Notice #457 – Alternate forms of consent and authorization for Canada Disability Savings Program application and transfer forms
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Information bulletin
Number: CDSP/PCEI-2022/23-001-457
Date: August 19, 2022
Subject: Alternate forms of consent and authorization for Canada Disability Savings Program application and transfer forms
Purpose
To announce that Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) will permit alternative forms of consent and authorization for Canada Disability Savings Program (CDSP) application and transfer forms.
Background
ESDC is committed to supporting Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) issuers in making the Canada Disability Savings Bond (the Bond) and Canada Disability Savings Grant (the Grant) application processes easier and more efficient for both the issuer and for current or potential RDSP beneficiaries and holders. For that reason, ESDC will permit the use of alternative forms of consent and authorization such as e-signatures or voice recordings.
There is no impact on other published ESDC forms.
What the changes include
Alternate forms of consent and authorization are accepted.
ESDC currently provides application forms for the Bond and the Grant, and related aspects of the CDSP, but not for the RDSP itself, as this is the responsibility of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). In doing so, ESDC specifies that certain required information is being collected including, confirmations and authorizations on the following forms:
- Application for Canada Disability Savings Grant and/or Canada Disability Savings Bond (EMP5608)
- Annex A: Joint holder to the Application for Canada Disability Savings Grant and/or Canada Disability Savings Bond (EMP5609)
- Annex B: Primary Caregiver to the Application for Canada Disability Savings Grant and/or Canada Disability Savings Bond (EMP5610)
- Revocation of Request for Canada Disability Savings Grants and/or Canada Disability Savings Bonds (EMP5490)
- Registered Disability Savings Plan Transfer (EMP5611)
- Holder Consent to a Registered Disability Savings Plan Transfer (EMP5612)
On Bond and Grant application forms (EMP5608; EMP5609; EMP5610; and EMP5490), the holder(s) and the beneficiary (or the individual or entity acting on their behalf) are required to provide a signature in several areas to:
- indicate their declaration and consent to apply for the Bond and/or the Grant
- confirm that the beneficiary meets all eligibility criteria
- acknowledge that provision of information is required for the Government of Canada to pay the Bond and/or Grant, and
- confirm that the individual has read, understood, and received a copy of the relevant application forms, including the privacy rights, and that the consent to the use and sharing of personal information as outlined
Coming into force
As of June 10, 2022, RDSP issuers may now accept alternative forms of consent and authorization (example: e-signatures, voice recordings of telephone conversations with clients, etc.) for CDSP application and transfer forms. Issuers are responsible for ensuring that required information is collected in accordance with all applicable laws governing the protection of personal information, and that it can be demonstrated that the client’s consent and authorization have been obtained, which may be verified during a compliance review conducted by CESP.
Contact us
If you have any questions regarding this notice, please contact us:
- by using our online contact page
- by e-mail at rdsp-reei@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
- by phone at 1-866-204-0357
Our business hours are from 8 am to 5 pm, Eastern Time.
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