Is Arthritis Considered a Disability by the Canadian Government?
Arthritis is a dynamic physical disability with over a hundred unique types of arthritis that have been discovered. The pain ranges in severity, and can be localized to specific spots on the body, such as the back, neck, hip, knees, or feet. At its worst, symptoms of arthritis can become chronic, resulting in constant discomfort.
Types of Arthritis
There are three main types of arthritis: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of the condition; this is the ‘wear and tear’ form of arthritis that occurs from joint over usage. This type of arthritis usually presents itself with age, but can also be the result of joint injuries or obesity, which puts extra stress on the body’s joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis is distinct from the other forms of arthritis because it is an autoimmune disease. The immune system attacks parts of the body, particularly the joints. These attacks cause the joints to inflame, leading to sever joint damage if left unchecked.
Psoriatic arthritis is a two-headed condition that affects both the skin (psoriasis) and the joints (arthritis). Psoriasis is characterized by red, raised patches of skin, and white, inflamed, scaly skin. This type of arthritis usually starts between the ages of 30-50, and is equally common amongst men and women.
While each form of arthritis is distinct from one another, they can all hinder a person’s ability to perform even the most rudimentary, every-day tasks. From being unable to move without searing joint pain, a person’s freedom and independence can become compromised.
Can You Get Disability for Arthritis?
The Canadian government acknowledges the severity of arthritis by qualifying severe arthritis for certain Canadian disability benefits.
The Canadian Disability Tax Credit, for example, was designed for this exact purpose: to upkeep a differently abled person’s standard of living and quality of life, post-diagnosis. These disability tax refunds should relieve some of the stress of living with a physical or mental disability, allowing the person to focus on their well-being.
The National Benefit Authority works along those parameters, too: we’re here to alleviate the stress of your, or a loved one’s, disability. We do this through our Disability Tax Credit service, created for differently-abled Canadians to easily submit and claim their deserved Canadian disability benefits.
Our specialists assist with all the leg work in the DTC application process, including helping to determine your Disability Tax Credit eligibility, completing your application (Form T2201), and submitting it directly to the CRA on your behalf. We find that many Canadians who qualify for disability benefits don’t file a claim, either because they’re unaware of the programs, or they simply can’t be bothered with the cumbersome process.
The NBA eliminates all that research, uncertainty, and back-and-forth game with the government, working decisively to recover the disability benefits you’re entitled to. We’re Canada’s largest service provider for all things related to the Disability Tax Credit, having aided over 40,000 Canadians in successful claims!
