Note: Items 1- 13 are copied from the Canada Revenue Agency website (05/05/07). For detailed information and for forms go to www.cra-arc.gc.ca and search using the program titles in bold below:
1) Apply for federal Disability Tax Credit. Canada Revenue Agency
The Disability Tax Credit may be claimed by parents caring for a dependent child with a severe and prolonged mental or physical impairment that markedly restricts ability to perform basic activity of daily living, as certified by a medical practitioner. It is a nonrefundable tax credit to be applied against basic federal tax. In order to apply, the person with the disability or their representative (parent) must fill out the Disability Tax Credit Certificate.
www.cra-arc.gc.ca
2) Apply for federal Child Disability Benefit (CDB). Canada Revenue Agency
The Child Disability Benefit (CDB) is a tax-free monthly benefit for families who care for a child under age 18 with a severe and prolonged impairment in mental or physical functions. As a result of changes in how the CDB rate is calculated, nearly all families with Disability Tax Credit-eligible children will receive the CDB, effective July 2006. The Child Disability Benefit is applied to separately from the Disability Tax Credit.
www.cra-arc.gc.ca
3) Apply for federal Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB). Canada Revenue Agency
The Canada Child Tax Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment made to low- and modest-income families to help them with the cost of raising children under age 18. The CCTB payment may include benefits from two other programs for eligible families:
Child Disability Benefit (CDB): Families who are eligible for Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) for a child will receive the Child Disability Benefit only if the child also qualifies for the disability amount, also known as the Disability Tax Credit.
National Child Benefit Supplement (NCBS): provides extra support to low-income families with children by topping up monthly payments received under the CCTB system.
www.cra-arc.gc.ca
4) Apply for provincial Nova Scotia Child Benefit.
The Nova Scotia Child Benefit (NSCB) is a non-taxable amount paid monthly to help low- and modest-income families with the cost of raising children under the age of 18. Benefits are combined with the federal CCTB into a single monthly payment.. For more information, call 1-800-387-1193.
5) Start a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). Canada Revenue Agency
The Registered Disability Savings Plan is a new federal plan that will allow funds to be invested tax-free until withdrawal. It is intended to help parents and others to save for the long-term financial security of a child with a disability. The plan structure is similar to a Registered Education Savings Plan. Contributions to an RDSP will be eligible for the new Canada Disability Savings Grant. There is also a new Canada Disability Savings Bond for individuals with lower family net incomes. These programs will come into effect in 2008. Check Canada Revenue Agency website for updates.
www.cra-arc.gc.ca
6) Apply for Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB). Canada Revenue Agency
The Universal Child Care Credit provides direct financial support to families with children under the age of 6 years. It is paid in installments of $100 per month per child.
You enroll for the UCCB through the Canada Child Tax Benefit application.
www.cra-arc.gc.ca
7) Apply for Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) credit for children under 19. Canada Revenue Agency
The GST/HST credit is a tax-free quarterly payment that helps individuals and families with low and modest incomes offset all or part of the GST or HST that they pay. Your child is already registered for the GST/HST credit if you have applied for the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) for your child. If you have not applied for the CCTB for your child, or if you have another child or a child starts to live with you, you need to register that child for the GST/HST credit by completing Form RC66, Canada Child Tax Benefit Application. Please note that you cannot register a child who is in foster care.
www.cra-arc.gc.ca
8) Apply for Medical Expenses Tax Credit. Canada Revenue Agency
The Medical Expenses Tax Credit allows individuals with a disability or their representatives to claim a nonrefundable tax credit to be applied against basic federal tax.. Complete information about the items which can be claimed and for which receipts must be kept is available online in "Medical and Disability Related Information"
www.cra-arc.gc.ca
9) Apply for Refundable Medical Expense Supplement. Canada Revenue Agency
The Refundable Medical Expense Supplement is a refundable tax credit available to low income working Canadians with above average medical expenses.
www.cra-arc.gc.ca
10) Apply for the incremental costs of purchasing gluten free (GF) products. Canada Revenue Agency
Persons with celiac disease may apply for the incremental costs of purchasing gluten free (GF) products as an eligible medical expense.
www.cra-arc.gc.ca
11) Apply for Child Care Expense Deduction. Canada Revenue Agency
Child care expenses incurred for the purpose of earning income or attending school may be deducted to predetermined amounts for children under 7, and children between the ages of 7-16. However, the age limit does not apply if the child was dependent on you or your spouse or common-law partner and was mentally or physically infirm.
www.cra-arc.gc.ca
12) Apply for Disability Supports Deduction. Canada Revenue Agency
Persons with impairment in physical or mental functions may be able to deduct certain disability supports expenses incurred in the year to work, go to school, or to do paid research. Eligible expenses include services or devices such as Bliss symbol boards, voice recognition software, deaf-blind intervening services, full-time attendant care services and others.
www.cra-arc.gc.ca
13) Apply for Caregiver Amount. Canada Revenue Agency
If you live with a relative of yours, or your spouse or common-law partner's, who is dependent on you because of a physical or mental infirmity, and who is 18 or older you may be eligible for the caregiver amount.
www.cra-arc.gc.ca
Note: You can request a speaker from your local tax office to address your parent group, agency or organization on disability tax related information.
14) Apply for financial assistance to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) for Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program for Persons with Disabilities.
CMHC offers financial assistance to homeowners and landlords to undertake accessibility work to modify dwellings occupied or intended for occupancy by low income persons with disabilities.
www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca
15) Apply for tax rebate to Service Nova Scotia, Municipal Relations. Government of Nova Scotia.
Service Nova Scotia, Municipal Relations provides rebates on sales tax on computers purchased for persons with visual and hearing impairment or persons who are physically or mentally challenged. Sales tax rebates are provided for motor vehicles purchased for persons who are subject to a physiological impairment that deprives that person of the use of both lower limbs.
http://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr//forms/fuel_t.asp
16) Apply for financial assistance to Access-a-Home Program. Nova Scotia Department of Community Services
The Access-A-Home Program provides assistance to households who must adapt their homes for wheelchair use. Funding is provided by the Province of Nova Scotia and it is income tested.
http://www.gov.ns.ca/coms/housing/grants_access_program.html
17) Check with Medical Services Insurance (MSI). Nova Scotia Department of Health
Nova Scotia's Health Insurance provides eligible residents with coverage for medically required hospital, medical, dental and optometric services with some restrictions. Check with MSI for coverage of unusual expenses such as behavioural therapies before initiating services and for travel coverage.
www.gov.ns.ca/health/msi.htm
18) Check out your private medical and life insurance policies.
Check your private policies for coverage of additional expenses such as therapies, medical equipment, assistive devices and travel coverage. Find out if your dependent family member is subjected to age limitations and if your coverage will be affected by job changes or moving to another province.
Check the following sites for consumer information:
Insurance Bureau of Canada. www.ibc.ca
Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association Inc. www.clhia.ca
19) Apply for Parking Permits. Nova Scotia Registry of Motor Vehicles
License plates or Identification Permits are available for vehicles regularly used for the transportation of persons with disabilities.
http://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/paal/rmv/Paal277.asp
20) Apply for admission to your local day care, developmental centre or preschool program.
Nova Scotia Department of Community Services licenses and regulates child care centres and provides assistance to centres with children with special needs through:
The Supported Child Care Program: Children with Special Needs in Child Care Programs
http://www.gov.ns.ca/coms/families/early_childhood_program.html
Assistance for low income parents is provided through centre based and portable subsidized spaces through:
Child Care Subsidy
http://www.gov.ns.ca/coms/families/early_childhood_subsidy.html
21) Apply for Early Intervention Services
Early Intervention Programs provide support and services to families with young children - infant, toddler or preschool aged - with developmental delays, whether they have a diagnosis or not. You can self-refer to a program in your area. There is no fee for services.
www.earlyintervention.net
22) Apply for Summer Camping Program. Department of Community Services
Summer Camping Programs are delivered by the YMCA and include seven day camps for children with special needs, and three residential camps for children and adults. Contact your local office of the Department of Community Services for details.
http://www.gov.ns.ca/coms/families/community_outreach.html
Regional Offices:
http://www.gov.ns.ca/coms/contactus/offices.html
23) Apply for Direct Family Support. Department of Community Services
Direct Family Support (replaces In-Home Support) provides financial assistance with respite care, personal care supplies, equipment and transportation to eligible families with physically and developmentally challenged children and adults. Contact your local office of the Department of Community Services for details.
http://www.gov.ns.ca/coms/families/community_outreach.html
Regional Offices:
http://www.gov.ns.ca/coms/contactus/offices.html
24) Apply for Respite Services.
Four regional respite service providers make services available to families in their area.
www.respite.ns.ca
25) Apply for Low Income Pharmacare for Children.
Low Income Pharmacare for Children is available for families who receive the Nova Scotia Child Benefit and have a household income below $20,921. Families will pay $5 per prescription - no matter how much the medication costs.
http://www.gov.ns.ca/coms/LIPC.html
26) Self refer to Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech Centres.
Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech provides screening for newborns and at any time when there are concerns about a baby's speech and language and hearing development. Developmental milestones are described in Sound Start an NSHS brochure available online.
www.nshsc.ns.ca
27) Self refer to Public Health. (Nova Scotia Department of Health)
Nova Scotia's 8 Health Districts provide a variety of programs and supports for young children and their families including family drop-in clinics, Healthy Baby Programs, and nutrition support. Contact your local district office:
http://www.gov.ns.ca/heal/dha_map.htm
28) Self refer to Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority (APSEA).
APSEA provides educational services, programs, transition planning and opportunities for children and youth (birth to 21) who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, blind, or visually impaired. Services are provided to preschools and schools and include parent education workshops.
http://www.apsea.ca/
29) Enroll your child in school.
You can enroll your child through your local school or at the regional or district school board office. In January notify your local school principal of your child's upcoming September attendance and inquire about enrollment procedures. Age requirements for primary enrollment may change for September 2008.
For information about services and programs, click on Information for Parents at:
http://www.ednet.ns.ca/
Nova Scotia school directory:
http://ns-schools.ednet.ns.ca/pdf/directory_2005-06.xls
30) Apply for local Preprimary Pilot Program.
The Pre-Primary Pilot is an initiative of the Nova Scotia Department of Education. There are 19 programs in operation across Nova Scotia. All children must be 4 years of age on or before October 1, 2007. Proof of age must be shown at the school before your child may attend. Contact your local school board for information.
http://www.ednet.ns.ca/index.php?t=sub_pages&cat=9
31) Check out recreation programs in your area.
Every municipality offers recreation opportunities. Some programs may offer financial assistance to support participation.
http://www.recreationns.ns.ca/connect
32) Check out Equipment for sale or loan.
You can browse listings for second hand equipment ranging from accessible vehicles to wheelchairs Nova Scotia Classifieds for Disability & Health Product Aids for Disability, Elderly, Caregivers & Health Professionals:
http://freedom.nsnet.org
Wheelchair Recycling Program, Abilities Foundation of Nova Scotia
www.wheelchairrecyclingprogram.ca
33) Contact Nova Scotia Disabled Person's Commission (NSDPC).
The Nova Scotia Disabled Persons Commission (NSDPC) gives people with disabilities a way to participate in the provincial government policy-making process. The NSDPC advises policy-makers and program-developers about
the needs of people with disabilities
the issues and concerns that affect the lives of people with disabilities (from NSDPC website)
http://www.gov.ns.ca/disa/
34) Contact Federal Office of Disability Issues (ODI).
The ODI is a source of information for federal programs and initiatives and reports and documents on disability issues.
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/top_nav/program/odi.shtml
35) Get ready ahead of time for the transition from childhood to adulthood.
When children with special needs reach the age of 19, they are legal adults and their parents are no longer their legal guardians without acquiring legal guardianship through the courts. If your child is dependent on others for assistance in personal care and decision making due to a developmental disability, chronic mental illness, acquired
brain injury, or other difficulties you may wish to obtain legal advice concerning guardianship and power of attorney.
You will need to plan for the transition from children's programs to adult services in Departments of Health and Community Services. You may need to apply for income support and employment and housing opportunities for your family member. Allow enough time beforehand to find out what changes will be necessary and how you can access adult services.
