Samuel was an active 40-year-old, who played many sports growing up and continued being active into his adulthood. Samuel noticed that as he aged, his previous and numerous sports injuries were catching up to him. He stopped playing recreational hockey a few years earlier, then sometime as time passed he needed to limit the types of sports he played and limited them to playing golf only. He would play only if he had access to a golf cart, as he found walking to be painful after 20 minutes or so. His wife found that without a cart, he would delay their games significantly and encouraged him to use a cart to keep the game at a regular pace. Samuel also found that when going shopping or on casual walks, he would need to walk at a slower pace, though often would push himself to keep up with others. When he had the option, he would either avoid walking all together, or try to limit walks to no more than 5-10 minutes at a time. If he had to walk, he would normally need to take a break every 20 minutes or so. Samuel was diagnosed with mild to moderate arthritis, and regularly took over-the-counter pain and anti-inflammatory medications. His doctor reported that due to his previous injuries, his joints showed signs of premature aging and arthritis, though felt that his walking was not restricted enough to qualify for the DTC.
Samuel’s friend, who we had helped with a similar DTC application, based on slowed walking, referred him to our service for a free DTC Assessment. We explained to Samuel that a person can who is “able” to walk can qualify, that they need only be slowed in walking. The “inordinate amount of time” definition within the DTC application forms states that a person need only be “three times” slower than an average person. We assessed that because he needs to take breaks only after 20 minutes or so of walking, and that his walking pace is somewhat slowed, he meets the “inordinate” criteria, and thus qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit. He explained that he felt his walking began to be slowed to that degree 7 years prior.
From our assessment, Samuel qualified for 7 years, we explained this to him and his doctor, and how the DTC Certificate and follow up DTC form mailed directly to his doctor from Canada Revenue Agency, would need to be completed according to Samuel’s specific case, and helped with submitting these forms to CRA, and his claim was approved, where he received a lump sum of $14,734.
Sherry, a 58-year-old who has COPD, restricting her breathing such that she walked slower, where she walked about “three times” slower than an average person, needing to take frequent breaks when walking, and only able to walk shorter distances, also qualified with our help. She received a full ten-year approval and an income tax credit/refund of $17,554. Because Sherry retired a few years earlier and her annual taxable income was reduced, some years of her DTC approval did not result in her receiving her full DTC benefit, so the “unused portions” where transferred to her husband, resulting in the couple receiving the full benefit that was due.
Common medical conditions that can cause slowed walking 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, 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.
