Disability Benefits Navigation

The GAIN Program (Guidance & Assistance in Navigating Disability Support)

How Vison Loss Rehabilitation Canada can help

Through VLRC’s GAIN Program, our Disability Benefit Navigators are here to assist you, free of charge. Our priority is to ensure that individuals within the GAIN Program achieve successful outcomes and reduce any barriers to accessing benefits. Navigating the application process can be overwhelming; that’s where Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada comes in. Throughout the benefit and tax credit application process, VLRC provides comprehensive and personalized support.

VLRC’s Disability Benefit Navigators provide individualized, case-by-case support to applicants who would like assistance in understanding the entire benefits application process. They can assist you in understanding the disability tax credits available at the federal, provincial, and territorial levels. Additionally, our Disability Benefit Navigators can assist with filing appeals.

VLRC’s Disability Benefit Navigators support includes:

Application assistance for both the DTC and CDB, as well as other federal, provincial and territorial credits and benefits.
Help in navigating the appeals process for denied applications.
Ongoing check-ins to ensure applications are processing and applicants are receiving the support they need.
Assistance with applying for other related benefits after the DTC is approved.

Access VLRC’s GAIN Program

To connect with one of our Disability Benefit Navigators, please complete the Disability Benefits Assistance Referral form.

Disability Benefits Assistance Referral form - Coming Soon.

Email: gain@vlrehab.ca
Toll-free fax: 1-800-939-3846

About the Disability Tax Credit (DTC)

Who is Eligible?

How to Apply

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

About the Disability Tax Credit (DTC)

The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is a non-refundable tax credit that reduces the amount of income tax a person with a severe and long-term disability, or their supporting family members may have to pay.

Even if you are not required to pay income tax, you may need to apply for the DTC and get approval to access other federal programs, such as:

There are two main steps to getting the DTC:

Apply for the credit: you fill out Part A of the DTC application - also called Form T2201. A medical professional like a doctor, nurse practitioner, or other specialist fills out Part B of the application. The medical professional gives more information about the effects of your disability or disabilities.
Claim the credit on your tax return - if your DTC application is approved, you can claim the DTC amount on your tax return.

For more information, please visit DTC on the Government of Canada website.

Who is Eligible?

The DTC is available to people who are:

of all ages
at any income level
a resident of Canada. This is for tax filing purposes, and you do not need to be a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen.
have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN)

To qualify, you must have one (or more) activities of daily living restrictions in:

Vision
Hearing
Speaking
Dressing
Walking
Mental Functioning
Eating or Preparing Food
Using the Toilet

The restriction(s) in activities of daily living must have lasted or be expected to last at least one year. Individuals can also qualify if they spend at least 14 hours per week on therapy that supports a vital function. The therapy also must have lasted or be expected to last at least one year.

How to Apply

You have the option to submit the CDB application either by filling out a printed form or using the online portal. There are two types of DTC applicants:

Individuals applying for themselves
Legal guardian or representative applying on behalf of someone with a disability

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We have compiled a list of questions and answers regarding VLRC’s GAIN Program and the Disability Tax Credit application process to help clarify common concerns, guide applicants through the process, and provide valuable tips for a smoother experience.

I have vision loss. How can I find out if I qualify for the DTC?

What is the T2201?

What is the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB)?

How do I know if I qualify for the CDB?

My application for DTC was denied. Is it possible to appeal the decision?

Does VLRC submit my DTC or CDB application for me?

How much does it cost to use the GAIN Program?

What can I expect after I complete a referral?

Can I apply on behalf of a family member?

I do not have vision loss; can I still access the GAIN Program?

How do I claim the DTC once approved?

I have filed my taxes; can I still apply for the DTC?

My loved one is deceased; can I still apply for the DTC on their behalf?

I have been denied for the DTC multiple times. Is there a limit to how many times I can apply?

Where do I send my application?

Will I have to renew my application for the DTC?

How long does it take to get approval for benefits or tax credits?

I have vision loss. How can I find out if I qualify for the DTC?

To qualify for the Disability Tax Credit for vision, applicants must meet all the following:

The applicant has at least one (1) of the following in both eyes, even after correction.
- Visual acuity is 20/200 (6/60) or less on an eye chart (Snellen or equivalent).
- Field of vision is 20 degrees or less.
The visual impairment is present all the time, or almost all of the time. (90 per cent or more).
The visual impairment has lasted, or is expected to last, for a continuous duration of at least 12 months.

If you have questions around DTC eligibility, please visit the Government of Canada website.

You can also connect with one of our Disability Benefit Navigators by filling out the VLRC Tax Credit Referral form.

What is the T2201?

The T2201 is the form you must fill out to apply for the Disability Tax Credit. The T2201 Disability Tax Credit Certificate can be found on the Canada Revenue Agency website. Part A of the form can be filled out by the individual claiming the credit or their supporting family member.

Once you have filled in Part A of the form, you will need to have a medical practitioner complete Part B of the form. For vision, the following medical professionals are accepted:

medical doctor
nurse practitioner
optometrist

Completed applications can be submitted through your My Service Canada Account or by mail.

If you have additional questions about the T2201, you can visit the How to Apply webpage.

VLRC can assist you with the T2201. Please complete the VLRC Tax Credit Referral form.

What is the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB)?

The Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), managed by Service Canada, provides financial assistance to individuals with disabilities aged 16 to 64.

For more information about the Canada Disability Benefit, visit the Canada Disability Benefit website.

How do I know if I qualify for the CDB?

To qualify for the Canada Disability Benefit, the applicant must:

Between the ages of 18 and 64 years old. If you're outside of these ages, please see the Canada Revenue Agency website for more information.
Be approved for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).
Filed their 2024 federal income tax return, along with their spouse or common-law partner, if applicable.
Be a Canadian citizen, for income tax purposes.
Must identify with at least one of the following:
- Canadian Citizen
- Permanent Resident
- Registered or entitled to be registered under the Indian Act
- Protected Person
- Lived in Canada for the past 18 months and is a temporary resident.

My application for DTC was denied. Is it possible to appeal the decision?

Yes. You have 90 days to file an appeal. By completing the VLRC Tax Credit Referral form, our Disability Benefit Navigators can assist with the appeal process.

Does VLRC submit my DTC or CDB application for me?

We do not submit the application for you, but we can assist with answering your questions, helping you to complete portions of the DTC application and handling the appeal process. We can also facilitate conversations with your optometrist to complete the T2201 form. After filling out the referral form, a Navigator will connect with you to navigate disability tax credits.

How much does it cost to use the GAIN Program?

There is no cost to use the GAIN Program services. The Program is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada.

What can I expect after I complete a referral?

Once you complete a referral, it goes into a queue. Our Disability Benefit Navigators will call clients based on the earliest referral date (first come, first served). You will get a call from our Navigators to answer questions about disability tax credits and benefits. They will also assist you in navigating the application and appeals process. Once a Navigator is assigned to you, they will be the same person assisting you from the beginning to end of your application.

Can I apply on behalf of a family member?

You can apply on behalf of a family member, depending on the credit or benefit involved. Our team members will be able to let you know what is needed for your application. You will need the consent of the person who is eligible for the benefit.

I do not have vision loss; can I still access the GAIN Program?

Yes. Our team is here to assist everyone with any federal, provincial or territorial disability benefit resource.

How do I claim the DTC once approved?

The DTC can be claimed on your tax return (Line 31600 for yourself, Line 32600 for a spouse or Line 31800 for a dependent).

I have filed my taxes; can I still apply for the DTC?

Yes, you can apply for the DTC at any time. If you have already filed your taxes and receive DTC approval afterward: you can request CRA review your taxes and reassess for up to 10 years.

My loved one is deceased; can I still apply for the DTC on their behalf?

Yes, if they have died within the past ten years, you can apply.

I have been denied for the DTC multiple times. Is there a limit to how many times I can apply?

There is no limit for DTC applications. Applicants should be aware that unless their status has changed or they previously submitted incorrect forms, their application might still be denied.

Where do I send my application?

Depending on the benefit, most forms can be submitted online or mailed. For example, the DTC forms can be submitted through your CRA Account, or by mail. Paper forms can be mailed to one of the designated Tax Centres as listed on the DTC’s How to Apply webpage. If submitting the paper form, please keep a copy for your records.

Will I have to renew my application for the DTC?

If the CRA determines that your situation will not change in the future, your DTC can be approved for an indefinite period. If the CRA believes your situation may change for the better, your application will be approved for a specified time period. After the ‘date of approval’ ends, you will have to apply again to be eligible for the DTC.

How long does it take to get approval for benefits or tax credits?

Approval timeline varies based on the benefit or credit. The CRA, along with most provincial and territorial websites, also lists estimated wait times.

For example, estimated wait time for DTC approval is 3-6 months.