Increasing Access to the Disability Tax Credit Through Alternative Pathways
75% of eligible people aren’t accessing the Disability Tax Credit and are missing out on vital support. Here's how we're advocating to reduce barriers and create a better pathway.
- Policy and research
Tue Mar 31, 2026 by Momentum Staff
Many people living with a disability are missing out on vital benefits that could offer life-changing support and income. It is estimated that 75% of eligible people are not accessing the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). The DTC is a federal income tax credit for people with disabilities which acts as a gateway to many additional federal benefits that are designed to offset the costs associated with living with a disability.
Eligible community members face many barriers when applying for and receiving the DTC. These barriers could be overcome by establishing an alternative pathway for those receiving provincial or territorial disability income supports or benefits to access the DTC and the many other benefits that are unlocked with an approved DTC.
Momentum with our partners at Plan Institute, SEED Winnipeg, and the Disability Policy Research Program have identified an opportunity to establish alternative pathways which grants automatic DTC eligibility to individuals already receiving disability benefits through provincial and territorial social assistance programs.
What this paper covers:
- The barriers to applying for the DTC,
- What is at stake for those who are not accessing the DTC,
- Why the DTC application process must change,
- Lived experience testimonies from community members,
- Recommendations to improve access to the DTC
This policy paper reaffirms the known barriers to accessing the DTC and advocates for necessary changes through a newly proposed alternative. Our research is rooted in voices from lived experience community members and frontline expertise. Access to disability benefits must be more equitable and reach those who could benefit from them the most.
Read the full policy paper here.
Thank you to the additional partners who provided feedback and support of this paper: Autism Calgary, the Aspire Collaborative, Community Unemployed Help Centre, Connections for Families, Disability Without Poverty, Manitoba Financial Empowerment Policy Committee, Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities, Pulford Community Living Services, Scope Society, and Vibrant Communities Calgary.
