Canadian Resource Guide -

Government Listings

Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits
If you have a severe and Prolonged disability that regularly stops you from doing any type of work, and you contributed to the Canada Pension Plan (w), you may be eligible for monthly.

Disability Benefits
Your children may also receive benefits if they are under 18, or between 18 and 25 and attending school.
1 800 277-9914
TTY: 1 800 255-4786

Employment Insurance (Ei) Benefits
If you temporarily cannot work because of an illness, injury or quarantine, and can supply a medical certificate, you may be eligible for the EI Sickness Benefit. If you are looking after a family member with a disability or a serious illness who is at risk of dying, you may qualify for the EI Compassionate Care Benefit.
1 800 O-Canada
(1 800 622-6232)
TTY: 1 800 926-9105

Veterans Disability Pension Program
A disability pension from Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) is a tax-free payment to veterans with permanent disabilities resulting from injuries or diseases. They must be wartime veterans, current or former members of the Canadian Forces (Regular or Reserves), former members of the Merchant Navy or civilians who served in close support of the Canadian Forces during wartime. You also may qualify for a pension if you are the surviving spouse, common-law partner or dependent child of a deceased VAC disability pensioner.
1 866 522-2122

Federal Tax Credits Deductions and Exemptions
Information for people with disabilities The Disability Tax Credit (usually called the disability amount) reduces the income tax that a person with a disability has to pay. If you don’t need to use some or all of the tax credit because you have little or no income, you may be able to transfer all or part of it to your spouse, common-law partner or other supporting person. To get the credit, you must complete a Disability Tax Credit

Certificate (Form T2201), have it signed by a qualified medical doctor, optometrist, audiologist, occupational therapist, psychologist or speech language pathologist, and return it to the Canada Revenue Agency. If your children are under 18 and qualify for the Disability Tax Credit, they may be eligible for the Child Disability Benefit. The benefit, of up to $166.66 a month, is tax-free. The Child Disability Benefit is a supplement to The Canada Child Tax Benefit and Children’s Special Allowances payments. It helps low and modest-income families who care for a child with a severe and prolonged mental or physical impairment. To apply, families must obtain a signed Disability Tax Credit Certificate and the Canada Child Tax Benefit application form (RC66) for the child.

Canada Revenue Agency General Inquiries:
1 800 959-8281
TTY: 1 800 665-0354

Canada Child Tax Benefit Inquiries:
1 800 387-1193
TTY: 1 800 665-0354

To Order Forms T2201 & RC66:
1 800 959-2221
TTY: 1 800 665-0354

If you have medical expenses associated with a disability, you may be able to claim them to reduce your taxes. Or, a supporting person such as: Your spouse, common-law partner or other family member may be able to claim them. Some examples of allowable medical expenses are:
- payments for certain assistive devices;
- portions of the cost of adapting a new van for wheelchair use;
- costs of an attendant who cares for you, or costs of care in an institution;
- certain expenses related to helper animals, such as guide dogs; a portion of fees paid to a group home for a dependant with a disability;
- certain building and renovating costs so that you have better access and mobility in your home. In addition, you may be eligible for the Refundable Medical Expense Supplement if you have a low income and high medical expenses.

The Disability Supports Deduction allows you to deduct certain expenses for supports that enable you to work or go to school. Such expenses include sign-language interpretation, teletypewriters, certain assistive devices for computers, optical scanners to read print and electronic speech synthesizers. You may be able to claim these deductions if they meet certain conditions, and as long as you or anyone else has not claimed them as medical expenses. And you do not have to be eligible for the Disability Tax Credit to claim them, unless you are claiming part-time attendant care expenses. To claim the Disability Supports

Deduction, you have to complete Form T929. Many goods and services used by people with disabilities are exempt from the goods and services tax/harmonized sales taxes (GST/HST).

Some examples are health and personal care services, programs like “Meals on Wheels,” guide and hearing-ear dogs, some recreational programs and camps, and medical devices and supplies including wheelchairs, walkers, hearing aids, patient lifters and specially designed clothing.

GST/HST Information
1 800 959-5525
TTY: 1 800 665-0354

To Order Forms
1 800 959-2221
TTY: 1 800 665-0354

Do you support someone with a disability?
You may be able to claim allowable Medical expenses, as well as other deductions and credits, including:
- child care expenses;
- caregiver amount;
- disability amount transferred from a spouse, common-law partner, or a dependant;
- amount for infirm dependants’ age 18 or older;
- amount for an eligible dependant;
- tuition and education amounts.

Find out more about allowable medical expenses, deductions and tax credits, and how you can use them if you support people with disabilities.

Canada Revenue Agency General Enquiries
1 800 959-8281
TTY: 1 800 665-0354

To Order Forms
1 800 959-2221
TTY: 1 800 665-0354

- People with disabilities who use a teletypewriter:
1 800 665-0354 to get general tax information.
n If you have a visual impairment, you can get publications in Braille, large print, or etext (computer diskette), or on audiocassette.
1 800 959-2221 weekdays from 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time
- The Community Volunteer Income Tax

Program of the Canada Revenue Agency provides a free tax return preparation service to low- and modest-income Canadians who have a simple tax situation. If you want more information on federal income taxes or these programs, or if you have any questions about your income tax return, contact the CRA:
1 800 959-8281
TTY: 1 800 665-0354

Modifying Your Home

The Government of Canada can help eligible 2010 edition building owners to make housing accessible to people with disabilities through the following programs:
- The Residential Rehabilitation Assistance
Program (RRAP) for Persons with Disabilities financially helps eligible homeowners And landlords make their dwellings accessible to low-income people with disabilities.

It also provides assistance to create secondary and garden suites for low-income seniors and adults with disabilities.
- If you are a low-income senior with a disability, the Home Adaptations for seniors’ Independence Program helps Homeowners and landlords pay for adaptations that Will help you to stay longer in your home. To find out more about these programs: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) at
1 800 668-2642
TTY: 1 800 309-3388

Housing
In your province or territory, similar programs may be delivered jointly with other Agencies under a different name. See page 39 for contact information for your province or territory.

Making Things Easier.
These handy publications can help you modify a residence and make it barrier-free:
- Flex Housing™: Pocket Planner for Home buyers and builders help you plan and create a Flex House that is adaptable, accessible and affordable.
- A Modification Checklist:
Accessibility Using RRAP for Persons with Disabilities contains nearly a hundred practical suggestions for improving accessibility. It’s a must for any family with a member who has a disability.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
at 1 800 668-2642
TTY: 1 800 309- 3388

To find out more about how to modify your home, contact your municipality. In your province or territory, similar programs may be delivered jointly with other agencies under a different Medical expense tax credit for moving expenses. You can claim, as a medical expense on your tax return, reasonable moving expenses of up to $2,000 to move a person:
- who has a severe and prolonged mobility impairment, or
- who lacks normal physical development, to housing that is more accessible, or in which the person is more mobile or functional.
1 800 959-8281
TTY: 1 800 665-0354

Accessibility Standards and Best Practices

The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) publishes standards targeted to organizations to help make communities more accessible to people with disabilities. Although it is not a government organization, the CSA serves Canadians by enhancing public safety and health.

- Accessible Design for the Built Environment (B651-04) explains how to make buildings accessible and safe for people with disabilities.
- Customer Service Standard for People with Disabilities (B480-02) explains how organizations can provide customer service to people with disabilities equivalent to the quality of service they provide everyone else.
- Design for Aging (B659-01) provides principles, guidelines and tools for designing products and providing service for people whose abilities are affected by aging.

To buy copies of these standards:
Canadian Standards Association (CSA) at
1 800 463-6727

Accessibility
The Assistive Devices Industry Office provides information and tools to help businesses and consumers use the latest in assistive devices and technology for people with disabilities.

Accessible Workplaces
Barrier-Free Employers from the Canadian Human Rights Commission is a practical online guide to accommodating people with disabilities on the job. Suggests the best and most appropriate words and terms to use concerning people with disabilities.
1 800 O-Canada
(1 800 622-6232)
TTY: 1 800 926-9105

Accessible Justice System
If you have a disability and you have been called to give evidence in the Federal Court or the Tax Court of Canada, there are services to help you provide testimony. Since most legal proceedings take place in provincial or territorial courts, these courts may also offer similar services. Check the government pages of your telephone book.

Communications Assistance
includes sign language interpreters for interviews or meetings. People with intellectual or physical disabilities may also provide testimony through videotape.

Federal Gasoline Tax Refund Program
If you can’t safely use public Transportation because of a permanent disability, you can apply for a partial refund of the federal excise tax on gasoline you purchase. You must have a medical certificate confirming your disability.
1 866 330-3304
TTY: 1 800 665-0354

Travel Planning
Useful information for people with disabilities and other travelers with special needs is available on the Access to Travel website.

The Tactile Mapping
for the Visually Impaired website explains how to make, download and print tactile maps for blind people and those with visual impairments. It includes educational maps.

Transportation and Travel
Mobility training maps, and a tactile map database. The database focuses on transportation and tourism featuring all major Canadian cities. People with disabilities who hold a valid parking permit issued in Canada can use it in the 40 member countries of the European Union. You will enjoy the same benefits as citizens of these countries. If you’re travelling to Europe and planning to drive, bring your accessible parking pass with you.

Registering Complaints
If you have a disability and have had problems when travelling on federally regulated passenger rail, ferry or air service, you can file a complaint with the Canadian Transportation Agency. The Agency also offers a mediation service to help resolve problems. There are guides and forms for using both these services. Canadian Transportation Agency at 1 888 222-2592 TTY: 1 800 669-5575
Through the Intercity Bus Code of Practice, Canadian bus operators commit to serving people with disabilities in a safe and dignified manner. The Code covers transporting people between cities. It does not cover charter, tour, school and urban buses. Contact
Transport Canada for advice on resolving complaints about intercity bus service.
1 800 665-6478
TTY: 1 800 823-3823

Your Rights
You can get a copy of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and of Your Guide to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in print, electronic or alternative format, from the Human Rights Program at Canadian Heritage. The program also offers a number of other human rights publications.
To get copies:
1 866 811-0055
TTY: 819 997-3123
Click on the A-Z index on the left menu.
If you’ve suffered discrimination in the workplace, or when buying products and services, you may be able to file a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
The Commission accepts complaints concerning institutions, subject to the Canadian Human Rights Act, as well as businesses under federal jurisdiction. These include Crown Corporations and major employers such as banks, airlines, railways, and television and radio stations.
1 888 214-1090
TTY: 1 888 643-3304

Advocacy Financial Support For Post-secondary Education
The Canada Student Loans Program provides financial support to students with permanent disabilities and demonstrated financial need. If you have a disability and qualify for a Canada Student Loan, you may also receive grants (which you don’t have to repay).

You can apply for a Canada Student Loan through your provincial or territorial student financial assistance office. This is not the case if you live in Quebec, the Northwest 20 GERARD 2010 edition Territories or Nunavut, which have their own student financial assistance programs. Wherever you live in Canada, visit the National Student Loans Service Centre at to find out where to apply for student financial assistance. If you are a full-time or part-time student who qualifies for a Canada Student Loan, you can apply for the Canada Study Grant for the Accommodation of Students with Permanent Disabilities. This grant provides up to $8,000 a year to help cover exceptional education-related costs associated with your disability, such as notetakers, tutors, readers, interpreters, special transportation, and technical aids and learning disability assessment.

Learning and Skills Development
If you are eligible for this grant, you will automatically be assessed for the Canada Access Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities. This grant provides up to $2,000 a year to help students with disabilities cover educational and living expenses.
Did you know?
If you experience exceptional financial hardship caused by a permanent disability, and you are unable to repay your Canada Student Loan, you may qualify for the Canada Student Loans Program Permanent Disability Benefit. Under this benefit, you no Longer have to repay the loan. National Student Loans Service Centre Public Institutions Division:
1 888 815-4514
TTY: 1 888 815-4556
Private Institutions Division:
1 866 587-7452
TTY: 1 888 815-4556

Support for Individuals
If you’re a person with a disability and little or no work experience, the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities can help. It provides support to help you prepare for and find paid work, or to become self-employed. If you are receiving Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability benefits, there are return to work supports in place to help you stay connected to your community or to the workforce. If you do return to work, but can’t continue because of your disability, you can restart your CPP disability benefit without having to reapply. You must do this within a two-year period.
Did you know?
If you receive CPP disability benefits, you can volunteer or attend school and continue to receive benefits. You can work and earn up to $4,200 (in 2006) without having to report these earnings to the CPP. You can also plan a return to work, tailored to Employment your needs, through CPP’s vocational rehabilitation services. And, as you start to work regularly, you can try a paid work trial for up to three months before benefits are stopped. As of January 31, 2005, if you were able to return to work but have to stop because your disability recurs, the CPP’s Automatic Reinstatement provision allows your benefits to be quickly restarted.
1 800 277-9914
TTY: 1 800 255-4786

Other Helpful Government of Canada Online Services if You’re Looking for Work:
- Check out www.jobbank.gc.ca and surf over 30,000 advertised jobs from across Canada. You can also advertise your skills profile to thousands of employers across the country.
- Visit www.jobsetc.ca for useful resources to help you in your job search or to change your career.
- If you’re interested in working for the Government of Canada, go to www.jobs.gc.ca for work experience and employment information. You can also visit www.workink.com. This site, managed by the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work, is an online career development and employment portal for job seekers with disabilities.

Support for Entrepreneurs
Go to Canada Business if you want to build your own business and become selfemployed. Information on the site includes advice, how to find training, and how to get financial assistance, including flexible loan programs.
1 888 576-4444
TTY: 1 800 457-8466
For most people with disabilities in Canada, the home care and personal services they need to maintain their health and live independently are provided by the provinces and territories. However, the Government of Canada delivers some of these services to certain groups of Canadians including veterans and First Nations and Inuit. Health services for First Nations and Inuit people First Nation’s people living on reserve or in a First Nation’s community North of 60, and Inuit living in a settlement North of 60 are eligible for basic home and community-care services. The First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Program provides trained, certified personal and home health care workers, supervised by registered nurses. Ask your local health center about what home and community care services are available, or:
1 866 225-0709
TTY: 1 800 267-1245

Health, Safety and Security
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of illness and disability among Aboriginal people. The Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative supports a range of community based projects and programs to prevent diabetes and reduce complications of the disease. Diabetes primary prevention projects are also delivered to Métis, off-reserve Aboriginal people and urban Inuit.
1 866 225-0709
TTY: 1 800 267-1245
First Nations people with functional limitations from age, health problems or disabilities can get the personal care they need to remain independent through the Assisted Living Program.
1 800 567-9604
TTY: 1 866 553-0554

Health Services for Veterans
Help for veterans with disabilities to stay healthy and independent in their own homes and communities is available through the Veterans Independence Program. Veterans may also be eligible for special equipment (cane, wheelchair), vision care (eyeglasses), audio care (hearing aid), and prescription drugs, among other things, under the Treatment Benefits Program.
1 866 522-2122

Health Information
Today there are many different sources of health information, from television to websites. Finding sources you can trust can be difficult. Here are some options: The Canadian Health Network provides reliable health information on everything from how to stay healthy to preventing disease and injury.

This online resource involves a partnership between the Public Health Agency of Canada, and major health organizations across the country. Be sure to visit the “Living with Disabilities” topic page. It is one of the largest collections of reliable, up-to-date information for people with disabilities and their caregivers.

The Public Health Agency of Canada’s Division of Aging and Seniors provides information and educational resources for seniors with disabilities. Materials are available in alternative formats.
1 866 225-0709
TTY: 1 800 267-1242

Identifying Abuse and Neglect
Do you know of an older adult or a person with a disability who is being abused or neglected? Learn to spot the signs and find out where help is available. The National Clearinghouse on Family Violence provides information, in alternative formats, about the abuse of people with disabilities.
Some examples are: n Family Violence and People with Intellectual Disabilities – Overview Paper n Violence Against Women with Disabilities
– Overview 1 800 267-1291 TTY: 1 800 561-5643

Crime Prevention and Victim Services Through the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS), the Government of Canada works with communities to increase public awareness and help prevent crime and victimization. The NCPS focuses on at-risk groups, including seniors and people with disabilities.
For more information:
1 877 302-6272

Athlete Assistance Program
Support may include a monthly living and training allowance, and support for postsecondary school tuition.
1 866 811-0055
TTY: 1 819 997-3123
Researched through the Canadian Government.

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