Dental costs can be expensive for many people in Canada, and they are not provided for free by the government.
However, lower-income families may be able to receive some assistance with dental care for their children with the Canada Dental Benefit.
This child dental benefit scheme is only valid for children under 12 and is only available for families with a net income of under $90,000.
However, if you are eligible, you may want to apply to get help with dental care costs for your children.
In this guide, we look at the details of the Canada Dental Benefit, what you need to know about it, and how to apply to get financial assistance for your child’s dental care.
What Is the Canada Dental Benefit?
The Canada Dental Benefit helps families who are eligible to reduce dental costs for their children.
Eligibility is based on income, and it is only an option for families earning under $90,000 per year. In addition, only children under 12 years of age are eligible.
Families with a private dental insurance plan can also not take advantage of the Canada Dental Benefit.
The benefit contains two separate periods. The amount you can claim for your child also depends on different factors, the primary one being your family’s net income.
Related: Here’s how much Canadians make on average.
How Much Can You Receive From the Canada Dental Benefit?
The amount you can receive from the Canada Dental Benefit depends on the total income of your family.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) administers benefit payments, and it uses your family’s net income to determine the maximum benefit amount you can receive.
Payments from Canada Dental Benefit are tax-free, and eligible children can receive between $260 and $650 for their dental care in each period.
You cannot take advantage of the Canada Dental Benefit if you have a net family income of over $90,000. However, you may be eligible if you have a net family income below this.
- The lowest category provides up to $260 per eligible child. You can apply for this if you have a net family income between $80,000 and $89,999.
- You can apply for up to $390 per eligible child if your net family income is between $70,000 and $79,999.
- You can apply for the maximum amount of $650 per eligible child if your family’s net income is under $70,000.
You may also be eligible for an additional payment if you apply for one benefit period and the dental costs for your child are over $650.
The Canada Dental Benefit is divided into two periods, which we will look at next, so you can get two payments maximum for each child.
Related: Here are the other benefit payments the CRA administers.
Canada Dental Benefit Payment Dates
For each eligible child, you can apply for a maximum of two payments, one in each period of the benefit.
You can apply for all your children simultaneously, or you can apply for them separately if you prefer.
First Benefit Period
The first benefit period starts on December 1st, 2022 and lasts until June 30th, 2023.
During this period, you can apply for one payment for each eligible child who receives dental care.
However, the date they receive their dental care must be between October 1st, 2022 and June 30th, 2023.
Second Benefit Period
The applications for this benefit period open on July 1st, 2023. Again, you can apply for one payment for each eligible child who receives dental care.
The date that they receive their dental care must be between July 1st, 2023 and June 30th, 2024.
How to Apply for the Canada Dental Benefit
Applying for the Canada Dental Benefit is a fairly straightforward process. However, at the time of writing, applications are open only for the first period.
Eligibility
To be eligible, your family’s net income must be under $90,000 (see the information above for the limits).
Your child must also be under 12. If you have several eligible children, you can apply for them all together or separately.
Dates
You can apply for the first payment now and up until June 30th, 2023. The cutoff time for applying is midnight.
After this date, you can apply for a second payment if you are eligible.
The Application Process
The easiest way is to apply online using CRA My Account. However, there is some preparation involved, and you will need to gather the following information:
- The dental care provider’s details, including their name, telephone number and address, for each eligible child.
- The date of the dental appointment or the expected date.
- You will also need to provide details about your employer, including their name, telephone number and address.
- Finally, you must provide information about the employer of your spouse or common-law partner, including their name, telephone number and address.
If the dental appointment is rescheduled but remains within the same benefit period, you do not need to change anything.
Alternatively, you can apply by phone at 1-800-715-8836.
Or you can apply by TTY. Call 1-800-665-0354 if you use a teletypewriter and 1-800-715-8836 if you use an operator-assisted relay service.
Receiving Your Money
If you apply with the CRA, you should receive a direct deposit within five business days after your application is processed.
Alternatively, you can opt to receive a cheque. You should receive your cheque within 10 business days.
Validation
The CRA may contact you to validate your application, and you are required to respond within 30 days. If you do not, you may have to repay the money.
You must gather together all your dental care receipts and keep them for six years because the CRA may need to validate your eligibility at a later date.
FAQs
Does the Canadian government cover dental costs?
The Canadian government only covers some dental costs for eligible children under the Canada Dental Benefit plan up to the limits stated in this guide. However, oral health care is not covered by the Canada Health Act (CHA), and most people pay for it privately or through their insurance policies.
Does Canada Disability cover dental costs?
There are some government of Canada dental benefits for disabled people. Some people who receive disability assistance may be able to get assistance towards basic dental costs and emergency dental services.
How much does it cost to get your teeth done in Canada?
The cost of getting your teeth done depends on several factors, including the treatment you receive. A dental check-up and teeth cleaning often costs under $200. However, dental implants cost anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000.
How many Canadians have no dental insurance?
According to the CDA, 32% of Canadians do not have dental insurance. This rises to 50% of Canadians with lower incomes and 53% of adults aged 60 to 79.
Conclusion
The Canada Dental Benefit is a useful way for parents to get assistance with dental care costs for their children. If you are eligible, you may want to apply for it.
Dental costs can be high. If you do not have private dental insurance, this can be a good way to get assistance towards the cost of dental care for your child.
Make sure your child is eligible, and use the information in this guide to determine how much you can receive based on your family’s net income.
Then simply apply for the benefit during the dates stated above and get help towards dental treatment costs.
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