Grant: Project Grant

The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is a federal tax measure that helps offset the extra costs of living with a significant and long-term disability. It also serves as the gateway to other major supports, including the new Canada Disability Benefit, the Registered Disability Savings Plan, and the Child Disability Benefit. Yet, fewer than 40% of eligible Canadians receive it. Barriers occur at three levels: Healthcare providers face knowledge gaps, misconceptions, and administrative burdens that can lead to refusals to complete forms. Applicants struggle with complex paperwork, repeated documentation requests, and high rates of denial, which add stress and discourage uptake. System-level inequities mean Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, linguistic minorities, and rural/Northern residents are less likely to access the credit. Although these challenges are well-documented, no research has combined population-level data with co-designed, user-centred solutions and real-world testing. This evidence gap is especially pressing as Canada advances commitments under the Accessible Canada Act, the Disability Inclusion Action Plan, and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. With new federal priorities, including the Canada Disability Benefit (Budget 2024), there is now a unique policy window for reform. Our project will improve equitable DTC access by integrating national data with lived experience from people with disabilities, healthcare providers, and policymakers. Together, we will co-design and test practical solutions, including provider training, simplified navigation supports, and policy reform tools. The expected results are increased uptake, reduced disparities, and scalable models that can be applied to other disability benefits. By addressing barriers at multiple levels, this research will deliver actionable, evidence-based change to improve financial security and advance disability rights in Canada.