New – Diabetes Education Line now available
Due to the necessary emergency restrictions currently taking place throughout Canada, it is not easy for some people with diabetes to access a diabetes educator for support and health advice. Diabetes Canada initiated a new initiative in response to this current reality.
This new Diabetes Education Line is in collaboration with volunteer Diabetes Educators and can be accessed via Diabetes Canada’s existing toll-free Info and Support line, 1-800 BANTING (226-8464). Within 24-48 hours of seeking help, a diabetes educator will respond to provide individualized answers and support. Diabetes educators are registered nurses, dietitians, social workers, and pharmacists. The service is free, confidential and provided in both English and French.
Tax credits for people facing special medical costs
Diabetes is an expensive disease to live with. That’s why governments have made some tax credits available to help reduce some of the cost burden to Canadians living with diabetes. These include:
The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is a non-refundable federal tax credit that helps persons with disabilities or their supporting persons reduce the amount of income tax they may have to pay. It was introduced in 1988 and has evolved to recognize the additional costs incurred by Canadians when managing a physical or mental illness, or requiring life-sustaining therapy. People with diabetes typically apply for this credit under the category of life-sustaining therapy. More information on eligibility criteria can be found here.
People who are eligible for the DTC may also qualify for other important programs, including the Registered Disability Savings Program, which allows you to save for future expenses in a tax protected RDSP and attracts government grants and bonds, and the Child Disability Benefit, a tax-free monthly payment made to caregivers of children under age 18 who qualify for the DTC.
In addition to the federal DTC, some provinces and territories have disability tax credits or related programs. Consult your tax professional or provincial or territorial government websites for further information.
For more information, reach out to Plan Institute, which offers a free helpline service to Canadians to support questions about the Disability Tax Credit, the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), trusts & estate planning, housing, social network building, and more. Call from anywhere in Canada on: 1-844-311-7526 or email info@rdsp.com
New — Warning signs of type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes can set in very suddenly and can be extremely dangerous or even fatal if there is a delay in diagnosis and treatment. During COVID-19, though, some Canadians are delaying seeking emergency medical help, and that is causing some physicians to be concerned that cases of type 1 diabetes may be going undiagnosed. Here is an infographic you can share with your constituents to remind them of the signs of type 1 diabetes, and the importance of seeking medical treatment.
