Funding a Walk in Bath

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Disability Tax Credit Certificate T2201
Print and fill-out the disability tax credit certificate (.pdf, 47kb)

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Claiming Costs as a Medical Expense

If you are claiming a medical expense on your personal income tax for products and renovations, you must first qualify for the Disability Tax Credit- Form T2201E

You can claim medical expenses you or your spouse or common-law partner paid for any of the following persons:

• yourself
• your spouse or common-law partner
• you or your spouse or common-law partner's child or grandchild who depended on you for support
• you or your spouse or common-law partner's parent, grandparent, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, niece, or nephew who lived in Canada at any time in the year and depended on you for support.

Renovating Costs

Certain costs may be claimed for a person who has a severe and prolonged mobility impairment or who lacks normal physical development. This is the case if changes have been made to give the person access to (or be more mobile or functional within) the home. The costs may be incurred in building the principal residence of the person, or in renovating or altering an existing principal residence. These costs can be claimed, minus any related rebates such as goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST). Make sure you get a breakdown of the costs.

Costs could include:

• the buying and installing of outdoor or indoor ramps where stairways impede the person's mobility;
• the enlarging of halls and doorways to give the person access to the various rooms of his or her dwelling; and
• the lowering of kitchen or bathroom cabinets to give the person access to them.

Information Source Revenue Canada

Please speak with your accountant about claiming the cost of product and installation.

Ask him/her about also claiming GST

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Federal Non Refundable Tax Credits

The disability amount is a non-refundable credit that a person with a qualifying disability can claim to reduce the amount of income tax he or she has to pay in a year. This amount includes a supplement for persons under 18 at the end of the year.

Complete Part A of

Form T2201, Disability Tax Credit Certificate

You can send the form any time of the year. However, you should send it before you file your return to prevent a delay in your assessment, especially if you file electronically. Your application will be reviewed before your return is assessed.

If you receive Canada Pension Plan or Quebec Pension Plan disability benefits, workers' compensation benefits, or other types of disability or insurance benefits, it does not necessarily mean you are eligible for the disability amount. These programs have other purposes and different criteria, such as an individual's inability to work.

The Canada Revenue Agency must approve Form T2201 for you to be eligible for the disability amount. If you have been approved for the disability amount, you can claim $6,486 Federal Tax and $6499 Provincial Tax.

MEDICAL CLAIM

You may be able to claim medical expenses you paid during the year to help offset some of the tax you have to pay. You can claim medical expenses paid in any 12-month period ending in the year.

According to the formula under subsection 118.2(1), assuming there is no adjustment, the allowable portion of the qualifying medical expenses claimed is the portion of those expenses that exceeds the lesser of the following two amounts: a fixed amount $1813 (2004) - this will increase in subsequent years each time there is an annual indexation adjustment), or 3% of the individual's net income (line 236) for the year.

To determine the medical claim, the allowable portion of the expenses is multiplied by the lowest tax rate percentage for the year (rate varies depending on the province of taxation). In Ontario, the lowest tax rate percentage ranges from 22.05% - 25.42% for 2004. For example, assume that an individual, whose net income for 2004 is $50,000, incurs $5,000 of qualifying medical expenses. Since 3% of $50,000 = $1,500 is less than the 2004 fixed amount of $1,813, the individual's medical claim is 22.05% of ($5,000 - $1,500) = $771.75.

NOTE: Consult your financial advisor and/or accountant to determine the value of the tax credit/claim.

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CMHC- HASI and RRAP Program Information

Financial assistance in the form of a forgivable loan may be available to you for the complete installation of a Seabridge Walk-In Bath or Slide In Bath through the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). Please review the six CMHC programs available to find the program that applies to your specific situation. Consult the office in your region by using the telephone numbers provided at the end of this document. Home Adaptations for Seniors Independence Program (HASI)

This program helps homeowners and landlords pay for minor home adaptations to extend the time low-income seniors can live in their own homes independently.

Who is eligible?

Homeowners and landlords may qualify for assistance as long as the occupant of the dwelling where the adaptations will be made meets the following eligibility criteria:

• is 65 and over;
• has difficulty with daily living activities brought on by ageing;
• total household income is at or below a specified limit for your area;
• dwelling unit is a permanent residence.

What financial assistance is available?

Assistance is a forgivable loan of up to $3,500. The loan does not have to be repaid as long as the homeowner agrees to continue to occupy the unit for the loan forgiveness period, which is six months. If the adaptation work is being done on a rental unit, the landlord must agree that rents will not increase as a result.

What sorts of adaptations can be done?

The adaptations should be minor items that meet the needs of seniors with an age-related disability. They could be:

• handrails;
• easy-to-reach work and storage areas in the kitchen;
• lever handles on doors;
• walk-in showers with grab bars;
• bathtub grab bars and seats.

All adaptations should be permanent and fixed to the dwelling.

IMPORTANT: Work carried out before the loan is approved in writing is not eligible for funding under this program.

Homeowner Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program - Homeowner RRAP

The Homeowner RRAP offers financial assistance to low-income households who own and occupy substandard housing to enable them to repair their dwellings to a minimum level of health and safety.

Who is eligible?

Homeowners may apply if:

• the value of their house is below a specified figure; and
• their household income is at or below established ceilings (limits) based on household size and area.

 Properties must be lacking basic facilities or require major repair in one or more of five categories:

• structural;
• electrical;
• plumbing;
• heating;
• fire safety.

Assistance may also be available to alleviate overcrowding.

Other criteria may be applicable. Consult the Information Contact in your area

What assistance is available?

The maximum loan amounts available vary according to the three geographic zones. Additional assistance may be available in areas defined as remote.

IMPORTANT: Work carried out before the loan is approved in writing is not eligible for funding under this program.

Rental Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program - Rental RRAP

The Rental Residential Rehabilitation Program (Rental RRAP) offers financial assistance to landlords of affordable housing to pay for mandatory repairs to self-contained units occupied by low-income tenants. Mandatory repairs are those required to bring properties up to minimum levels of health and safety.

Who is eligible?

Owners (landlords) of affordable self-contained housing units may apply if:

• the household incomes of their tenants are at or below the established ceilings (these vary based on household size and area of the country).
• the projects have pre- and post-RRAP rents at or below the median market rent for the local area .CMHC can assist with market rent information.
• the property lacks basic facilities or requires major repair in one or more of the following five categories: structural, electrical, plumbing, heating and fire safety.
• tenants are not family relatives of the owner.

What assistance is available?

The assistance is a fully forgivable loan covering up to 100 percent of the cost of mandatory repairs with certain conditions attached. Landlords must also:

• agree to place a ceiling on the rents that may be charged after the repairs are completed
• limit rent increases during the term of the agreement
• agree to limit new occupancy to tenants with incomes at or below the income ceiling
• cover cost of mandatory repairs above the maximum forgivable loan available.

Additional assistance may be available in areas defined as remote.

IMPORTANT: Work carried out before the loan is approved in writing is not eligible for funding under this program.

Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program for Persons with Disabilities (RRAP-Disabilities)

The Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) for Persons with Disabilities offers financial assistance to homeowners and landlords to undertake accessibility work to modify dwellings occupied or intended for occupancy by low-income persons with disabilities.

Who is eligible?

Homeowners may apply if:

• the value of their house is below a specified figure, and
• their household income is at or below established ceilings (limits) based on household size and area.

Landlords may apply for modifications to units if:

• the rents are at or below established levels, and
• the units are occupied by tenants with incomes at or below the income ceilings.

Assistance is also available to landlords owning rooming houses with rents below established levels. Properties must meet minimum health and safety standards.

What assistance is available?

Assistance is in the form of a forgivable loan.

For homeowners, assistance is provided for one hundred per cent (100%) of the total cost of the modifications up to the maximum loan amount for the area. Homeowners must agree to continue to own and occupy the home for the term of the loan.

For landlords, 100 percent forgiveness is available for accessibility modifications up to the maximum loan on eligible units. Landlords must agree that:

• the units will continue to be affordable to tenants, and
• in the case of rental units, new occupancy be limited to households with incomes at or below established income ceilings.

Additional assistance may be available in remote areas.

IMPORTANT: Work carried out before the loan is approved in writing is not eligible for funding under this program.

Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) -  Rooming House

The Rooming House RRAP offers repair assistance to owners of rooming houses who offer affordable rents to low-income individuals.

Who is eligible?

Owners (landlords) of rooming houses intended as permanent accommodation for the occupants may apply if:

• rental rates for the bed units are at or below established levels for the market area, and
• the property must lack basic facilities, or require major repair in one or more of five categories: structural, electrical, plumbing, heating and fire safety.
• tenants are not family relatives of the owner.

What assistance is available?

The assistance is a fully forgivable loan of up to 100 percent of the cost of mandatory repairs up to the maximum loan available. The maximum amount per bed-unit varies according to three geographic zones:

Additional assistance may be available in areas defined as remote.

IMPORTANT: Work carried out before the loan is approved in writing is not eligible for funding under this program.

The owner must cover the cost of mandatory repairs in excess of the maximum loan available. Eligible repairs are limited to mandatory repairs required to bring rooming houses up to minimum levels of health and safety.

Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) Conversion

The RRAP - Conversion provides assistance to convert non-residential properties into affordable self-contained rental housing units or bed-units. This program is available in all areas.

Who is eligible?

Eligible clients are those owning and converting non-residential properties to create affordable rental accommodation for low-income households. These clients include:

• private entrepreneurs
• non-profit corporations
• First Nations.

Eligible properties must be:

• environmentally safe
• feasibly converted to residential accommodation
• viable based on agreed post-conversion rents.

What assistance is available?

The assistance is a fully forgivable loan, which does not have to be repaid provided the owner meets certain conditions. The maximum loan available varies with the type of units being created, and area of the country, as follows:

A 25 percent supplement in assistance is available in remote areas. Only work related to the conversion and rehabilitation of non-residential properties to create residential units and bed-units is eligible.

IMPORTANT: Work carried out before the loan is approved in writing is not eligible for funding under this program.

Contact Information for CMHC Offices throughout Canada:

British Columbia

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Toll-free: 1-800-639-3938

Alberta

Edmonton
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Tel.: (780) 423-8735

Calgary
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Toll-free: 1-877-499-7245

Saskatchewan

http://www.municipal.gov.sk.ca
Email: infohousing@mah.gov.sk.ca

• In Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Regina or Saskatoon, call your local Housing Authority.
• If you live in a northern community, call the Prince Albert office, toll-free at 1-800-667-9656.
• If you live in another location, call toll-free 1-800-814-8688 to be referred to the nearest Territory Operations office.

Manitoba

Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation
Family Services and Housing
In Winnipeg: 945-4714
Toll-free: 1-888-243-7415 (from other regions)

Ontario

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Toll-free: 1-800-704-6488
Email: rrap_ontario@cmhc-schl.gc.ca

Quebec

Société d'habitation du Québec

http://www.shq.gouv.qc.ca/en/pg/index.html
E-mail: infoshq@shq.gouv.qc.ca

Québec City

Tel.: (418) 643-7676
Fax : (418) 643-4560

Toll-free: 1-800-463-4315 (from outside Québec City)

New Brunswick

Department of Family and Community Services
P. O. Box 6000
Fredericton, NB
E3B 5H1 Canada

Tel.: (506) 457-7868
Fax: (506) 453-7478

http://www.gnb.ca/0017/index-e.asp

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia Department of Community Services
Housing - Head Office
Tel.: (902) 424-3280

http://www.gov.ns.ca/coms/hous/programs

Prince Edward Island

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Tel.: (902) 566-7349

Newfoundland and Labrador

Provincial Home Repair Program (PHRP)

http://www.nlhc.nf.ca/programs/phrp.htm

Corner Brook
Tel.: (709) 639-5201

Gander
Tel.: (709) 256-1300

Goose Bay
Tel.: (709) 896-1920

Grand Falls
Tel.: (709) 292-1000

Marystown
Tel.: (709) 279-5375

Stephenville
Tel.: (709) 643-6826

Avalon
Tel.: (709) 724-3187

Nunavut

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Tel.: (867) 873-2637

Yukon

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Toll-free: 1-800-331-8794

Northwest Territories

Northwest Territories Housing Corporation (NWTHC)
Programs Division
Tel.: (867) 920-6534

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Department of Veterans Affairs-Veterans Independence Program

General Inquiries

All questions or comments on your VAC services and benefits may be directed to the following toll-free number:

1-866-522-2122 (English)
1-866-522-2022 (French)

E-mail: information@vac-acc.gc.ca

Addresses of Regional/District/BPA Offices

• Atlantic Region
• Quebec Region
• Ontario Region
• Prairie Region
• Pacific Region

Other Inquiries

Client inquiries related to Canada Remembers, the Bureau of Pension Advocates, the Veterans Review and Appeal Board or other branches/units within the department will continue to use the existing toll-free numbers listed below:

Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP): 1-877-566-8609 (Toll-free)

• If you reside in Charlottetown, PE: 566-8567
• Access to Information and Privacy Office
  Veterans Affairs Canada
  PO Box 7700
  Charlottetown, PE C1A 8M9
• E-mail: atip-aiprp@vac-acc.gc.ca

Bureau of Pensions Advocates: 1-877-228-2250

• Head Office and Appeals Unit
  P.O. Box 7700
  Charlottetown, PE C1A 8M9

Canada Remembers: 1-877-604-8489

• Veterans' Week and Educational Resource Materials Inquiries:
  1-877-604-8469
• Travel Subsidy Inquiries: 1-800-443-0394

Foreign Countries Operations: 1-866-522-2122 in Canada (English, Toll-free)

If you reside in:

• United States : 1-888-996-2242 (Toll-free)
• United Kingdom , Germany, France, or Belgium:
  00-800-996-22421 (Toll-free)
• Any other country: (613) 996-2242 (Collect)

Veterans Review and Appeal Board: 1-800-450-8006

• If you reside outside Canada: 1-902-566-8835
• P.O. Box 9900
  Charlottetown , PE, C1A 8V7
• Web site: www.vrab-tacra.gc.ca