The DTC (Disability Tax Credit) lowers the income tax you owe. It also unlocks the Child Disability Benefit (up to $3,411 per year, tax-free as of July 2025) and the RDSP (Registered Disability Savings Plan) -- a tax-free savings account with up to $90,000 in government grants.
The financial reality
Families bear costs the programme was designed to cover.
Registered
88,175Children registered
Total in the Ontario Autism Program queue
CBC FOI Jan 2026
Funded
20,666Have active funding
Just 23.4% of registered children
CBC FOI Jan 2026
Waiting
67,509Still waiting
Registered. Diagnosed. Un-funded.
CBC FOI Jan 2026
Verified — CBC FOI Jan 2026
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Children registered | 88,175 |
| Have active funding | 20,666 |
| Still waiting | 67,509 |
Get the latest version from the CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) website. You fill out Part A (personal information).
Bring the form to the doctor or psychologist who diagnosed your child. They fill out Part B.
Tip: Give them examples of your child's daily challenges -- things like social interaction, safety awareness, and self-care skills.
Upload the scanned form via CRA My Account ("Submit Documents") or mail it. Wait times are typically 8-12 weeks (CRA processing standard).
For autism, you usually apply under "Mental functions necessary for everyday life." The challenges must be serious (present 90% of the time) and lasting (12 months or more).
If your child does not have a severe challenge in just one area, they may still qualify under the "cumulative effect" rule by combining multiple areas of difficulty (for example, social interaction plus self-care plus safety awareness together). This is common for autism and is explicitly recognized by CRA.
If your child was already eligible in prior years but you never applied, you can request retroactive DTC approval when you submit the T2201. The CRA can approve the DTC going back to the date the disability began.
You have 90 days from the denial date to file a Notice of Objection. Do this online via CRA My Account or by mail using Form T400A.
Ask the practitioner to resubmit Part B with more specific language about daily limitations. Include a supporting letter with concrete examples.
Organizations like ARCH Disability Law Centre and Legal Aid Ontario may be able to assist with DTC appeals at no cost.
Once approved, the CRA will automatically assess your eligibility for the Child Disability Benefit (up to $3,411/year tax-free). Your next steps:
The DTC unlocks up to $90,000 in government grants through a Registered Disability Savings Plan.
RDSP GuideWith the DTC approved, also claim therapy and medical costs through the METC for additional tax savings.
Tax Deductions GuideRelated Resources
Commitment to Accuracy: Our data is verified against official government reports (FAO, MCCSS), peer-reviewed scientific literature, and accessible public records. Last updated: March 24, 2026.
Verified Facts
$200/month — The Canada Disability Benefit provides up to for eligible Canadians with disabilities
88,175 — children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program
1 in 50 — According to the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth, about children and youth aged 1 to 17 in Canada had an autism diagnosis
23.4% — Only 20,666 children have active funding agreements () — less than one in four
WHO recommends accessible, community-based early interventions for children with autism — timely evidence-based psychosocial interventions improve communication and social engagement