Eligibility and Contributions

Who can become a beneficiary of a registered disability savings plan?

Any individual can be designated as a beneficiary if he or she:

• is eligible for the disability amount;
• has a valid social insurance number (SIN);
• is a resident in Canada and at the time the plan is entered into;
• is under the age of 60. This age limit is not applicable when a beneficiary’s RDSP is opened as a result of a transfer from the beneficiary’s prior RDSP.

Note
A person is eligible for the disability amount only if a qualified practitioner certifies on Form T2201, Disability Tax Credit Certificate, that the individual has a severe and prolonged impairment. The form must also be approved by CRA and certified as being eligible for the disability amount.

Who can contribute to the registered disability savings plan?

Anyone can contribute to an RDSP with the written permission of the plan holder. For more information on who is qualified to become a holder please refer to “Who can set up a registered disability savings plan”.

Note
The holder does not have to be a resident of Canada. However, the beneficiary must be a resident of Canada when the plan is opened and when each contribution is made to the plan. RDSP payments can only be made to the beneficiary (or to the beneficiary’s estate after the beneficiary’s death). Contributors will not be entitled to a refund of their contributions.