Long-term savings

RDSP eligibility checklist before opening the plan

An RDSP is opened for one beneficiary, but the beneficiary and holder are not always the same person. The first check remains Disability Tax Credit approval.

Published July 17, 2026 · By the WealthWise team · Official sources reviewed

Short answer: the beneficiary generally must be approved for the Disability Tax Credit, have a valid SIN, be a Canadian resident and be under age 60 at the end of the year the plan opens. Who may act as holder depends on the beneficiary’s age and contractual competence.

Beneficiary conditions

Condition	Proof or check	Why it matters
DTC eligibility	CRA notice of determination	Core condition for the RDSP and grant or bond entitlements
Valid SIN	Beneficiary’s official information	Identification of the plan and benefits
Canadian residency	Residency status at the applicable time	Eligibility for opening and assistance
Age	Date of birth	Opening before the end of the year age 59

Retroactive DTC approval may create grant or bond entitlements for earlier eligible years. The institution and Employment and Social Development Canada determine amounts available.

Who can be the RDSP holder?

The holder opens the plan and makes decisions under the contract. For a minor beneficiary, a legal parent, guardian or other authorized representative may act. For an adult who is contractually competent, the beneficiary is normally holder of their own plan.

When an adult’s contractual competence is in doubt, the rules allow certain legally authorized people or qualifying family members to act in specific circumstances. This step depends on provincial law and documents required by the institution.

Important: only one person can be beneficiary of an RDSP, and generally only one RDSP can be open for that beneficiary at a time, although several people may contribute with the holder’s permission.

Ages that change the options

Beneficiary age	General effect
Through the end of the year age 49	Grant and bond applications remain possible, subject to other conditions
Age 50 to 59	Contributions may continue, but no new grants or bonds
End of the year age 59	General end of the contribution period
Year age 60	Lifetime payments must begin no later than required by the plan rules

These dates can make a late opening useful in some situations, but they reduce the time available for government assistance.

Document and application checklist

Confirm the DTC

Check approved years and any scheduled end to eligibility.

Choose the institution

Confirm it offers an RDSP, desired investments and transfers if needed.

Identify holder and beneficiary

Prepare SIN, identification and representation documents when required.

Apply for grant and bond

Opening alone may not replace government-assistance forms.

File tax returns

Family income used for calculations comes from prior returns, which must be current.

Understand the RDSP after opening

Eligibility opens the door; contributions, assistance and withdrawals then determine the plan’s value.

Guide

Complete RDSP guide

How contributions, withdrawals and tax work.

Assistance

RDSP grants and bonds

Calculations, limits and catch-up entitlements.

Centre

Registered accounts in Canada

Compare the purpose and rules of registered plans.

Organization

Consolidate accounts without transfers

See investments together without moving them.

Sources and method

Rules, limits and fees change. The primary sources below were reviewed on July 17, 2026. Always verify the official version before acting.

Government of Canada — RDSP — eligibility, opening, assistance and withdrawals
CRA — RDSP registration overview — beneficiary and plan conditions
CRA — understanding registered plans — general beneficiary and holder conditions

Read the WealthWise editorial methodology

Frequently asked questions

Must a person receive provincial disability benefits to open an RDSP?

No. The core federal condition is DTC approval, together with residency, SIN and age criteria.

Can a parent open an RDSP for an adult child?

It depends on contractual competence and recognized legal or temporary authority. The institution must verify applicable documents.

Can several family members contribute?

Yes, with the holder’s written permission, but all contributions share the beneficiary’s lifetime limit.

What happens if DTC eligibility ends?

The plan does not necessarily close immediately. Contributions, assistance and withdrawals then follow special rules to verify with the institution and official sources.

Include the RDSP in the full net-worth view

Track plan investments beside other accounts while keeping official assistance entitlements in a separate record.

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