Does a Child with Hypotonia Qualify for the Child Disability Tax Credit?
Hypotonia is a muscle condition characterized by a lack of muscle tone, leading to unresponsive and ‘floppy’ muscles. Appropriate muscular tone is necessary to balance the amount of tension of the body’s muscles, allowing us to move and perform fundamental physical tasks at will.
A person with hypotonia may have trouble with everyday activities we take for granted, from opening a jar, to lifting grocery bags. It’s important to note the physical disability isn’t an issue of muscle weakness, but of tone and density.
Hypotonia, also known as ‘floppy baby syndrome’, can be present at birth, or may surface later in life due to brain damage that affects the nervous system, or damage to the muscle itself. Hypotonia is not a considered a condition on its own, but a symptom of another underlying problem. Conditions such as Down syndrome, Marfan syndrome, meningitis, or a serious head injury can all exhibit hypotonia. Down syndrome is the most common cause of hypotonia.
The disability is most prevalent among children affected by an underlying condition like the ones listed above. Hypotonia treatment first targets the initial ailment, complimented by physical and occupational therapies that trains muscles to perform basic physical tasks.
How Does the Disability Tax Credit Work?
Hypotonia, due to its impact on a person’s ability to perform everyday activities, is classified as a disability by the Canadian government. As such, to help offset the costs of extra care or treatments, Canada Revenue Agency provides disability benefits like the Canadian Disability Tax Credit and Child Disability Tax Credit for families with a child combatting hypotonia.
Despite being available to many eligible Canadians, unclaimed disability tax credits are surprisingly common. The DTC application process can be complex, pushing people away from even submitting their T2201 form.
How Can the NBA Help?
The National Benefit Authority is Canada’s largest disability tax service provider, having assisted over 40,000 Canadians in successfully claiming disability credits. Our in-house team of experts can help determine your Disability Tax Credit eligibility, and walk you through each step of your Canadian Disability Tax Credit application. Disability Tax Credit amounts vary on a case-by-case basis, but can be upwards of $50,000 per application!
Work with our team today, and get the support for hypotonia that you and your family deserve!
