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Evaluation of the Canada Disability Savings Program

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List of abbreviations
AHA
Assistance Holdback Amount
CBO
Community-based organization
CDSP
Canada Disability Savings Program
CDSG
Canada Disability Savings Grant
CDSB
Canada Disability Savings Bond
CRA
Canada Revenue Agency
CSD
Canadian Survey on Disability
DAC
Disability Advisory Committee
DAP
Disability Assistance Payments
DTC
Disability Tax Credit
ESDC
Employment and Social Development Canada
LDAP
Lifetime Disability Assistance Payments
MCA
Multiple Correspondence Analysis
PMEC
Performance Measurement and Evaluation Committee
PRA
Prairie Research Associates
SDSP
Specified Disability Savings Plan
SSPD
Special Services to Persons with Disabilities
RDSP
Registered Disability Savings Plan
RRSP
Registered Retirement Savings Plan
T1FF
T1 Family File

List of figures

List of tables

Introduction

The Canada Disability Savings Program (CDSP) was introduced in 2008 to encourage long-term savings into Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSP).

The Program uses two main savings incentives to support these objectives:

This evaluation examines the effectiveness of the Program using data from 2017 to 2021, by assessing the progress made towards the achievement of the following two key outcomes:

The evaluation has 5 main questions to evaluate the Program's contribution towards these outcomes:

  1. How have communication and outreach strategies of ESDC and other partners helped in raising awareness among persons with disabilities, their families and others (friends, former colleagues, organizations, etc.) concerning accessing the RDSP (the CDSG and/or CDSB)?
  2. What are the efforts made by ESDC to engage with key program stakeholders as well as provincial/territorial counterparts, with regards to the promotion of the program?
  3. What are the barriers or facilitators for those persons with disabilities who have been approved for the DTC and those who may provide them with support to open and maintain an RDSP?
  4. To what extent do the CDSG and CDSB motivate eligible beneficiaries or plan holders to save money into a RDSP?
  5. What are the early impacts of the program on the quality of life or well-being of program beneficiaries and/or plan holders?

Executive summary

Key findings

Improvements in communication and outreach

Ongoing barriers to opening an RDSP

Motivating savings

Challenges related to rules and restrictions of the RDSP

Contributing to confidence in future financial security

Recommendation and observation

Recommendation 1: It is recommended that the Program continue to work with, and support partners and stakeholders, particularly community-based organizations, to improve their capacity to promote the RDSP and the grant and bond, broaden outreach and communication efforts, and provide more one-on-one support as required by certain individuals to open and maintain an RDSP.

Observation 1: In light of the interdependency between the Canada Disability Savings Program (CDSP) and the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) and their respective policy objectives, the Program could work with partners to continue to explore ways to better respond to the unique needs of persons with disabilities. Focus could be placed on identifying barriers some individuals may face in opening an RDSP or realizing the full potential of the CDSP and RDSP for long-term saving.

Management response and action plan

Overall management response

The Canada Disability Savings Program (CDSP) was introduced in 2008 to encourage Canadians with severe and prolonged disabilities and their families to save for the future. The program has two main incentives to encourage savings into Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSP): the Canada Disability Savings Grant (grant) and the Canada Disability Savings Bond (bond).

The program complements other government measures that help support financial security for people with disabilities. As the bond is available to low-and modest-income beneficiaries without requiring any contribution to the RDSP, it reflects the Government of Canada's broader commitment to poverty reduction.

Program administration and delivery are a shared responsibility among Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC or the Department), the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), the Department of Finance Canada, and participating financial institutions (issuers). ESDC's key responsibilities include program policy, interpretation of the Canada Disability Savings Act and Regulations, reporting on program performance, issuing statements of entitlement for grants, public outreach, and the service delivery. The Department of Finance is responsible for the savings vehicle, including the requirements for opening an RDSP and withdrawing from it.

The Department acknowledges that the responsibilities and the rules around RDSPs, the grant, and the bond are complex. The Department agrees with the recommendation and remains dedicated to promoting awareness and improving understanding of the program among the disability community. The Department also takes note of the observation and will continue to look at ways to better respond to the unique needs of persons with disabilities, while being mindful that changes to Plan requirements are the prerogative of the Department of Finance.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Program continue to work with and support partners and stakeholders, particularly community-based organizations, to improve their capacity to promote the RDSP and the grant and bond, broaden outreach and communication efforts, and provide more one-on-one support as required by certain individuals to open and maintain an RDSP.

Management response

The Department agrees with the recommendation and recognizes the critical role that community-based organizations play in reaching persons with disabilities and helping them access the RDSP, the grant, and the bond.

The Department recognizes the importance of broadening outreach and communication efforts. The Department also acknowledges that beneficiaries have different levels of awareness and has been taking steps to ensure effective and clear communication for clients. The Department continues to collaborate with partners with the specific goal of increasing program awareness. As of December 31, 2023, there were more than 282,000 active RDSPs.

Since the last evaluation reference period ended, the Department and partner organizations undertook the following actions to promote and increase access to the program:

These novel undertakings build on the continuous efforts made by the Department and its partners to actively raise program awareness. This includes CDSP's active promotion and engagement through conferences, outreach events, and webinars targeted at disability communities, both in-person and virtually. Between January and December 2024, the team delivered 76 webinars, an increase from 70 in 2023, often in collaboration with the CRA or community-based organizations. These sessions provided information on the DTC, RDSP, grant, and bond, along with practical guidance on how to open a plan and its related benefits. Additionally, to further encourage participation, CDSP has continued to issue direct mail-outs to DTC-approved individuals who have not opened an RDSP. Since 2021, over 2 million promotional letters have been issued.

Management action plan

The Department remains committed to strengthening partnerships and maximizing the program's impact within its budgetary limits. In response to the recommendation, the Department will continue working with partners to raise awareness of the RDSP, the grant, and the bond among eligible Canadians and their families.

Table 1: Management action plan
Element Management action plan Estimated completion date
1.1 Strengthen partnerships with community-based organizations to review options for improving program engagement March 31, 2026
1.2 Review existing communications products and work with stakeholders to improve these products and provide simpler and clearer information on RDSP, grants and bonds March 31, 2026
1.3 Work with ESDC's Public Affairs and Stakeholder Relations Branch (PASRB) and partners such as the Canada Revenue Agency and Service Canada to improve outreach and communication strategy December 31, 2026
1.4 Leverage Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) promotional efforts to increase RDSP, grant and bond awareness December 31, 2026

Program background and description

In 2006, an Expert Panel appointed by the Government of Canada explored approaches to assist parents (and others) to save for the long-term financial security of persons living with disabilities. In Budget 2007, based on recommendations proposed by the Panel, the Government announced the tax-deferred Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). The RDSP became available to Canadians in December 2008. It was introduced to help persons with disabilities improve their long-term financial security by providing a tool to encourage individuals and their families to save for the future.

The Canada Disability Savings Program is jointly managed by Employment and Social Development Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency, which is also responsible for administering the Disability Tax Credit. The legislative authority for the Canada Disability Savings Grant and Canada Disability Savings Bond is the Canada Disability Savings Act and the Canada Disability Savings Regulations, for which Employment and Social Development Canada is responsible. Plans are governed by the Income Tax Act, for which the Department of Finance has responsibility.

The CDSP is comprised of two federal savings incentives that the Government transfers into an active RDSP on an annual basis, including:

The CDSG amount is determined based on the value of the personal contributions and varies based on the beneficiary's adjusted net family income. The contribution matching rate is higher for low and modest-income families. In addition, eligible low- and modest-income families can obtain the CDSB without having to make personal RDSP contributions.

The Government CDSG and CDSB are available to eligible beneficiaries up to December 31st of the year that they turn 49. Withdrawals must commence by December 31 of the year the beneficiary turns 60. At any age, withdrawals can be made without repayment obligation if more than 10 years have elapsed since the last grants and bonds were paid into the plan.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the RDSP, an application for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) must have been submitted to the Canada Revenue Agency for the intended beneficiary and they must have been deemed eligible for the credit by the agencyFootnote 1. To be eligible for the DTC, individuals must have an impairment in physical or mental functions that is severe and prolonged, resulting in a marked restrictionFootnote 2.

The DTC is a non-refundable tax credit that can be claimed by eligible individuals to reduce taxes owing, in recognition of their non-itemizable disability-related costs.

The RDSP is not the only program whose eligibility is tied to the DTC. Other programs include the Child Disability Benefit and the Canada Workers Benefit Disability Supplement as well as the newly introduced Canada Disability Benefit.

Assistance Holdback Amount

The total grant and bond that has been deposited into an RDSP within the previous 10 years is referred to as the Assistance Holdback Amount (AHA)Footnote 3.

Regular withdrawals from the plan must begin by December 31 in the year the beneficiary turns 60. A beneficiary may withdraw money from the account prior to age 60, subject to the terms and conditions of a particular RDSP. However, they may need to repay some, or all, of the Canada Disability Savings Grant (CDSG) and Canada Disability Savings Bond (CDSB) when making a withdrawal. To discourage early withdrawals, withdrawals before the age of 60 are subject to repayment of some or all grant and bond that has been deposited into the RDSP within the previous 10 yearsFootnote 4.

The RDSP is a long-term savings plan. As such, the CDSG and CDSB are intended to encourage long-term savings and must generally remain in an RDSP for at least 10 years. When money is withdrawn, generally all or part of the Assistance Holdback Amount (i.e., grants and bonds that have been in the RDSP for fewer than 10 years) must be repaid to the Government. However, through the Specified Disability Savings Plan, beneficiaries with a shortened life expectancy (i.e., of five years or less) can withdraw up to $10,000 per year in taxable savings without any requirement to repay grant and bond amounts, subject to certain conditions.

Key actions since 2019 evaluation

Since the last evaluation report of the CDSP in 2019, the Government took action to increase access to the CDSP and RDSP, and provide better support to persons with disabilities, including the following:

Cumulative number of RDSP beneficiaries

Between the introduction of the RDSP in 2008 and December 2023, 303,389 RDSPs have been opened by persons with disabilities or their families/caretakers.

Table 2: Distinct count of RDSP beneficiaries, as of December 31, 2023
Description Persons
Cumulative number of RDSP beneficiariesFootnote 5 303,389
Number of beneficiaries with an active RDSPFootnote 6 282,210

By the end of 2023, a total of about $4.48B CDSG payments and a total of about $1.86B CDSB payments were made into these plans. During the same period, personal contributions made amounted to approximately $2.93B.

Table 3: CDSP financial summary (from inception to December 31, 2023)
Description Amounts (billions $)
Cumulative contributions 2.93
Cumulative CDSGFootnote 7 4.48
Cumulative CDSBFootnote 7 1.86

Comparing the CDSP with the CESP

The CDSP provides higher annual maximum amounts and cumulative ceilings for bonds and grants than similar savings programs. However, obtaining the maximum $90,000 in grants and bonds available from the RDSP requires meeting various eligibility requirements. Some beneficiaries may not meet the thresholds to obtain the maximum or partial bond, or the most advantageous matching rates. Some beneficiaries and their families may not be able to make sufficient personal contributions to receive the full grant amount.

Table 4: CESP annual grant
Adjusted family net income for 2024Footnote 8 Basic CESG on the first $2,500 of annual RESP contribution Additional amount of the CESG on the first $500 or less of annual RESP contribution Maximum yearly CESG depending on income and contributions Lifetime maximum CESG (basic and additional combined) Lifetime limit contribution Annual limit of CESG (basic and additional combined)
Less than $55,867 20% = $500 20% = $100 $600 $7,200 $50,000 $600 or $1,100 with carry forward
Between $55,867 and $111,733 20% = $500 10% = $50 $550 $7,200 $50,000 $550 or $ 1,050 with carry forward
More than $111,733 20% = $500 Beneficiary is not eligible $500 $7,200 $50,000 $500 or $1,000 with carry forward
Table 5: CESP annual bond
Adjusted family net income for 2024 Less than $55,867 Between $55,867 and $111,733 More than $111,733
No contribution required $500 first year, plus $100 for each year of eligibility Not eligible Not eligible
Lifetime maximum of Canada Learning Bond $2,000 Not eligible Not eligible
Table 6: CDSP annual grant
Adjusted family net income for 2024 $111,733 or less More than $111,733
Grant depending on income and contributions $111,733 or less More than $111,733
Maximum yearly CDSG depending on income and contributionsFootnote 9 First $500 is matched at 300% = $1,500
Next $1,000 is matched at 200% = $2,000		 First $1,000 is matched at 100% = $1,000
Lifetime maximum of CDSG $3,500 $1,000
Lifetime limit of contribution $70,000 $70,000
Table 7: CDSP annual bond
Adjusted family net income for 2024 $36,502 or less Between $36,502 and $55, 867
No contribution requiredFootnote 10 $1,000 Less than $1,000
Lifetime maximum $20,000 $20,000

1.Outreach and awareness

1.1 ESDC worked with partners to improve awareness of the RDSP

Since the previous evaluation in 2019, a broader and more diverse approach to engaging with potential beneficiaries has been a focus of the Program.

ESDC worked with partners to enhance communication and outreach strategies in efforts to improve awareness of the RDSP among persons with disabilities and their families/caregivers. Key examples of these efforts included:

The promotional efforts most frequently identified by key informants includeFootnote 11:

The survey results show that RDSP holders first learned about the Plan through both formal and informal channels.

The most frequently identified channels of information were the following:

RDSP holders learn about the program from a variety of stakeholders including the government, community-based organizations, banks or financial institutions, independent financial advisors, medical professionals, accountants or provincial governments.

Figure 1: First hearing about RDSPsFootnote 12
Horizontal bar chart showing the communication channels through which survey respondents first heard about the RDSP. See long text description below.
Figure 1: Text description
Response Proportion (%)
Through the Canada Revenue Agency or another Government of Canada organization 22%
From an organization providing services to people with a disability 17%
From a friend or family member 17%
Through my bank or financial institution 10%
Through an independent financial advisor 8%
From a doctor or another medical professional 4%
Through my accountant or another person who helped me file my taxes 4%
Through my provincial or territorial government 2%
Media 1%
Internet search 1%
Other 8%
Don't remember 7%
No response 1%
  • Source: PRA (2024). Survey for the Evaluation of the CDSP, conducted for ESDC’s Evaluation Directorate. Unpublished technical report.
  • Note: Figure 1 shows the different communication channels through which RDSP holders heard about the RDSP for the first time, based on responses to the following survey question: “Q18. Thinking back to when you first opened an RDSP, how did you first hear about this type of savings plan?” Respondents could give more than one answer; therefore, results will sum to more than 100%. The following three categories represent less than 1% of responses each: media, internet search and no response.

1.2 Mass mail-outs from CRA / ESDC were well-recognized and encouraged some individuals to open an RDSP

The most effective form of outreach appeared to be mass mail-outs from CRA / ESDC and other federal departments/agencies serving persons with disabilities:

Community-based organizations (CBOs) also played a role in encouraging and supporting applications to the RDSP. While promotion by CBOs was not as well-recognized as government sources of outreach, some considered it to be effective, often because CBOs are well-placed to reach and provide one-on-one application support to persons with disabilities:

Few plan holders, beneficiaries or stakeholders spoke about outreach and promotion by provincial and territorial partners. However, those that did found it to be informal:

Most plan holders, beneficiaries and stakeholders indicated that any promotion by financial institutions was primarily passive:

1.3 Some stakeholders and partners felt that communication and outreach to their organization could be improved to help them better promote and support the delivery of the RDSP

Outreach

Most informants (5/8) from financial institutions suggested that the federal government should do more to promote the program to the public, through means such as additional promotion or advertising of the program and of the existence of independent financial advisors.

Some informants (3/7) from provincial government organizations also suggested that the federal government should do more to promote the grants and bonds.

Some informants (13/37) mentioned support provided by ESDC for CBOs such as webinars on the Program and attending in-person events. A few informants also referred to information that ESDC provides to help support CBOs with program promotion (5/37).

While most informants from CBOs (7/12) indicated that they were not aware of any tools or supports provided by ESDC, some (5/12) specified certain ESDC tools or supports that were helpful, such as:

Informants also had many suggestions for improving outreach to CBOs, such as:

Informants from CBOs discussed the accessibility of the Program website and expressed mixed views. A third of those who commented said that the format was accessible (4/12), while almost half (5/12) said that the website's accessibility could be improved.

Additionally, the majority of CBO informants (9/12) said that the content of the website was not clear enough, or that some of their clients might find it overwhelming.

Delivery

A few key informants (6/37) mentioned that ESDC provides financial institutions with training or webinars. However, a few informants (4/27) from the provinces and from CBOs suggested providing more training for financial institutions.

Additionally, half of the informants (4/8) from financial institutions suggested that ESDC could provide more information or improve communications with their organizations to facilitate their ability to open and maintain RDSPs. For example, a few informants asked if ESDC could provide them with information about clients' DTC eligibility or offer a contact that they could reach out to with questions about specific cases.

On the other hand, some informants (3/8) from financial institutions indicated that no additional tools or supports were needed, or that they were satisfied with the current tools. Financial institution informants also commented on specific tools that were useful.

Collaboration

A few informants (6/37) mentioned ESDC's or CRA's engagement with the provinces and/or territories through different activities such as participation in action groups or committees. However, a few informants (3/27) from provincial government and community-based organizations felt that there were opportunities to enhance engagement with ESDC.

While a few informants (5/37) mentioned grants to CBOs as a form of collaboration and support, a few informants (3/27) from provincial government and community-based organizations suggested adopting a more sustained and coordinated approach to supporting promotion of the Program amongst CBOs.

Some (3/12) informants from CBOs specifically suggested that they would be interested in additional collaboration with ESDC.

1.4 There is a need for more one-on-one support and improved targeting of outreach efforts to better enable some potential beneficiaries to open an RDSP

Despite the general effectiveness of certain outreach and communication efforts to promote the RDSP, there are two key barriers that either prevent certain individuals from opening an RDSP or from maximizing their contributions to the Plan, including the need for more one-on-one support after raising awareness and the limitations of communication and outreach efforts.

Need for more one-on-one support after raising awareness

Some informants (15/37),Footnote 13 including informants from all stakeholder groups and the majority of provincial/territorial government stakeholders (5/7), suggested that there is a need to provide more one-on-one support with applying for an RDSP following efforts to raise awareness.

Some informants (9/37) pointed out that the program can only benefit those who manage to open the RDSP, alluding to the barriers that some persons with disabilities or caregivers experience when accessing the Program.

Furthermore, some informants (5/37) indicated that the RDSP is easy to understand and access for some but less so for others.

A few (2/37) also indicated that marketing of the RDSP is effective, but that other elements of the Plan deter people, and that one-on-one support could help them better understand the complex elements.

Limitations of communication and outreach efforts

Some felt that the way outreach is targeted, and its timing, may be preventing certain individuals from maximizing their lifetime contributions.

Participants in several focus groupsFootnote 14 mentioned that the government should better promote the RDSP, especially early on in a person's disability, to allow more time for contributions.

Some participants felt they learned about the program too late, missing out on years of potential contributions due to lack of awareness.

A few informants (3/37) felt that the promotional strategies tend to be more appropriate for individuals with higher levels of financial literacy, hinting at the complexity of the RDSP and its rules for some people.

A few (2/37) informants felt that promotion tends to be directed at families with children rather than adults, so those who become disabled later in life might not become aware of the program in a timely manner to maximize the benefits.

1.5 From 2014 to 2021, the RDSP take-up rates increased.

According to the Program data in Table 8, take-up rates for the RDSP among all income levels increased between 2014 and 2021.

Table 8: RDSP take-up rate (2014 to 2021)Footnote 15
Years 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
RDSP Take-up Rate (%) 22.1 24.3 29 31.2 33.7 34.7 35.1 36.7

The data used for Table 6 and Table 7 are drawn from the program's 2023 annual report. In the rest of the report some of the results come from quantitative analysis carried out at Statistics Canada via the linking of CDSP administrative data and personal income tax data. Among key limitations associated with the linking of both databases is the exclusion of beneficiaries under 19 years of age with no tax return. Therefore, results from this analysis should be interpreted accordingly and discrepancies may arise relative to the results presented in the program's annual report based on the entire population.

1.6 From 2010 to 2017 the take-up rates for low- and modest-income DTC-approved individuals increased steadily but started to slow around 2018.

The RDSP take-up rates in the low and modest family income groups increased steadily between 2010 and 2017 but were mostly stable between 2018 and 2021. The take-up rates for the low and modest family income groups increased from 20% and 10% in 2010 to 44% and 32% in 2017, respectively.

From 2014 to 2021, the take-up rates for DTC-approved individuals in the lowest and highest income groups were similar and exceeded those for the two intermediate income groupsFootnote 16. In 2021, for example, the take-rates for the "low family income" and "high family income level II" groups were 44.4% and 50.5% respectively, while those for the "modest family income" and "high family income level I" groups were 33.4% and 38.6%, respectivelyFootnote 17.

Appendix E provides additional information on the different income levels over time.

Figure 2: RDSP take-up rate among eligible DTC holders under 50, by income level (%), 2010 to 2021
Line chart showing the RDSP take-up rates among DTC holders under 50 years of age, by income level, from 2010 to 2021. See long text description below.
Figure 2: Text description
Year Proportion of individuals from low-income families (%) Proportion of individuals from modest-income families (%) Proportion of individuals from high-income families (Level 1) (%) Proportion of individuals from high-income families (Level 2) (%) Proportion of individuals overall (%)
2010 20% 10% 11% 15% 15%
2011 23% 11% 13% 18% 17%
2012 27% 13% 15% 21% 21%
2013 29% 15% 18% 24% 23%
2014 32% 19% 22% 32% 27%
2015 37% 24% 28% 33% 33%
2016 43% 30% 33% 39% 39%
2017 44% 32% 35% 42% 41%
2018 45% 33% 37% 45% 42%
2019 45% 33% 37% 47% 43%
2020 45% 33% 38% 48% 43%
2021 44% 33% 39% 50% 44%
  • Source: Employment and Social Development Canada (2025). Technical Report: Evaluation of the CDSP using linked administrative data

1.7 Certain aspects of the RDSP were identified as not well suited to the specific needs and circumstances of persons with disabilities

One aspect of the RDSP identified by focus group participants and key informants as being well-suited to the needs of persons with disabilities was the fact that the RDSP does not impact most provincial disability and income assistance benefits provided to the beneficiary, unlike other investments.

Focus group and interview participants, including RDSP account holders, beneficiaries and other stakeholders and partners, did not feel that the RDSP was well adapted to the unique circumstances or needs of persons with disabilities. They highlighted the following areas that could be improved to better meet the needs of persons with disabilities:

Penalties associated with early withdrawals

Age limit of 49 years for the grants and bonds

Perception of an age requirement of 60 before withdrawals begin

Table 9: Examples of barriers
Description Example Citation
Complexity of RDSP and withdrawal rules The complexity of withdrawal rules can deter people from opening an RDSP. The fear of losing money or having to repay grants and bonds can be overwhelming and deter individuals from contributing to an RDSP "Yeah, it's a complex plan type to say the least. It's the withdrawal rules are pretty complicated in terms of what you can receive and when you can receive it."
Assistance Holdback Amount The AHA requires government contributions to remain in the RDSP for at least 10 years, which can be challenging for certain beneficiaries. "The other thing I, but in terms of the RDSP, is if you have an individual, right, with a cognitive impairment or somebody who qualifies but there's a risk, you know, they have very poor judgment and they will not-and it's a savings venue. They might go spend that money, right? There's nothing to stop them from spending the money within that 10 years and having to pay it back, creating a debt."
Uncertainty of Life Expectancy and Lifetime Disability Assistance Payment formula For individuals with uncertain life expectancies, planning for the long term can be challenging, leading to early withdrawals. "They may not live until 83, right? They may be passing away in their 50s or their 60s. So, parents are saying, well, why am I going to put money away in this vehicle? Why am I going to manage this plan and divert my attention to investing monies in this plan if they've got to wait 10 years after the date of the last government contribution?"

John's experience with the RDSP

John, a single man aged 20 to 24, has a permanent disability affecting his mobility and is employed part-time. He opened his RDSP in 2013 to benefit from the Bond and Grant without impacting other benefits. He faced significant challenges applying for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) and had to reapply several times. He found the process complex due to the rules and challenges recognizing his disability. Opening his RDSP was neither easy nor difficult, but he struggled to understand the RDSP, CDSG, and CDSB rules. He also faced challenges obtaining specific information from his financial institution regarding RDSPs and felt that financial institutions were not very helpful in maximizing RDSP benefits. As of 2024, his RDSP balance is $28,000, including $20,000 in personal contributions and $8,000 from the CDSP. John expressed frustration with early withdrawal penalties and difficulty accessing funds before age 60.

Note: The case studies presented in this report are intended to illustrate individual experiences of respondents and contain inaccuracies about the program's rules and procedures. These examples provide insight into respondent's perspectives and not official policy.

2. Barriers and facilitators to opening and maintaining an RDSP

2.1 It is becoming easier to find knowledgeable financial institutions who offer the RDSP, but there are ongoing challenges for some.

Across the different lines of evidence for the evaluation, participants identified ongoing challenges with finding financial institutions who are sufficiently knowledgeable about the RDSP. This created delays in opening RDSPs for some potential account holders.

However, finding a knowledgeable institution is becoming easier than in the past. Those with more recent experiences with the RDSP tended to report fewer barriers related to finding knowledgeable staff in financial institutions than those with experience in the earlier years of the Program.

When discussing barriers to opening or maintaining RDSPs, the majority of informants (20/37) identified barriers associated with financial institutions.

Some interview informants (14/37) and focus group participants suggested that staff from financial institutions lack sufficient knowledge of the RDSP, although many of these informants did not differentiate between frontline staff or staff who work in centralized RDSP teams within banks.

In almost all focus groups, participants felt that it was difficult to find individuals within their financial institutions who were knowledgeable about the RDSP. This left a lot of unanswered questions and confusion about the program.

In a few groups, participants mentioned having to work with a specialist in their institution. This specialist was often located in another city or province which made opening the RDSP difficult, because of issues with scheduling and communication.

Focus group participants who opened an RDSP early in the Program lifecycle encountered significant barriers such as finding a financial institution that offered the program, finding people within these institutions who were knowledgeable about the program, or finding information about the program more generally. However, those who opened an RDSP more recently reported experiencing fewer of these barriers.

In almost all focus groups, participants believed that people within their institutions have become more knowledgeable about the program. At the same time, participants in some groups say that they still do their own research and often know more about the program than those they interact with at their financial institutions. Participants in some groups felt that there could be more training for financial institutions in how to properly administer it.

When working with their financial institution or advisor to open an RDSP, survey respondents reported the greatest ease with obtaining an appointment with someone who is knowledgeable about RDSPs and understanding the right amounts to contribute to the RDSP, with 22% of respondents saying each of these was "very easy." This was followed by understanding the eligibility requirements for the Canada Disability Savings Bond, which 20% found "very easy" and 28% found "somewhat easy."

Respondents had the least ease in understanding when it will become possible to withdraw funds without penalty from some or all of the CBSGs and/or CDSBs received, and how much money could then be withdrawn annually or monthly. Only 10% of respondents said this was "very easy" and only 17% said this was "somewhat easy."

Therefore, survey respondents appeared to find financial institutions more knowledgeable about topics related to opening and contributing to the account, and less knowledgeable about specific rules and restrictions after the account is opened.

Figure 3: Ease of setting up an RDSP for the first time
Horizontal bar chart showing survey respondents’ positive and negative survey ratings of the degree of ease they experienced with various aspects of opening an RDSP for the first time. See long text description below.
Figure 3: Text description
Response option Very easy or somewhat easy Very difficult or somewhat difficult
Understanding when it will become possible to withdraw funds without penalty and how much money will then be possible to withdraw each year or month 44% 27%
Getting all the information needed about RDSPs or the related savings incentives (the grant and bond) 39% 34%
Understanding the calculation of penalties for withdrawing the money early (also known as the Assistance Holdback Amount) 37% 33%
Understanding how the Canada Disability Savings Grant is calculated 33% 38%
Obtaining an appointment with someone who is knowledgeable about RDSPs and can take care of the opening process 33% 47%
Understanding the consequences of losing DTC approval 29% 27%
Understanding the right amounts to contribute to the RDSP 28% 51%
Understanding eligibility requirements for the Canada Disability Savings Bond 23% 48%
  • Source: PRA (2024). Survey for the Evaluation of the CDSP, Conducted for ESDC’s Evaluation Directorate. Unpublished technical report
  • Note: The information in this figure is from responses to survey questions 29 to 36: “The following questions are about when you met with your financial institution or with an independent financial advisor to set up an RDSP for the first time. Please rate how easy or difficult the following steps may have been in setting up the RDSP.”

2.2 The complexity of the application process and the level of effort required to complete it were the most common barriers for potential beneficiaries and plan holders

Barriers related to the complexity of the application process and the effort it requires were frequently identified by multiple sources. These barriers can be particularly challenging for those who have disabilities affecting mental functions or who are struggling with day-to-day expenses.

Multiple studies outside of this evaluation have found that the RDSP process is complicated and has discouraged people from opening an RDSP. For example, applicants have reported the DTCFootnote 19 and RDSP processes are both lengthy and complex (Abrams, 2017Footnote 20; Moss, 2012Footnote 21). In addition, recent data from the 2020 Survey on Savings for Persons with Disabilities reported that 15% of respondents described the process as being too complicated and opted to not open an RDSP, citing difficulties in completing tax forms and/or visiting financial institutions to open the plan (Statistics Canada 2022cFootnote 22).

Most interview informants (23/37) agreed that the complexity of the application process and the effort required to apply were barriers to opening or maintaining an RDSP. Some (16/37) discussed specific challenges related to families or individuals who are so focused on managing day-to-day requirements that they do not have the time or energy to consider the RDSP or follow through with the application process.

The 2024 Fifth Report of the Disability Advisory CommitteeFootnote 23 reported the following:

Sarah's Experience Opening an RDSP

Sarah, a single woman aged 25 to 34, has a temporary disability that affects her mobility and independence. She is currently unemployed but actively looking for work. She opened her RDSP in 2019 to take advantage of both the Bond and the Grant and to accumulate assets without impacting eligibility for other benefits. She applied for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) but faced significant challenges and found it very difficult. She had to reapply multiple times due to challenges having her disability recognized. Then, in opening her RDSP she found the process itself relatively easy but finds it difficult to understand the different parameters and rules of the RDSP and the CDSG and CDSB. As of 2024, Sarah has an RDSP balance of $6,000, funded entirely by the CDSB, as she has not made any personal contributions meaning she has not received the CDSG.

Note: The case studies presented in this report are intended to illustrate individual experiences of respondents and contain inaccuracies about the program's rules and procedures. These examples provide insight into respondent's perspectives and are not official policy.

2.3 Some beneficiaries and account holders found the process to obtain the DTC difficult and time-consuming to navigate.

The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) application process is easier for some than for othersFootnote 24. Since DTC approval is required to open an RDSP, challenges in understanding and applying for the tax credit can be a barrier to opening an RDSP.

Survey respondents were split on the difficulty of the DTC process. Some (37%) found the application forms and related documents somewhat or very easy to understand and a similar proportion (34%) found them somewhat or very difficult to understand.

Overall, focus group participants did not have many concerns or issues with understanding or applying for the DTC. In addition, family members who hold accounts on behalf of beneficiaries expressed fewer concerns than beneficiaries themselves indicating that the DTC process tends to be more difficult for beneficiaries trying to navigate it themselves.

Table 10: Difficulties getting approval for DTC
Responses Number Percentage
Bureaucratic/too many forms 23 31%
Told disability was not severe enough to qualify/had to apply multiple times 23 31%
Delays in getting approval 15 20%
Had to get additional information from physician/missing information 12 16%
DTC is not permanent/need to reapply 9 12%
Costs associated with applying 7 9%
Difficulties communicating with CRA 5 7%
Need assistance from others to complete DTC application 5 7%
Had to get information from multiple healthcare workers 4 5%
Doctors unsure how to complete forms 2 3%
Other 2 3%
No response 1 1%

2.4 There was a general lack of clarity related to the Assistance Holdback Amount

There is a lack of clarity related to the Assistance Holdback Amount (AHA).

Overall, it was apparent in all focus groups that participants did not understand the AHA well and perceive the repayment obligation as a penalty.

Some key informants (19/37) also felt that the program parameters for the Assistance Holdback Amount are not easy to understand for applicants and beneficiaries.

There were many different points of view in the focus groups concerning the timelines for when a participant could start withdrawing funds, with a particular lack of clarity around the 10-year rule for grant or bond withdrawals, and the age at which it becomes possible to withdraw without penalty. This demonstrated a lack of common understanding of the AHA, timelines and their purpose.

In all focus groups, participants spoke about the penalties associated with withdrawing early, although there was very little specific reference to exactly what the penalties would be. This demonstrated a concern amongst beneficiaries and their families/caregivers about the consequences of withdrawing funds early.

Survey results similarly suggested that understanding the parameters of the AHA was one of the primary areas of concern among respondents, all of whom were RDSP holders. Areas related to penalties or withdrawing funds were among the top areas of difficulty respondents had when first opening their RDSP.

Emily's Experience Opening an RDSP

Emily, a divorced woman aged 35 to 44 with a permanent mobility disability, is employed part-time. Her legal parent opened her RDSP in 2022 to leverage the Canada Disability Savings Grant (CDSG) alongside her contributions for medium-term financial needs. Emily found the DTC application process straightforward and reported no major difficulties. Managing her RDSP was relatively easy, though she faced challenges understanding the RDSP, CDSG, and CDSB rules. By 2024, her RDSP balance reached $4,500, including $1,500 in personal contributions, benefiting from the CDSG. Despite the generous grant, Emily struggled with withdrawal penalties and eligibility requirements, and her financial institution was not very helpful. Overall, she found managing her RDSP easier than John, likely due to third-party involvement in opening the account and straightforward DTC approval. Emily emphasized that the RDSP helps maintain her future quality of life, despite some rule comprehension challenges.

Note: The case studies presented in this report are intended to illustrate individual experiences of respondents and contain inaccuracies about the program's rules and procedures. These examples provide insight into respondent's perspectives and not official policy.

3. The role of the CDSG and the CDSB in motivating savings

3.1 The CDSG appears to be a stronger motivator than the CDSB for eligible beneficiaries and plan holders to open an RDSP

Survey respondents and focus group participants identified the CDSG and CDSB as strong motivators to open an RDSP:

The findings from the administrative data analysis also suggest that the Canada Disability Savings Bond (CDSB) has a positive impact on opening an RDSP account for those who have incomes close to the maximum allowable net income to receive the CDSBFootnote 25. In 2018, for example, individuals with net family income close to but lower than $46,605 and who were eligible to receive a portion of the bonds were more likely to have opened an RDSP account by 6.7 percentage points compared to similar non-eligible individuals with net family income just above $46,605 (consult Appendix H for more information). However, around the net-family income threshold of $93,208 (where the matching rate of the Canada Disability Savings Grant is reduced), there was no statistically significant difference in the probability of opening an account between those who were eligible for the higher matching rate and those eligible for the lower contribution rate.

The CDSG and CDSB were not the only significant motivators for focus group participants to open and contribute to an RDSP:

Why Marc chose to open an RDSP

Marc is a 41-year-old male living with a permanent disability who opened his own Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) sometime between 2016 and 2019. Holding an undergraduate university degree, he is currently looking for a job and has an annual household income of less than $35,000. The total amount accumulated in his RDSP is approximately $30,000. Part of this amount includes his own personal contributions, as well as a mix of grants and bonds received from CDSP. In addition to the RDSP, Marc has other savings accounts totaling $1,256 but he chose to open an RDSP to maximize the benefits of both the Canada Disability Savings Bond (CDSB) and the Canada Disability Savings Grant (CDSG), increase his savings, and ensure his long-term financial security while preserving eligibility for other social programs.

Note: The case studies presented in this report are intended to illustrate individual experiences of respondents and contain inaccuracies about the program's rules and procedures. These examples, taken from survey responses, provide insight into respondents' perspectives and not official policy.

3.2 The proportion of RDSP beneficiaries who contributed decreased over time, but the amount they contributed has remained relatively stable over time and across income categories

The proportion of RDSPs in which a private contribution was made decreased by 22% over the evaluation period, from 62% in 2010 to 40% in 2021.

The average amount of contribution made remained relatively stable amongst all income levels over the evaluation period. Contribution amounts were higher for those with Low Income and High Income Level II.

Figure 4: Proportion of RDSPs in which private contributions have been made, 2010 to 2021Footnote 26
Vertical bar chart showing the proportion of beneficiaries who contributed to their accounts from 2010 to 2021. See long text description below.
Figure 4: Text description
Year Proportion of RDSP beneficiaries who contributed to their accounts
2010 62%
2011 58%
2012 55%
2013 52%
2014 51%
2015 48%
2016 48%
2017 45%
2018 44%
2019 42%
2020 40%
2021 40%
  • Source: Employment and Social Development Canada (2025). Technical Report: Evaluation of the CDSP using linked administrative data
  • Note: The calculations only considered RDSP beneficiaries and DTC-approved individuals who filed taxes individually and did not include a large proportion of individuals under 19 years. Therefore, results from this analysis should be interpreted accordingly and discrepancies may arise relative to the results presented in the program’s annual report based on the entire population.

Overall, more savings were made in RDSPs of High Income Level II and Low Income beneficiaries than those in other two income categories throughout the evaluation period.

Figure 5: Average contribution amounts by income level, 2010 to 2021
Figure 2: Adults aged 25 to 64 years with a postsecondary qualification, by Indigenous identity and level of remoteness, 2021 - Text description follows
Figure 5: Text description
Year Individuals from low-income families Individuals from modest-income families Individuals from high-income families (Level 1) Individuals from high-income families (Level 2) Overall
2010 $2,600 $2,100 $2,400 $2,900 $2,400
2011 $3,100 $2,700 $2,500 $3,000 $2,700
2012 $3,100 $3,000 $2,700 $3,200 $2,800
2013 $3,300 $2,800 $2,600 $2,900 $2,800
2014 $3,400 $3,000 $2,600 $2,800 $2,900
2015 $3,100 $2,500 $2,600 $2,800 $2,700
2016 $2,800 $2,400 $2,500 $2,800 $2,600
2017 $2,800 $2,500 $2,500 $2,900 $2,600
2018 $2,800 $2,400 $2,400 $2,900 $2,600
2019 $2,600 $2,500 $2,400 $2,800 $2,500
2020 $2,700 $2,400 $2,500 $2,900 $2,600
2021 $2,900 $2,500 $2,600 $3,100 $2,800
  • Source: Employment and Social Development Canada (2025). Technical Report: Evaluation of the CDSP using linked administrative data
  • Note: The calculation only considered RDSP beneficiaries and DTC-approved individuals who filed taxes individually and did not include a large proportion of individuals under 19 years. Therefore, results from this analysis should be interpreted accordingly and discrepancies may arise relative to the results presented in the program’s annual report based on the entire population.

3.3 The proportion of DTC-approved individuals from low- or modest- income families receiving grants and/or bonds remained relatively stable over the evaluation period with most RDSP beneficiaries receiving bonds.

The proportion of DTC approved individuals from low family income receiving grants or bonds between 2010 and 2016 remained stable.

Figure 6: Proportion of DTC-approved individuals aged between 0 and 49 years old from low-income families, who received either bonds only, grants only or both Footnote 27
Figure 2: Adults aged 25 to 64 years with a postsecondary qualification, by Indigenous identity and level of remoteness, 2021 - Text description follows
Figure 6: Text description
Receipt of bonds and/or grants 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Received bonds only 8% 10% 12% 13% 14% 16% 19% 19% 19% 20% 20% 18%
Received bonds and grants 10% 11% 13% 13% 15% 15% 19% 18% 19% 18% 16% 18%
Received grants only 1% 1% 1% 2% 2% 2% 3% 3% 3% 3% 4% 4%
  • Source: Employment and Social Development Canada (2025). Technical Report: Evaluation of the CDSP using linked administrative data (draft)
  • Note: Calculation only considered RDSP beneficiaries and DTC-approved individuals who filed taxes individually and did not include a large proportion of individuals under 19 years. Therefore, results from this analysis should be interpreted accordingly and discrepancies may arise relative to the results presented in the program’s annual report based on the entire population.

The proportion of DTC approved individuals from modest family income receiving grants or bonds increased between 2010 and 2016, then remained stable from 2017.

Figure 7: Proportion of DTC- approved individuals aged between 0 and 49 years old from modest-income families, who received either bonds only, grants only or both, 2010 to 2021 Footnote 28
Figure 2: Adults aged 25 to 64 years with a postsecondary qualification, by Indigenous identity and level of remoteness, 2021 - Text description follows
Figure 7: Text description
Year Received bonds only Received bonds and grants Received grants only
2010 2% 6% 1%
2011 3% 7% 2%
2012 3% 8% 2%
2013 4% 8% 3%
2014 5% 10% 3%
2015 6% 10% 4%
2016 8% 14% 4%
2017 9% 14% 6%
2018 9% 13% 6%
2019 9% 12% 7%
2020 8% 11% 8%
2021 8% 11% 8%
  • Source: Employment and Social Development Canada (2025). Technical Report: Evaluation of the CDSP using linked administrative data (draft)
  • Note: calculation only considered RDSP beneficiaries and DTC-approved individuals who filed taxes individually and did not include a large proportion of individuals under 19 years. Therefore, results from this analysis should be interpreted accordingly and discrepancies may arise relative to the results presented in the program’s annual report based on the entire population.

3.4 Some plan holders or beneficiaries are saving money outside of an RDSP and it is often related to a perception that other accounts were better suited to the realities of persons with disabilities

The extent to which plan holders choose to save outside of an RDSP is unclear.

Some interviewees (5/37) felt that there were no better savings vehicles for persons with disabilities. The majority of these informants (3/5) pointed out that the benefit associated with the RDSP is more generous than the benefits offered through other savings options.

However, others felt that different account types were better suited to the needs of persons with disabilities:

Survey respondents who have savings in other types of accounts shared the perception that these options may be better suited to the realities of persons with disabilities. The most common reason for an alternative savings plan or account was for funds to be accessible more easily and without penalty in case of emergency (46%).

Table 11: Reasons for contributing to other savings
Response Number Percentage
For funds to be accessible more easily and without penalty in case of emergency 201 46%
To accumulate additional retirement savings 148 34%
To accumulate money for major purchases 114 26%
To diversify investments 98 23%
Already contributed the maximum allowable to the RDSP(s) 94 22%
For tax purposes 85 20%
It was recommended by a financial professional 85 20%
To obtain a higher interest rate/return on investments 77 18%
For day-to-day banking/finances 19 4%
Had before the RDSP 12 3%
To avoid penalties from RDSP withdrawals 3 1%

Survey responses provide a sense of the most common alternative investment vehicles used by plan holders and beneficiariesFootnote 29.

The most common types of other plans/accounts that survey respondents actively contribute to outside of their RDSP were:

Table 12: Other savings plans or accounts
Type of savings plan or account Have and currently contribute to (Number) Have and currently contribute to (Percentage) Have and currently withdraw from (Number) Have and currently withdraw from (Percentage) Have but do not currently contribute to or withdraw from (Number) Have but not currently contribute to or withdraw from (Percentage) Do not have (Number) Do not have (Percentage)
Regular savings account at a financial institution 2,801 37% 1,434 19% 1,222 16% 1,758 23%
Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) 2,439 32% 349 5% 1,240 17% 3,249 43%
Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) 1,702 23% 216 3% 1,271 17% 4,096 55%
Employer-sponsored pension plan 1,351 18% 323 4% 435 6% 5,120 68%
Mutual funds 936 12% 122 2% 551 7% 5,508 73%
Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GIC)s 746 10% 89 1% 588 8% 5,725 76%
Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) 526 7% 205 3% 331 4% 6,267 83%
Tax-Free First Home Savings Account (FHSA) 186 3% 20 <1% 83 1% 7,018 93%
Other type of trust fund 53 1% 51 1% 96 1% 6,983 93%
Henson Trust 44 1% 29 <1% 327 4% 6,751 90%
Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) 40 1% 151 2% 95 1% 6,954 92%
Other 375 5% 118 2% 151 2% 6,878 91%

4. Early impacts of the RDSP on quality of life or well-being

4.1 Beneficiaries, plan holders and other stakeholders believe that the program has the potential to help improve the quality of life and/or well-being of beneficiaries and/or plan holders in the future

There was a shared sense amongst interviewees and focus group participants that it is still too early to assess impacts to the quality of life of beneficiaries and/or plan holders as there are few beneficiaries who have begun receiving Lifetime Disability Savings Payments.

Most key informants (32/37) felt positive about the RDSP's potential impact on beneficiaries' future financial security and ability to maintain their current quality of lifeFootnote 30 in the future but said that this depends on various factors that might limit their ability to either access or to take full advantage of the program.

For example, the majority of these informants (21/32) expressed the view that future benefits depend on the RDSP holders' income or ability to save.

In addition, a few informants (8/37) suggested that the benefits depend on the age at which one becomes a beneficiary.

A few informants (4/37) mentioned that the withdrawal rules or Assistance Holdback Amount undermine the RDSP's contribution to long-term financial security for some beneficiaries, such as those with shortened life expectanciesFootnote 31.

In a few focus groups, participants shared concerns about the restrictions that can prevent beneficiaries from accessing money before they turn 60 years old. These participants were skeptical that the beneficiary would live much beyond 60 years of age and do not expect the beneficiaries will be able to experience the full benefits of their RDSP.

A majority (76%) of survey respondents felt at least "somewhat good" about the RDSP's ability to help meet the longer-term financial needs of beneficiaries.

Just over one-third of respondents rated the Program as excellent (12%) or very good (24%) at helping ensure that the future financial needs of the beneficiary will be met. Another 40% of respondents believe that the program is somewhat good at helping to meet the needs of the beneficiary.

When asked about the benefits of the RDSP that could affect their quality of life, survey respondents selected the following two impacts most frequently:

Figure 8: Benefits from an RDSP
Figure 2: Adults aged 25 to 64 years with a postsecondary qualification, by Indigenous identity and level of remoteness, 2021 - Text description follows
Figure 8: Text description
Responses Strongly agree (%) Somewhat agree (%) Somewhat disagree (%) Strongly disagree (%)
The RDSP makes it easier to save for the beneficiary's future needs 37% 41% 8% 9%
The RDSP helps ensure that the beneficiary's quality of life will be maintained in the future 21% 40% 15% 16%
I am confident that the beneficiary will have enough savings to meet all basic needs in the future 9% 24% 21% 36%
I am confident that the beneficiary will have enough savings to do everything he or she wants in the future 6% 18% 21% 46%
I am confident that the beneficiary will have enough savings to deal with future unexpected expenses 6% 21% 22% 39%
  • Source: PRA (2024). Survey for the Evaluation of the CDSP, Conducted for ESDC’s Evaluation Directorate. Unpublished technical report.
  • Note: The information is based on responses to survey questions Q48 – Q52.

4.2 The program helps improve the confidence of plan holders and beneficiaries in their ability to meet future financial needs

Some informants felt that the CDSP provides families and caregivers with a sense of confidence in the future financial security of beneficiaries:

Beneficiaries, plan holders and stakeholders often indicated that the RDSP would help beneficiaries to meet their future financial needs but that it is not sufficient on its own:

Survey respondents also felt that the CDSP was not sufficient on its own to provide them with confidence in their future financial security:

4.3 Among the small number of beneficiaries who had started withdrawing funds, there was a fair proportion who had to payback some or all of their grants or bonds to withdraw funds early

Results of the survey show that only a small proportion of beneficiaries (4%) have withdrawn funds to date, and most (66%) did so at the age of 60.

However, of those who have withdrawn funds from their RDSP, a fair proportion (34%) of beneficiaries faced a payback requirement to withdraw funds early to meet financial needs, which were often related to day-to-day and health or disability-related expenses.

Among focus group participants who had withdrawn money from their RDSP, most had withdrawn money because they were required to after reaching 60 years of age. Those who withdrew money before the 10 years elapsed since they last received grants or bonds tended to do so because they needed the money to pay for day-to-day expenses (often expenses related to their disability).

Similarly, most key informants (27/37) mentioned that those who withdraw money from their RDSP despite penalties, do so out of an urgent financial need or a sudden change in financial circumstances. Half of these informants mentioned that the urgent financial need arises out of disability or health related costs (13/37). A few informants (6/37) mentioned RDSP holders might withdraw money from their RDSP early due to having a shortened life expectancy.

The results of the quantitative analysis also suggest that certain groups of beneficiaries were more likely to make a withdrawal such as those who are 60 years and over, divorced, widowed and those who are from low-income families.

Conclusion

The CDSP has been effective in promoting awareness of the RDSP amongst potential beneficiaries and their families/caregivers. The CDSG and CDSB encourage potential beneficiaries to open RDSPs and contribute savings. Overall, it is expected that the RDSP will help beneficiaries maintain their quality of life by contributing to a sense of financial security. However, there are some potential beneficiaries who face multiple barriers to open and maintain an RDSP, particularly given the complexity of the processes and rules which can be sources of confusion. These beneficiaries could benefit from more one on one support. Additionally, a number of beneficiaries and their families/guardians, as well as Program stakeholders, have raised concerns about certain parameters of the RDSP such as the AHA, withdrawal rules, timelines related to the CDSG and the CDSB, and the requirement to be approved for the DTC, with certain individuals indicating that some of these rules discourage potential beneficiaries from opening an RDSP, and in some cases reduce the potential benefit of the Program for certain beneficiaries.

ESDC worked with partners to improve its communication and outreach strategies to raise awareness of the RDSP amongst persons with disabilities. While these efforts have helped to encourage some potential plan holders to open an RDSP, there are still cases where more one-on-one support with applying could simplify the process for those who are struggling and those who have been discouraged from applying. Additionally, there appeared to be limitations to the reach of communication and outreach efforts to certain sub-segments of the target population, such as single individuals and those whose disability begins later in life.

Ongoing barriers to opening an RDSP included challenges finding knowledgeable financial institutions to help with the application process, and the complexity and effort of the process itself. These can be significant barriers for those who have disabilities affecting mental functions or those who are struggling with daily life, making it more difficult for them to follow through with the application process.

The take-up rate of RDSPs increased steadily over the evaluation period, especially for low- and modest-income individuals. Since 2017 the take up rate for these two groups of individuals have stabilized and stood at 44% and 33% in. The CDSG and CDSB appears to play a role in encouraging plan holders to open an account and to contribute savings.

However, there was strong perception amongst stakeholders, plan holders and beneficiaries that the Program was not adapted specifically to the unique circumstances or needs of persons with disabilities and that account types with greater flexibility to withdraw money without penalties might be more appropriate for some. Key challenges were related to penalties for early withdrawals, and certain age limits/restrictions.

There was a shared sense amongst interviewees and focus group participants that while it is still early to assess impacts to the quality of life of beneficiaries and/or plan holders, the Program has the potential to help improve their quality of life in the future.

Recommendation and observation

Recommendation 1: It is recommended that the Program continue to work with, and support partners and stakeholders, particularly community-based organizations, to improve their capacity to promote the RDSP and the grant and bond, broaden outreach and communication efforts, and provide more one-on-one support as required by certain individuals to open and maintain an RDSP.

Observation 1: In light of the interdependency between the Canada Disability Savings Program (CDSP) and the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) and their respective policy objectives, the Program could work with partners to continue to explore ways to better respond to the unique needs of persons with disabilities. Focus could be placed on identifying barriers some individuals may be facing in opening an RDSP or from realizing the full potential of the CDSP and RDSP for long-term saving.

Appendices

Appendix A: Logic model

Figure 9: Canada Disability Savings Program logic model
Logic model illustrating the flow from program inputs to intended outcomes. See long text description below.
Figure 9: Text description

The inputs for the program, located at the base of the logic model, are Government of Canada funding for grant and bond payments, program full-time equivalents and operating budget.

These inputs are used for the following program activities:

  • outreach activities focused on the RDSP, grant and bon
  • program policy and operational guidance
  • processing3 of grant and bond requests
  • engagement with issuers2 and stakeholders

In turn, these activities are expected to lead to the following outputs:

  • outreach materials aimed at Canadians
  • grant and bond payments
  • issuer agreements, compliance reports, and training curriculum and guidelines/advice for issuers

The outputs, in turn, are expected to lead to the following direct outcomes:

  • people with disabilities1 are aware of the grant and bond as incentives to save in an RDSP.
  • eligible beneficiaries apply for an receive the grant and/or bond
  • eligible beneficiaries take withdrawals (DAPs, LDAPs).

In the model, there is a line of accountability above the program's direct outcomes, indicating that the program can measure direct outcomes below that line.

Immediately above the line of accountability and the direct outcomes, the model depicts the expected shared outcome of the program, which include the following:

  • Canadians are aware and can access the RDSP, grant and bon
  • increased long-term savings of people with disabilities

These shared outcomes are expected to lead to the program's ultimate outcome or impact, which is expected to be improved long-term financial security for people with severe and prolonged disabilities.

This ultimate outcome aligns with the following ESDC's Strategic Program Outcome, as part of the ESDC MRRS: Income security, access to opportunities, and well-being for individuals, families and communities.

  • Notes:
    1. People with disabilities and/or their families/caregivers.
    2. Issuers are the Canadian financial institutions that offer the Registered Disability Savings Plan.
    3. Transactions processing is done through the CANADA DISABILITY SAVINGS PROGRAM Administrative System which includes these key activities: systems development, enhancement, maintenance and integrity.

Appendix B: Previous evaluation findings

Evaluations in 2019 and 2014

There have been two evaluations of the CDSP since its inception in 2008:

The Cycle II evaluation concluded that the CDSP responded to long-standing and ongoing needs identified by persons with disabilities, their families, and supporting organizations to reduce barriers to saving for an individual's future. In so doing, it encouraged long-term savings to facilitate the financial security of people with severe and prolonged disabilities through the provision of government grants and bonds, as applicable for eligible individuals who opened a RDSP.

Appendix C: Evaluation questions

Evaluation questionsFootnote 32

  1. How have communication and outreach strategies of ESDC and other partners helped in raising awareness among persons with disabilities, their families and others (friends, former colleagues, organizations, etc.) concerning accessing the RDSP (the CDSG and/or CDSB)?
    • 1.1 What outreach efforts enable and encourage eligible beneficiaries and prospective plan holders to apply for an RDSP and receive the CDSG and/or CDSB?
    • 1.2 How successful is the program in encouraging persons with disabilities with low to modest incomes to open an RDSP?
    • 1.3 To what extent do eligible persons with disabilities who are aware of the program consider that the CDSP is adapted to their specific needs and circumstances, and why?
  2. What are the efforts made by ESDC to engage with key program stakeholders as well as provincial/territorial counterparts, with regards to the promotion of the program?
    • 2.1 Do issuers and other organisations involved in the delivery or promotion of the program, as well as disability organizations who represent populations of potential beneficiaries, find ESDC's outreach activities and tools useful in promoting the RDSP to potential clients?
  3. What are the barriers or facilitators for those persons with disabilities who have been approved for the DTC and those who may provide them with support (i.e., family, friends, organizations, etc.) to open and maintain an RDSP?
    • 3.1 Are the current program parameters for the DTC and Assistance Holdback Amount (AHA) easy to understand for applicants and RDSP beneficiaries?
    • 3.2 Are those parameters easy to understand and administer from the perspective of financial institutions?
  4. To what extent do the CDSG and CDSB motivate eligible beneficiaries or plan holders to save money into an RDSP?
    • 4.1 Has there been an increase in the proportion of eligible low- and modest-income families opening a RDSP and being issued either grants or bonds over the years?
    • 4.2. To what extent do DTC approved individuals save money outside of a RDSP, and why?
  5. What are the early impacts of the program on the quality of life or well-being of program beneficiaries and/or plan holders?
    • 5.1 How do beneficiaries or plan holders feel about their financial security and confidence towards the future?
    • 5.2 What are the characteristics and motivations of those who have started withdrawing funds from their RDSP, including those who were subject to applicable penalties?

Appendix D: Methodology

Key informant interviews

Objective: Key informant interviews were conducted to gather more in-depth knowledge of the program and its various components, and to gain insights from people directly involved in the program's management and delivery, including representatives of organizations who interact directly with end users.

Sampling: 37 key informant interviews were conducted with stakeholders who play diverse roles vis-à-vis the program, including program officials, delivery partners, and other primary stakeholders (e.g., federal government administrative partners, provincial/territorial governments and provincial public guardian and trustee groups).

More specifically, the key informants included:

Key informant interviews were conducted in both English and French, depending on each participant's preference. To obtain a diversity of responses to the evaluation questions, purposive sampling was used, where possible and applicable, to select key informants representing different regions of the country and/or who can speak to the issues faced by various segments of the population of potential program clients (i.e., DTC-eligible persons with disabilities and their family members).

Focus groups

Initial recruitment - survey component

A survey of RDSP holders was previously conducted to support the evaluation of the CDSP. To recruit participants for the survey, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) sent a letter to a random sample of RDSP holders, inviting them to complete an online survey posted on ESDC's website. The recruitment was made by the CRA, on behalf of ESDC, since it was not possible for either ESDC or PRA to access CRA's database of RDSP participants. In addition, the CRA could not share contact information with ESDC, since the Income Tax Act does not authorize the sharing of taxpayer information for the purpose of program evaluation.

The CRA sent two rounds of survey invitations. The first round of invitations, which included all provinces and territories except for Quebec, was sent on December 11, 2023. The second round, for RDSP holders in Quebec, was sent on February 7, 2024. The sample development for each round of invitations occurred separately although the sampling was based on the same method.

For both rounds of invitations, the CRA indicated that they generated a random sample of RDSP holders without stratification, after excluding those with the following characteristics:

Overall, the CRA sent 169,096 letters, which resulted in 7,522 individuals completing the survey. At the end of the survey, all respondents were invited to provide their contact information if they were also interested in participating in a focus group for the evaluation. In total, 3,715 people indicated their interest in participating in the focus groups. PRA then used the responses from the survey to assign those who responded positively to one of the 10 groups listed above.

Participant recruitment

The recruiting process then included the following steps:

Literature review

The following rapid review principles were employed to conduct the literature review:

A total of 38 articles were accepted into the review:

Articles were accepted if they met the following inclusion criteria:

Key challenges and limitations

Survey

A contractor (PRA) was hired to conduct the survey. PRA worked in collaboration with ESDC to develop the final survey questions.

Sample development to leverage the CRA's database of RDSP participants. The CRA prepared the sample for the survey since the CRA could not share RDSP participant contact information with either ESDC or PRA. The Income Tax Act does not authorize the sharing of taxpayer information for the purpose of program evaluation. The CRA sent two rounds of survey invitations. The first round of survey invitations, which included all provinces and territories except for Quebec, was sent on December 11, 2023. The second round, for RDSP holders in Quebec, was sent on February 7, 2024. The survey was closed on ESDC's website on April 5, 2024. The sample development for each round of invitations occurred separately although the sampling was based on the same method.

For both rounds of invitations, the CRA indicated that they generated a random sample of RDSP holders without stratification, after excluding those with the following characteristics:

Surveying: The invitation letters that the CRA sent to potential survey participants explained the purpose of the study and provided the address of a web page web page (URL) where respondents could find the online survey. Respondents also had the option of completing the survey with PRA by phone (with PRA entering information directly into the online survey form).

Response rate: In total, 7,522 people completed the survey, 7,350 responding online and 172 by telephone. Another 165 accessed the survey but did not provide their consent to participate in the survey. This marked a response rate of 4.4% based on those who consented and completed the survey. Based on the sample of 169,096 letters sent by the CRA, a sample of 7,522 yields a margin of error of ±1.1% (based on a 95% confidence interval).

Data cleaning: The survey files received by PRA contained 7,522 completed survey records. The file did not contain any partially completed survey records; therefore, all survey data was used for reporting. Because almost all questions were mandatory, there were no instances of missing data in the data set.

Analysis of linked administrative data

The methodology aimed to address evaluation questions 1.2, 4.1, 4.2, and 5.2 through quantitative analyses of the administrative data. It complemented the qualitative data collection and analysis planned as part of the evaluation cycle and helps provide insights into the Program's progress in achieving its expected outcomes. The methodology includes data quality assessment, descriptive statistics analysis, outcome trend, and logistic regression analysis. It is based on the available data. Richer data analysis could be completed in the future with additional variables added from integrated datasets. In addition to the approaches above, the evaluation also explores any relevant information from previous progress reports produced by the program. These reports may provide valuable insights into the program's implementation, achievements, and challenges.

Levels of family income and eligibility thresholds for bonds and grant recipients in CDSP

The evaluation questions place an important focus on low and modest-income families, in particular the savings behaviour and take-up rate among eligible individuals from low and modest-income families. To examine these groups, the study uses income levels that are based on the program thresholds used to determine bonds and grants levels (see Appendix E for detailed thresholds). This creates four categories by family income levels. The income used aligns with the program guidelines, that is, the family net income from two years prior (i.e., calculations for bonds in 2021 would use family net income from 2019 CRA tax data). Individuals over 50 years old are also removed.

Sociodemographic profiles of participants

The descriptive statistics analysis allows understanding the profile of the beneficiaries/plan holders using their socio-economic characteristics such as gender, age, marital status, income level, immigration status, location, as well as their savings behaviours, in terms of personal RDSP contributions, and from RDSPs.

Outcome trend

The outcome trend analysis can help look at the changes in outcome variables over time.

These outcome variables include CDSG and CDSB amounts, RDSP contributions and take-up rate, as well as withdrawal patterns.

Regression discontinuity design (RDD)

The evaluation also employs RDD to assess whether being eligible for some bonds and grants (at the highest matching rate) has an impact on opening an RDSP account. The RDD is well-suited to this situation because the CDSP relies on a defined set of net adjusted family income threshold to determine who is eligible to receive bonds or the level of matching grants and who is not.

The treatment variable is defined as being eligible to receive bond or grant (at the highest matching rate) and the outcome variable is defined as opening or not an RDSP account for a given year. The to estimate the impact of being eligible for some bond amounts or grants (treatment) on opening RDSP account. The main limitation of the RDD is that it provides estimates of local average treatment effects (LATE) around the eligibility cutoff/threshold at the point where treatment and comparison units are most similar.

Limitations and challenges

The analysis used linked CDSP administrative data and personal income tax data (T1 Family File (T1FF) data), integrated and accessed through Statistics Canada. It should be noted that the linked data file does not include RDSP beneficiaries who could not be linked to a T1FF record in at least one year over the reference period from 2010 to 2021. This mainly resulted in the exclusion individuals under 19 years old who did not file an income tax return during the evaluation period. Results from this analysis should be interpreted accordingly, and discrepancies may arise relative to the results presented in the program's annual report based on the entire population.

Appendix E: Program background

Benefits of the CDSP at different income levels

The CDSP is comprised of two federal saving incentives that the Government transfers into an active RDSP on an annual basis:

Table 13: CDSP income levels and corresponding CDSG and CDSB, 2023
Income level Income range CDSB Maximum CDSG
Level 1 Less than or equal to $34,863 $1,000 $3,500
Level 2 Between $34,863 and $53,359 < $1,000 $3,500
Level 3 Greater than or equal to $53,359 and less than or equal to $106,717 None $3,500
Level 4 Greater than $106,717 None $1,000
Other No income information provided None $1,000

The program uses 3 levels of income to determine whether the recipient is eligible for bonds, or the program's contribution levels, or both: Phase out income, first threshold, and second threshold. These are defined by the Canada Disability Savings Act and indexed each year according to inflation.

Figure 10: Family income levels
Graphic showing the income thresholds used to determine eligibility for the grant and the bond from the lowest to the highest income categories. See long text description below.
Figure 10: Text description

This figure shows the income thresholds used to determine eligibility for the grant and the bond from the lowest to the highest income categories. These categories include the following:

  • Low Family Income (Below phase-out income)
  • Modest Family Income (Between phase-out income and first threshold)
  • High Income I (Between first and second threshold)
  • High Income II (Above second threshold)
Table 14: Income threshold definitions
Income Threshold Definition
Phase out income The income level above which the annual amount of Canada Disability Savings bond payable begins to decrease.
First threshold The income level that, when reached or exceeded, the annual amount of Canada Disability Savings bond payable is nil.
Second threshold The income level that, when below or equal to, the matching grant will be 300% of the first $500 in contributions and 200% of the next $1,000 in contributions. When income is above this level, the matching grant will be 100% of the first $1,000 in contributions.

Below are the income thresholds used to determine eligibility and matching amounts for the Canadian Disability Savings Grant (CDSG) and the Canadian Disability Savings Bond (CDSB). These thresholds are based on net family income and are used to identify the levels of income at which the grant and bond amounts begin to phase out, ensuring that the financial assistance is targeted to those who need it most.

Table 15: Income thresholds used to determine eligibility
Year Phase out income First threshold Second threshold
2022 $32,797 $50,197 $100,392
2021 $32,028 $49,020 $98,040
2020 $31,711 $48,535 $97,069
2019 $31,120 $47,630 $95,259
2018 $30,450 $46,605 $93,208
2017 $30,000 $45,916 $91,831
2016 $26,364 $45,282 $90,563
2015 $26,021 $44,701 $89,401
2014 $25,584 $43,953 $87,907
2013 $25,356 $43,561 $87,123
2012 $24,863 $42,707 $85,414
2011 $24,183 $41,544 $83,088
2010 $23,855 $40,970 $81,941
2009 $23,710 $40,726 $81,452
2008 $21,287 $37,855 $75,769

CDSG and CDSB disbursements

Table 16: Actual spending (2017 to 2018, 2023 to 2024)
Type of spending 2017 to 2018 2018 to 2019 2019 to 2020 2020 to 2021 2021 to 2022 2022 to 2023 2023 to 2024
Canada Disability Savings Grant - Actual Spending $338,169,730 $360,497,495 $371,028,405 $406,524,376 $469,040,663 $466,813,648 $497,774,642
Canada Disability Savings Bond - Actual Spending $149,550,677 $152,650,737 $137,353,313 $139,813,480 $185,520,238 $177,800,665 $185,889,682
Total - Actual Spending $487,720,407 $513,148,232 $508,381,718 $546,337,856 $654,560,901 $644,614,313 $683,664,324

Appendix F: Demographic differences in take-up rates

Calculation only considered RDSP beneficiaries and DTC-approved individuals who filed taxes individually and did not include a large proportion of individuals under 19 years. Therefore, results from this analysis should be interpreted accordingly and discrepancies may arise relative to the results presented in the program's annual report based on the entire population

Differences by province/territory

The take-up rate among low and modest family income eligible DTC holders varies by province and territory, with the lowest rates in the Atlantic provinces, the Northwest Territories and Yukon. The highest take-up rates were seen in BC and Quebec.

Figure 11: Proportion of RDSP beneficiaries (RDSP take-up rate) among low and modest income DTC-approved individuals and proportion of DTC-approved individuals without RDSP, by provinces and territories (%), 2021
Stacked bar chart which shows the RDSP take-up rate among Low and Modest-income DTC-approved individuals and the proportion of DTC approved individuals without an RDSP, by province and territory. See long text description below.
Figure 11: Text description
Province or territory Proportion of RDSP beneficiaries (%) Proportion of DTC-approved individuals without RDSP (%)
NL 26% 74%
NS 33% 67%
PE 33% 67%
NB 27% 73%
QC 44% 56%
ON 41% 59%
MB 41% 59%
SK 39% 61%
AB 40% 60%
BC 48% 52%
NT and YT 26% 74%
  • Source: Employment and Social Development Canada (2025). Technical Report: Evaluation of the CDSP using linked administrative data

Differences by marital status and by age group

Among eligible DTC holders with low and modest incomes, the take-up rate is highest for single and divorced individuals and lowest for married and common law partners.

Figure 12: RDSP take-up rate among eligible DTC holders, by marital status (%), 2010 to 2021
Line chart showing the RDSP take-up rate among eligible DTC holders by marital status from 2010 to 2021. See long text description below.
Figure 12: Text description
Year Married (%) Common Law Partners (%) Widowed (%) Divorced (%) Separated (%) Single (%)
2010 6% 6% 11% 20% 13% 22%
2011 7% 8% 19% 23% 15% 24%
2012 10% 10% 24% 25% 17% 27%
2013 11% 12% 26% 27% 20% 29%
2014 14% 15% 31% 32% 23% 32%
2015 18% 19% 38% 40% 30% 37%
2016 22% 22% 47% 46% 35% 43%
2017 23% 24% 46% 49% 38% 46%
2018 24% 24% 47% 49% 37% 46%
2019 23% 25% 44% 48% 36% 47%
2020 21% 24% 42% 47% 34% 47%
2021 20% 23% 43% 47% 35% 47%
  • Source: Employment and Social Development Canada (2025). Technical Report: Evaluation of the CDSP using linked administrative data.

Among eligible DTC holders with low and modest incomes, the take-up rate varies by age group. Among those aged 35 to 49 and 19 to 34 years old, the rate increases over time and remains relatively stable after 2016.

Figure 13: RDSP take-up among eligible DTC holders, by age group (%), 2010 to 2021
Line chart showing the RDSP take-up rate among eligible DTC holders by age group from 2010 to 2021. It shows two age groups: 19 to 34 years and 35 to 49 years. See long text description below.
Figure 13: Text description
Year 0 to 18 years 19 to 34 years 35 to 49 years
2010 2% 16% 18%
2011 3% 19% 20%
2012 3% 22% 23%
2013 4% 25% 25%
2014 5% 28% 29%
2015 4% 33% 35%
2016 5% 38% 41%
2017 6% 41% 44%
2018 6% 42% 44%
2019 6% 42% 44%
2020 7% 42% 44%
2021 6% 42% 44%
  • Source: Employment and Social Development Canada (2025). Technical Report: Evaluation of the CDSP using linked administrative data.

Differences by gender and by area

A small gender gap remains in the take-up rate among low and modest income eligible DTC holders, with a lower proportion of female eligible individuals opening an RDSP.

Figure 14: RDSP take-up rate among eligible DTC holders, by gender (%), 2010 to 2021
Line chart showing the RDSP take-up rate among eligible DTC holders by gender from 2010 to 2021. See long text description below.
Figure 14: Text description
Year Overall Female Male
2010 17% 16% 18%
2011 19% 18% 20%
2012 22% 21% 23%
2013 24% 23% 25%
2014 28% 26% 29%
2015 33% 32% 34%
2016 39% 37% 40%
2017 41% 39% 42%
2018 42% 40% 43%
2019 42% 40% 43%
2020 41% 39% 43%
2021 41% 39% 43%
  • Source: Employment and Social Development Canada (2025). Technical Report: Evaluation of the CDSP using linked administrative data.

Among low and modest family income eligible DTC holders, the take-up rate is consistently higher for individuals living in urban areas.

Figure 15: RDSP take-up rate among eligible DTC holders, by urban and rural areas (%), 2010 to 2021
Line chart showing the RDSP take-up rate among eligible DTC holders by urban and rural areas, from 2010 to 2021. See long text description below.
Figure 15: Text description
Year Urban Rural
2010 18% 8%
2011 21% 10%
2012 24% 13%
2013 26% 14%
2014 30% 18%
2015 35% 22%
2016 41% 28%
2017 43% 30%
2018 44% 30%
2019 44% 31%
2020 43% 31%
2021 43% 31%
  • Source: Employment and Social Development Canada (2025). Technical Report: Evaluation of the CDSP using linked administrative data.

Appendix G: Withdrawals from the RDSPs

Among RDSP beneficiaries, the proportion of individuals who withdrew money from their accounts was higher than overall average for women, widowed, divorced, separated and low-income individuals.

Individuals from both high-income brackets (Level 1 and Level 2) had the lowest proportions who withdrew money from their accounts.

Figure 16: Proportion of RDSP beneficiaries who withdraw money from their account, average for 2012 to 2021 (%)
Horizontal bar chart which shows the average proportion of RDSP beneficiaries who withdraw money from their account from 2012 to 2021. The image shows results by gender, urban or rural location, marital status and income level. See long text description below.
Figure 16: Text description
Group Sub-group Average 2012 to 2021 (%)
Income level High Income II 1.0%
Income level High Income I 1.5%
Income level Modest Income 2.1%
Income level Low Income 3.3%
Marital status Single 1.7%
Marital status Separated 3.1%
Marital status Divorced 5.6%
Marital status Widowed 7.4%
Marital status Common Law Partners 1.6%
Marital status Married 2.0%
Area Rural 1.7%
Area Urban 2.1%
Gender Male 2.0%
Gender Female 2.2%
Gender Overall 2.1%
  • Notes:
    1. Proportion of RDSP beneficiaries represents individual tax filers, which could underestimate those under 18. Therefore, results from this analysis should be interpreted accordingly and discrepancies may arise relative to the results based on the entire population.
    2. Calculation includes those who are under and above 60.
    3. Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
    4. The vertical dotted line represents the proportion for RDSP beneficiaries overall, which is 2.1%.

Appendix H: Regression discontinuity analysis

The findings of Regression Discontinuity Analysis (RDD) suggest that for people whose net family income is close to the program threshold, being eligible to receive a portion of bonds has a positive impact on opening an RDSP account.

Regression discontinuity analysis for low and modest income, 2020

For example, in 2020, people whose net family income was close to the program threshold to receive a portion of bonds increased their participation by 6.7 percentage points compared to similar non-eligible individuals close to that threshold.

Figure 17: Regression discontinuity analysis for low and modest income, 2020
Figure showing the results of a regression discontinuity analysis for people with low and modest incomes, in terms of the impact on participation in the program. See long text description below.
Figure 17: Text description

Figure 17 is a scatter plot showing, for the year 2020, the probability of opening a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) as a function of adjusted family net income. The horizontal axis represents income, while the vertical axis indicates the probability of opening an RDSP account. A vertical line marks the eligibility threshold for bonds. A visible discontinuity at this threshold shows that individuals on the eligible side are more likely to open an RDSP. This break in trend suggests a causal effect of eligibility on the decision to open an RDSP, interpreted using a regression discontinuity design.

In Figure 17, individuals with adjusted family net income just below the $46,605 threshold - and therefore eligible for a portion of the bonds - were more likely to have opened an RDSP than those with income slightly above the threshold who were not eligible. The estimated impact is 6.7 percentage points (see Table 16). This suggests that the bonds serve as an incentive in RDSP participation decisions.

  • Source: Employment and Social Development Canada (2025). Technical Report: Evaluation of the CDSP using linked administrative data
Table 17: RDD estimation of the impact of being eligible for bonds, Low and Modest income in 2020
Coefficient (in pp) Standard Error Z score
6.7 0.04 1.68

Regression discontinuity analysis for high income, 2020

Similarly, in 2020 people whose net family income was close to the program threshold to receive grants at the highest matching rate experienced an increase of 2.2 percentage points in opening an RDSP account relative to similar individuals close to that threshold who were eligible to receive grants at the lowest matching rate.

Figure 18: Regression discontinuity analysis for high income, 2020
Figure showing the results of a regression discontinuity analysis for people with high income, in terms of the impact on participation in the program. See long text description below.
Figure 18: Text description

Figures 18 is a scatter plot showing, for the year 2020, the probability of opening a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) as a function of adjusted family net income. The horizontal axis represents income, while the vertical axis indicates the probability of opening an RDSP account. A vertical line marks the eligibility threshold for grants. A visible discontinuity at this threshold shows that individuals on the eligible side are more likely to open an RDSP. This break in trend suggests a causal effect of eligibility on the decision to open an RDSP, interpreted using a regression discontinuity design.

Figure 18 shows that individuals with adjusted family net income just below the $93,208 threshold - and eligible for a portion of the grants — were more likely to have opened an RDSP than those with income slightly above the threshold who were not eligible. The estimated impact is 2.2 percentage points (see Table 17). This indicates that the grants also play an incentive role in encouraging participation in the program.

  • Source: Employment and Social Development Canada (2025). Technical Report: Evaluation of the CDSP using linked administrative data
Table 18: RDD estimation of the impact of being eligible for grants for high income in 2020
Coefficient (in pp) Standard Error Z score
2.2 0.03 0.47

Footnotes

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2025-11-27