Dtc: any thoughts that would help with this process

Re: DTC: i got turned down after being asked to respond to a questionnaire. It seems really difficult to get this support now. I was told that before I appeal I can submit “additional info” within the year to support my original application. Has anyone gone thru this process. I have been supported so far with LTD, CPP-D and my pension insurance but was hoping for this approval to help me out financially.

I think it is easy to get (at least it was when I applied in 2008ish).
I don’t know anyone that has had to appeal.
Do you know what additional info they want?
I don’t know if David has written a how-to guide.
I copied the example on the website.

We will be producing how to information on the DTC in the coming months, but right now we really don’t have any guidance for people. The DTC can be difficult but like may things it depends on the adjudicator you have at Rev Canada and also the information your doctor has given. The requirements are very specific and can in most cases are more onerous than what is needed to qualify for CPPD.


David Brannen

Disability Lawyer with Resolute Legal

_The response posted above is based on the limited factual information made available and is not intended as a full and complete response to the question. The only reliabile manner to obtain complete and adequate legal advice is to consult with a lawyer, fully explain your situation, and allow the lawyer enough time to research the applicable law and facts required to give an adequate opinion. The basic information provided above is intended as a public service only, a full one-on-one discussion with a lawyer should be done before taking any any action. The information posted on this forum is available to the viewing public and is not intended to create a lawyer client relationship with any person. If you want one-on-one advice, please click here to request a free consultation or call toll free 1-877-282-5188 to speak with a member with our disability claim support team._strong text

Thanks everyone for you replies. My Family Dr. told me that they are making it much harder for people to qualify. They took time reviewing my application and I really thought I would qualify. They even told me how much I would most likely get in back payment but when I filled out the very specific questionnaire they sent to my Family Dr, you would almost have to be bed ridden to be approved. You have to be 90% dysfunctional in an area. For example, walking (not including how I have been with the fall) my fatigue, sweating and nausea (and now burning feet) really limits on a regular basis my walking and how long I can be out. It is really awful - I think I now have a peripheral neuropathy. My Dr. suggested that I try and see if my Specialist will send additional information to add to the original application. It was suggested to me that I do this before deciding to appeal. The letter I received did not discount the seriousness of my disease but in terms of my functioning, I am not bad enough in their eyes. I really should have put 90% re: walking (part of that is my own denial - don’t want to be this disabled) but I truly struggle. My feet burn when I am not on them. Not sure if it is worth pursuing this.

My first application for DTC was denied. Then I just gathered all the documentation and sent it all as an appeal. They approved me second time. It’s much easier than CPP-Disability.

Just gather any additional medical documents/reports, write a letter explaining how your condition causes limitations in your daily activities and appeal the first decision.

They will probably send a questionnaire to your doctor to fill out. When your doctor sends the answers then you should expect a decision.

A report from a specialist is WAY better than a family doctor.
It doesn’t have to be one thing that makes you disabled enough, it is how everything put together does.

For me:

You are markedly restricted if substantially all the time, it takes you
an inordinate amount of time to perform one or more of the
basic activities of daily living

I checked not applicable for everything in step 2 and I attached a separate page with a sentence under each of these headings.

Speaking

Walking

Feeding

Dressing

Prolonged – An impairment is prolonged if it has lasted,
or is expected to last, for a continuous period of at least
12 months.
I have a genetic disease confirmed by a specialist.

Qualified practitioner – Qualified practitioners are medical
doctors, optometrists, audiologists, occupational therapists,
physiotherapists, psychologists, and speech-language
pathologists. The table on page 2 of the form lists which
sections of the form each can certify.
My neurologist. :slight_smile:
I would never rely on a family doctor.
Maybe you have multiple specialists. :slight_smile:
Each one can do their own section, I don’t see how that wouldn’t work.

I don’t want to post exactly what I wrote because I don’t want people copying it. :slight_smile:

They did not deny me initially, they asked for further information after a delay in reviewing my case and my Dr. & I responded to a very specific questionnaire they sent. If I had stated that my walking was a problem 90% of the time I think I would have been accepted. I was really tired when I spoke to my Dr. and was not thinking clearly because my walking issues are related to my sarcoidosis symptoms (ext fatigue, sweating, nausea particularly when doing marginal activity also with new symptoms over the last month: red, hot burning feet (neuropathy?) which has interfered significantly with my walking and ability to grocery shop etc. My knee injury from a fall has actually improved. Their questionnaire leads you to believe that you almost have to be permanently bed ridden to acquire this benefit. My Dr. told me that they (gov) were really cutting back on those they approve. I have not been officially diagnosed with a neuropathy but unfortunately I am sure that is what I have via my symptoms which can have multiple causes including my disease or diabetes caused by my Prednisone or long term use of blood pressure meds. I was going to write a letter and was hoping my new physician (Respirologist) might be able to write a note on my behalf for new information. We will see. Can I actually write a letter or does it need to be from my physician only re: adding additional information. I thought I would write a letter and then try to get additional information from my new Doc to add to this. My Family Physician is just flooded with reports and suggested that I see if my new physician would do this. She is already writing a report for my LTD. (2 year mark) I know when they try to get me down off the Prednisone that I will become even more ill with a resurgence of nasty symptoms. If my condition continues to get worse I will need the finances to help me move closer to family which is 5 hrs away therefore will most likely need about $5000. This retro income from DTC would really help in this regard.

I wrote letter from myself. It can be both from you and your doctor.

I just told them how much my condition limits my life in everyday activities like shopping, taking transportation, household activities and so on.

I typed stuff and my neurologist stamped it.

I read today that the gov. is cracking down on Type 1 diabetics who get the DTC so I believe they are making it harder to get,
I hope you get it.

Hi Rupert: That’s an interesting statement from your Dr. considering this year the Government changed the rules so that those that didn’t fit into the above categories could now qualify due to the “cumulative effect of significant restrictions”.

My Doctor stated that she had a patient with severe anxiety & depression who did not qualify either. She wrote a very good report for me and they needed time to review and then asked for a questionnaire with basic questions and the degree I was disabled. My Doctor had me come in to answer these questions, however, at the time I was not feeling well with sleep loss and I don’t think I answered the percentage properly with regard to my walking. My major loss of functioning is with my walking/standing/stari climbing which is terrible - can only walk short distances and stand for a few minutes before needing to sit down (further loss of functioning due to my fall which was acute resulting with me tearing a number of knee ligaments and breaking my elbow was not taken in consideration in the questionaire - only the effects of the chronic Sarcoidosis) My walking (only a short distance - maybe 5 or 10 minutes) with the Sarcoidosis includes: SOB, chest pressure/pain, sweating and recently which was not in the application was burning feet which is being investigated and not uncommon neurologically with Sarcoidosis. So standing is also very difficult. I was going to submit this as new information. I also have severe "flare-ups’ with this disease, the last one lasting several months and spend most of the time laying down - like a very severe flu with an explosive coughing and intense fatigue. Functioning is much worse. I can manage basic dressing, eating and basic decision making although focusing on detailed info and responding is often very difficult re: “fog brain” which is also not uncommon re: the disease and the strong meds. Grocery shopping, shopping of any kind, meal preparation cleaning is very difficult particularly when having these “flare-ups”. Also they are planning to withdraw me off of Prednisone and I have become very sick previously x3 with what I think is withdrawal and active Sarcoid appearing again. In the letter they said recognized the seriousness of my disease but did not think my functioning according to the act was severe enough and stated that I could provide additional info if I did not agree.

Ya, but highlight it takes you significantly longer than a normal person.
Highlight what activities are affected by “fog brain”.
Don’t “play down” the effects.