Documenting your disability is a key step to accessing various supports and services in Canada. These include fiscal benefits and other specialized services that contribute to your overall integration and wellbeing.
What Is Documenting Disability and Why Is It Important?
Obtaining a professional assessment is the first step for documenting a disability. The assessment can be done by a qualified healthcare professional, such as a doctor, psychologist, or specialist. It outlines the nature and extent of the disability.
Once you obtain the document, you can apply for an official Disability Tax Credit (DTC) Certificate from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The CRA certificate is recognized by Canadian private and public institutions to certify your disability. You can use it to access a range of benefits including financial help, support programs, or specific accommodations according to your needs and functional limitations.
For more information about the Disability Tax Credit and the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), please refer to OCASI's Guide to the DTC & RDSP for Newcomers with Disabilities.
Who Can Start the Disability Certification Process?
A document certifying disability can be requested by different people:
- Yourself as the person with a disability: you can directly make the request for a document certifying your disability.
- A caregiver: with your agreement, the certification can be requested by your spouse, adult child, parent, or any other individual responsible for your care.
- A legal representative: when a person with a disability is unable to decide for themselves, a legally designated representative (e.g., a guardian, an attorney) can submit the application on their behalf.
- A health professional: in some cases, a health professional (a doctor or a nurse practitioner) can take part in the procedure to document a disability. Their main role is to assess and certify your medical condition, but they can also assist you with the paperwork, including by filling out the relevant sections of the required forms.
How to Claim the Disability Tax Credit?
If you already have a disability certificate from your country of origin, it could be helpful to document your disability in Canada. Verify if it is recognized here and if it can support your tax credit application.
The following steps allow you to claim the Disability Tax Credit.
Obtain the T2201 form
- Go to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) webpage.
- Check whether you are eligible.
- Download Form T2201: Disability Tax Credit Certificate.
Fill out the form
The T2201 form comprises two sections:
- The section on personal information. This section must be completed by yourself or the person assisting you.
- The section on the applicant's disability must be completed by a qualified health professional such as a doctor, occupational therapist, psychologist, etc.
The health professional will certify that you have a severe and prolonged functional limitation. We recommend that you contact an occupational therapist.
In Canada, occupational therapists tend to have more availability for appointments than specialized doctors. Furthermore, they are specifically trained to assess the impact of functional limitations on your everyday life. This can simplify the certification of your disability and more likely provide you with a complete and precise evaluation.
Completing that section of your form can cost between $50 and $100, and a consultation fee can cost $150 or more.
Visit the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) webpage, where you can find an occupational therapist in your province. The association is committed to making occupational therapy accessible to people with disabilities. Supports may include wheelchairs, laptop computers with screen-reading software, etc. Obtaining such support is not automatic: it depends on the person's immigration status and income.
For further information, you can consult the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapy (CAOT) webpage about accessibility or the CAOT policy and procedures.
Submit the form
Once the form is completed, you can submit it:
- Online: upload the document via your Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) account. To do that, you must login or create an account.
- By mail: to the address indicated on the form.
The CRA will assess your eligibility and send you a written decision within at least 8 weeks.
If your application is approved, you may use your CRA certificate to apply for the tax credit and get access to additional disability support programs, such as financial assistance, home modification subsidies, and accessible transportation.
Last updated: October 10, 2025
If you are denied service or experience discrimination, you can contact one of the Disability Rights Advocacy Organizations or Legal Clinics listed under “Additional Services”. Alternatively, report the situation through our report form and our team will follow up with you.