Note: Items 1- 13 are copied from the Canada Revenue Agency website (05/05/07). For detailed information and for forms go to www.cra-arc.gc.ca and search using the program titles in bold below:
1) Apply for federal Disability Tax Credit. Canada Revenue Agency
The Disability Tax Credit may be claimed by parents caring for a dependent child with a severe and prolonged mental or physical impairment that markedly restricts ability to perform basic activity of daily living, as certified by a medical practitioner. It is a nonrefundable tax credit to be applied against basic federal tax. In order to apply, the person with the disability or their representative (parent) must fill out the Disability Tax Credit Certificate.
www.cra-arc.gc.ca
2) Apply for federal Child Disability Benefit (CDB). Canada Revenue Agency
The Child Disability Benefit (CDB) is a tax-free monthly benefit for families who care for a child under age 18 with a severe and prolonged impairment in mental or physical functions. As a result of changes in how the CDB rate is calculated, nearly all families with Disability Tax Credit-eligible children will receive the CDB, effective July 2006. The Child Disability Benefit is applied to separately from the Disability Tax Credit.
www.cra-arc.gc.ca
3) Apply for federal Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB). Canada Revenue Agency
The Canada Child Tax Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment made to low- and modest-income families to help them with the cost of raising children under age 18. The CCTB payment may include benefits from two other programs for eligible families:
- Child Disability Benefit (CDB): Families who are eligible for Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) for a child will receive the Child Disability Benefit only if the child also qualifies for the disability amount, also known as the Disability Tax Credit.
- National Child Benefit Supplement (NCBS): provides extra support to low-income families with children by topping up monthly payments received under the CCTB system.
www.cra-arc.gc.ca
4) Apply for provincial Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit.
- The Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit (NLCB) is a non-taxable amount paid monthly to help low-income families with the cost of raising children under the age of 18.
- The Mother Baby Nutrition Supplement (MBNS) is an additional benefit paid to qualifying families who have children under the age of one. Benefits are combined with the CCTB into a single monthly payment. . For more information, call 1-800-387-1193.
5) Start a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). Canada Revenue Agency
The Registered Disability Savings Plan is a new federal plan that will allow funds to be invested tax-free until withdrawal. It is intended to help parents and others to save for the long-term financial security of a child with a disability. The plan structure is similar to a Registered Education Savings Plan. Contributions to an RDSP will be eligible for the new Canada Disability Savings Grant. There is also a new Canada Disability Savings Bond for individuals with lower family net incomes. These programs will come into effect in 2008. Check Canada Revenue Agency website for updates.
www.cra-arc.gc.ca
6) Apply for Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB). Canada Revenue Agency
The Universal Child Care Credit provides direct financial support to families with children under the age of 6 years. It is paid in installments of $100 per month per child.
You enroll for the UCCB through the Canada Child Tax Benefit application.
www.cra-arc.gc.ca
7) Apply for Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) credit for children under 19. Canada Revenue Agency
The GST/HST credit is a tax-free quarterly payment that helps individuals and families with low and modest incomes offset all or part of the GST or HST that they pay. Your child is already registered for the GST/HST credit if you have applied for the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) for your child. If you have not applied for the CCTB for your child, or if you have another child or a child starts to live with you, you need to register that child for the GST/HST credit by completing Form RC66, Canada Child Tax Benefit Application. Please note that you cannot register a child who is in foster care.
www.cra-arc.gc.ca
8) Apply for Medical Expenses Tax Credit. Canada Revenue Agency
The Medical Expenses Tax Credit allows individuals with a disability or their representatives to claim a nonrefundable tax credit to be applied against basic federal tax.. Complete information about the items which can be claimed and for which receipts must be kept is available online in "Medical and Disability Related Information"
www.cra-arc.gc.ca
9) Apply for Refundable Medical Expense Supplement. Canada Revenue Agency
The Refundable Medical Expense Supplement is a refundable tax credit available to low income working Canadians with above average medical expenses.
www.cra-arc.gc.ca
10) Apply for the incremental costs of purchasing gluten free (GF) products. Canada Revenue Agency
Persons with celiac disease may apply for the incremental costs of purchasing gluten free (GF) products as an eligible medical expense.
www.cra-arc.gc.ca
11) Apply for Child Care Expense Deduction. Canada Revenue Agency
Child care expenses incurred for the purpose of earning income or attending school may be deducted to predetermined amounts for children under 7, and children between the ages of 7-16. However, the age limit does not apply if the child was dependent on you or your spouse or common-law partner and was mentally or physically infirm.
www.cra-arc.gc.ca
12) Apply for Disability Supports Deduction. Canada Revenue Agency
Persons with impairment in physical or mental functions may be able to deduct certain disability supports expenses incurred in the year to work, go to school, or to do paid research. Eligible expenses include services or devices such as Bliss symbol boards, voice recognition software, deaf-blind intervening services, full-time attendant care services and others.
www.cra-arc.gc.ca
13) Apply for Caregiver Amount. Canada Revenue Agency
If you live with a relative of yours, or your spouse or common-law partner's, who is dependent on you because of a physical or mental infirmity, and who is 18 or older you may be eligible for the caregiver amount.
www.cra-arc.gc.ca
Note: You can request a speaker from your local tax office to address your parent group, agency or organization on disability tax related information.
14) Apply for financial assistance to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) for Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program for Persons with Disabilities.
CMHC offers financial assistance to homeowners and landlords to undertake accessibility work to modify dwellings occupied or intended for occupancy by low income persons with disabilities.
www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/
15) Apply to Cross Lifecycle Programs, Disability Services. Health & Community Services, Newfoundland & Labrador.
Disability Related Programs/Services are delivered by six regional Health and Community Services/Integrated Boards and services. Availability varies according to regional requirements. Direct Home Services, Community Behavioral Services and other programs are part of Disability Services.
http://www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/divisions/pgmpolicy/default.htm#cyfs
16) Check Medical Care Plan (MCP) Department of Health and Community Services, Newfoundland.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Care Plan (MCP) is a comprehensive plan of medical care insurance. Eligible residents receive coverage under the Medical Care Plan, the Dental Health Plan, and the Hospital Insurance Plan. Check with MCP for coverage of unusual expenses such as behavioural therapies, oxygen tanks, dental and optometric services before initiating services and for travel coverage.
http://www.gov.nf.ca/mcp/
17) Check out your private medical and life insurance policies.
Check your private policies for coverage of additional expenses such as therapies, medical equipment, assistive devices and travel coverage. Find out if your dependent family member is subjected to age limitations and if your coverage will be affected by job changes or moving to another province.
Check the following sites for consumer information:
18) Apply for Parking Permits. Motor Registration, Government Services, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Designated Mobility Impaired Parking Permit Program provides Identification Permits for vehicles regularly used for the transportation of persons with disabilities.
http://www.gs.gov.nl.ca/gs/mr/dimpp.stm
19) Self refer to Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority (APSEA).
APSEA provides educational services, programs, transition planning and opportunities for children and youth (birth to 21) who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, blind, or visually impaired. Services are provided to preschools and schools and include parent education workshops.
http://www.apsea.ca/
21) Inquire about educational services for students with special needs. Department of Education, Newfoundland & Labrador.
22) Contact Federal Office of Disability Issues (ODI).
The ODI is a source of information for federal programs and initiatives and reports and documents on disability issues.
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/top_nav/program/odi.shtml
23) Get ready ahead of time for the transition from childhood to adulthood.
In Newfoundland and Labrador the age of majority is 19. A person who has reached the age of 19, including a child with special needs, is considered to be competent and capable of directing and looking after his or her own affairs unless declared incompetent by the courts. They are legal adults and their parents are no longer their legal guardians without acquiring legal guardianship through the courts. If your child is dependent on others for assistance in personal care and decision making due to a developmental disability, chronic mental illness, acquired brain injury, or other difficulties you may wish to obtain legal advice concerning guardianship and power of attorney. You may need guardianship or power of attorney in order to manage your child's health care, finances, and housing.
