New Canada Disability Savings Program System Release (Version 2.1)

Purpose

This notice is to inform you that on May 4, 2010 a new Canada Disability Savings Program (CDSP) system release (Version 2.1) will be implemented. The new version incorporates six new transactions into the CDSP system. The record types (RT) are as follows:

• RT 401 - 10 Repayment of Grant and/or Bond
• RT 401 - 11 Reverse Repayment of Grant and/or Bond
• RT 401 - 20 Disability Assistance Payment (DAP)
• RT 401 - 21 Lifetime Disability Assistance Payment (LDAP)
• RT 701 - 01 Monthly Reporting of Assistance Holdback Amount and Fair Market Value (FMV)
• RT 701 - 02 Reporting a Transfer – Assistance Holdback Amount, FMV, Earnings and Non-Taxable Amount

Additionally, Version 2.1 completes the implementation of both the transfer and re-adjudication functionalities.

A new version of the CDSP Interface Transaction Standards (ITS - Version 2.1) outlining the data elements and validation rules for the above-mentioned transactions is attached.

Required System Changes

For this release, Issuers/Authorized Agents must ensure the ability to send and receive certain transactions and reports as outlined below. Not doing so will impede the ability to exchange files with the CDSP or delay the successful processing of reported transactions.

Data to be sent to CDSP

Issuers/Authorized Agents are required to implement the following changes to their system prior to the May 6, 2010 deadline for the submission of transaction files for the May production period.

• File Name Change – Add new component "Transactions Latest Month" to the "File Naming Standards". Files being sent electronically to CDSP must contain this component. (Section 6.8 of ITS Version 2.1.)
• Data Element Change – Add new data elements "Other Contract" and "Other Specimen Plan" to the RT "101-01" – Contract Registration Information transaction for the transfer of a contract. (Section 7.4.1 of ITS Version 2.1.)

Receipt of Production Files

To ensure the continued receipt of production files Issuers/Authorized Agents will be required to implement the following changes to their system for the May production period:

• Data Version Change – Files being received electronically from CDSP will now contain Data Version - "02.1" (Transaction Position 33-36) in the Record Type "001" – Header Record. (Current data versions on files being sent to CDSP can be maintained until Issuer implementation of Version 2.1.)
• Transaction Origin Change – New transaction origins (07 through 12) relating to re-adjudication and CDSP system reversals may be included in the RT 901 – Transaction Processing Report. (Section 9 of ITS Version 2.1.)
• Data Element Change – New data elements "Reason for Change of Contract Status" and "Transfer Status" will be added to the RT 951 – Contract Status Report. (Section 11 of ITS Version 2.1.)
• Error Code Change – New error code 8261- "Must not change after transfer resolved" may be reported in the 801 Error Report. (Section 7.4.1.1 of ITS Version 2.1.)

System Readiness

Issuers/Authorized Agents can begin submitting the new RT transactions included in Version 2.1 beginning with the May 2010 production run. Complete system readiness is required by December 1, 2010.

Industry Testing

Before files containing transactions for the new CDSP system release (Version 2.1) can be accepted, all Issuers/Authorized Agents must pass Industry Testing. The testing serves to verify that the sender can forward pertinent information to the CDSP system in the correct format.

Review files prior to submission to ensure that only transactions that have passed Industry Testing are submitted. In the event submitted files contain transactions that have not passed Industry Testing, the entire file will be rejected and Issuers/Authorized Agents will be required to remove the transactions and resubmit the corrected production file.

An updated version of the Industry Testing Guide containing testing requirements for the additional six transactions contained in version 2.1 will be available in early March, 2010.

Additional Information

Please contact us with any questions you may have by e-mail at rdsp-reei@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca or by phone at 1-888-276-3632.