Tips for Filling out the Disability Tax Credit Form

It is important to acknowledge that filling out forms like the Disability Tax Credit may be emotionally exhausting and very fatiguing so you may need to pace yourself. Often one of the reasons people feel overwhelmed is that one has to assess their symptoms in detail and discuss how multiple sclerosis has created challenges in basic activities of daily living. However, it is essential that you do this -- the discussion that you have with your doctor around your daily challenges is crucial to filling out these forms.

• When you meet with your doctor it is in your best interest to discuss in detail how multiple sclerosis has impacted your basic activities of daily living.

• Use clear concrete examples when describing how multiple sclerosis has impacted your basic activities of daily life. For example, describing dressing:

"Putting on pants is difficult because of my lack of balance-I have to sit down or lie on the bed. I usually do not wear blouses or anything with buttons because buttoning or putting on jewelry is too difficult, as I have lost the use of my fine motor skills. I have to sit down and use support to put on socks or shoes. It usually takes me thirty minutes to get dressed and then I have to lie down for one hour because I am so exhausted."

• Be consistent and open when describing how multiple sclerosis has affected your ability to walk, dress, or feed yourself, or other basic activities of daily life listed above.

• Encourage your doctor to attach a letter on her or her office letterhead detailing and explaining how MS has impacted your life rather than just checking the boxes marked "yes" or "no". If your doctor appears unwilling to write the letter, write a personal letter outlining the impact of MS on your activities of daily living and discuss it with your doctor. With a clearer understanding of the impact of MS in your particular situation, your doctor may be more willing to write a letter in support of your application.

• Carefully read what your doctor has written and make sure that you agree with what he or she has stated. If you don't agree then you may want to discuss your concerns with your doctor.

• If you write a letter to accompany your Disability Tax Form give detailed, relevant and focused information that will clarify each answer. For example:

  "Often my fatigue is so severe I cannot even get myself out of bed. My fatigue is so harsh that as soon as it hits I have to lie down and sleep. Consequently, when my fatigue exacerbates, walking 50 meters is not something that I would even attempt - at this point walking from my bed to the washroom is a challenge."

• It is essential that the person that you choose to fill out the Disability Tax Form understands multiple sclerosis and supports your decision to apply for the credit.

• Photocopy everything that you send and keep a copy of it in a safe place.