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 on the topic.
Who Can Launch the Procedure for Certification of a Disability?
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.
There are fees for completing that part of your form (between $50 and $100) or for a consultation ($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 association's 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. For that purpose, 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 8 weeks.
If your application is approved, you will be able to use your CRA certificate to request the tax credit and access other disability support programs including financial support, subsidies for home modification, and accessible transit programs.
The next section explores health services available in Canada. It covers emergency services, finding a family doctor, getting a health insurance card, accessing health community centres, and walk-in clinics. Such resources respond to your immediate health concerns and provide ongoing medical support adapted to your needs as a person with a disability.
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.