Overcoming a Denied ADHD Claim: How Expert Advocacy Secured $10,000 in Retroactive Refunds for a 9-Year-Old Boy
"I highly recommend Disability Credit Canada. They were incredibly helpful, courteous, and efficient throughout the entire process. Their team kept me updated at every stage of the application and supported us from start to finish. I truly appreciated their professionalism and dedication we felt guided and cared for every step of the way"
Dana Amar
The Challenge: Overcoming a Previous Denial
Many families apply for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) on their own, only to be met with a rejection letter. This was the situation for a 9-year-old boy diagnosed with ADHD at age seven. Despite having a clear diagnosis and undergoing multiple therapies, his family’s initial self-application was denied by the CRA.
His struggles were significant and safety-critical:
- Dangerous Impulsivity: He would frequently dart into traffic or move without looking, requiring constant physical supervision.
- Self-Harm: When emotionally overwhelmed, he would bang his head against walls—a clear sign of severe emotional dysregulation.
- Persistent Symptoms: Even with medication and behavioural/occupational therapy, his symptoms remained a daily hurdle.
The DCCI Strategy: Expertise Under Pressure
When the family came to DCCI after their denial, we knew we had to build a much more robust, evidence-based file.
- Customized Sample Paperwork: We started by providing a specialized set of forms tailored to his specific behaviors—moving beyond the “ADHD” label to focus on his “lack of sense of danger” and “emotional breakdowns.”
- Navigating the “Clarification Request”: As is common with previously denied cases, the CRA requested additional information and specific medical reports. This is where most families feel defeated, but DCCI stepped in to manage the heavy lifting.
- Clinical Review & Submission: Our team meticulously reviewed his medical records and therapy reports. We didn’t just forward documents; we selected and submitted the specific evidence that aligned with the CRA’s legislative criteria.
- Guiding the Follow-Up: We provided the family and their doctor with sample answers for the CRA’s supplemental questionnaire, ensuring that the additional information provided was consistent, clinical, and compelling.
The Outcome: A Win Against the Odds
The DCCI team’s persistent expertise led to the CRA’s previous decision being overturned.
- Approval Status: Approved from 2023 through 2030.
- Retroactive Refund: $10,000 in immediate benefits.
- Long-Term Support: The approval ensures the family has access to the Child Disability Benefit (CDB) and can open an RDSP for the child’s future.
Key Takeaway
A denial from the CRA often means the right information wasn’t presented in the right way. This case proves that with the right advocacy and a deep understanding of medical documentation, even the most challenging ADHD cases can be approved.