Real Examples of Approved Disability Tax Credit (DTC) Appeals

A DTC denial is often just the beginning of a conversation with the CRA. With the right information and expert guidance, many denials can be successfully appealed. Here are anonymized examples of successful appeals.

Case Study 1: Anxiety Disorder — Ontario Teacher

Initial denial: CRA stated the condition did not meet the criteria for a marked restriction present all or substantially all of the time. Appeal strategy: Refocused the narrative from work ability to daily life outside work — documenting inability to use public transit, shop alone, or attend social gatherings. Result: Approved on appeal.

Case Study 2: ADHD — Young Professional

Initial denial: CRA determined the condition was managed with medication. Appeal strategy: Documented the significant time required for daily management tasks (medication monitoring, organizational systems, reminders) that collectively exceeded the life-sustaining therapy threshold. Result: Approved on appeal.

What These Cases Have in Common

Every successful appeal involved reframing the application around CRA's specific functional criteria — not the diagnosis, not the treatment, but the actual impact on daily activities. This is what My Benefits Canada specializes in.