moderate”, that patients need not be “unable” to prepare their meals, but instead simply required more time to do so. The doctor observed these definitions within the DTC Certificate and agreed to support Lance’s claim. He was approved for 9 years, and received $17,389 in DTC benefits.
Common medical conditions that can cause slowed food preparation and/or feeding and qualify for the DTC:
COPD, Lung/Breathing Disorders, Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Stenosis, Tendonitis, Club Foot, Hip Problems, Hip Replacement, Knee Replacement, Foot Injury, Ankle Injury, Knee Injury, Hip Injury, hand/wrist/elbow/shoulder/back injury or disorders, Multiple Sclerosis, Diabetes, Sleep Apnea, Age Related ailments, Asthma (moderate to severe), Cancer, Fibromyalgia, Heart Attack, Stroke, Ataxia, Balance/Inner Ear Restrictions, Dizziness, Vertigo, affective disorders and psychiatric conditions, cardiovascular diseases, infection and metabolic diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, neurologic disorders, sensory abnormalities, medications, and many, many, more.
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.
