Independent Living is about choice, flexibility and control for people with various disabilities-
Independent Living Vernon (ILV) is a resource centre for people with various disabilities. Its mission is to provide information about community resources and government programs.
For example, ILV provides information to people with various disabilities about the disability tax credit, which is a non-refundable tax credit. Information and the application form can be accessed though the Canada Revenue Agency at www.cra-arc.gc.ca. The application requires it to be completed by a physician. ILV has hard copies available in our office for free. ILV also has volunteers that come in once a month, throughout the year, to prepare tax returns for people who are on low-income.
Sometimes, the tax return from applying for this credit can be a significant amount of money for people with disabilities.
For example, ILV has assisted people who have received $8,000 to $20,000. There are a number of businesses ILV has seen in Vernon who advertise they can help people to apply for the tax credit or completing any past tax returns. For this service, they can charge between 20 to 33 per cent of the total the person gets back from the government. On a $9,000 return that can be up to a $3,000 fee. For free information on the disability tax credit or other resources, contact ILV at 250-545-9292 or www.ilvernon.ca
Laura Hockman,
ILV executive director
