DTC for Feeding & Dressing Difficulties

Physical Limitations Affecting Self-Care & Daily Living

Difficulty with feeding or dressing is a recognized basic activity of daily living under the Disability Tax Credit. If a physical or neurological condition markedly restricts your ability to feed yourself or dress independently, you may qualify — regardless of whether you have a formal diagnosis label.

What CRA Looks For

  • Marked restriction in the ability to feed oneself (preparing food, bringing food to mouth, swallowing)
  • Marked restriction in the ability to dress and undress independently
  • Condition must take an inordinate amount of time compared to a person without the impairment
  • Restriction must be present at least 90% of the time
  • Condition must be prolonged (lasting at least 12 months)

Examples of Qualifying Situations

  • Severe arthritis in hands and wrists preventing independent dressing or food preparation
  • Neurological conditions (e.g., MS, Parkinson's, stroke) affecting fine motor control
  • Dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) requiring modified diet or feeding assistance
  • Cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy limiting upper body function
  • Severe chronic pain conditions that make dressing or feeding extremely difficult
  • Post-surgical or injury-related impairments affecting arm or hand function

Why Applications Get Denied

  • T2201 focuses on diagnosis rather than the specific functional restriction in feeding or dressing
  • Medical practitioner does not quantify the time required or frequency of restriction
  • Application does not describe the specific tasks that cannot be performed independently
  • Condition described as improving without noting persistent baseline restriction
  • Form does not address the 90% threshold or the inordinate time criterion

How We Help

  • We identify whether your condition meets the feeding or dressing restriction criteria under CRA guidelines
  • We coordinate with your medical practitioner to document functional limitations using CRA-aligned language
  • We help translate clinical findings into the specific descriptions CRA evaluators require
  • We review your application for completeness before submission
  • If previously denied, we analyze gaps and prepare a stronger resubmission

Frequently Asked Questions

What does CRA mean by 'feeding' for DTC purposes?

CRA defines feeding as the ability to prepare food and bring it to your mouth, or to swallow food. It does not include shopping for groceries or cooking complex meals — but if the basic act of preparing simple food or eating independently is markedly restricted, you may qualify.

Does needing help with buttons or zippers count as a dressing restriction?

Potentially yes, if the difficulty is severe enough to constitute a marked restriction. CRA looks at whether dressing takes an inordinate amount of time or requires significant assistance from another person.

Can I qualify for both feeding and dressing restrictions?

Yes. If you have restrictions in multiple basic activities, each can be documented. You may also qualify under the cumulative effects category if multiple moderate restrictions together create a marked restriction.

My condition is episodic — can I still qualify?

Yes, if the restriction is present at least 90% of the time. Episodic conditions like MS or severe arthritis flares may still qualify if the cumulative impact meets the 90% threshold over the year.

Think You May Qualify?

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