KAWARTHA LAKES-The Federal government is expanding eligibility for the new Canadian Dental Care Plan.
Each month, Service Canada will contact a new group of seniors, based on age. While applications remain open for those 77 years or older, in February it is expanding to seniors, aged 72 to 76. That means potentially eligible seniors aged 72 to 76 will start receiving letters inviting them to apply to the CDCP, with instructions on how to validate their eligibility and apply to the plan by phone.
To qualify for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) you must have an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000, not have access to employer/pension-sponsored or private dental insurance and have filed your tax return in the previous year.
The CDCP is being rolled out using a phased approach:
- Since December 2023, Service Canada sent letters to potentially eligible seniors aged 77 and up, inviting them to apply.
- Starting February 1st, Service Canada will send letters to seniors aged 72 to 76, inviting them to apply.
- Starting March 1st, Service Canada will send letters to seniors aged 70 to 71, inviting them to apply.
- In May 2024, applications will shift to an online application process and will be open for eligible seniors aged 65 and older.
- In June 2024, persons with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate and children under the age of 18 will be able to apply online.
- All remaining eligible Canadian residents between the ages of 18 and 64 will be able to apply online starting in 2025
After someone is approved by Service Canada to be enrolled in the CDCP, their information will be referred to Sun Life. Sun Life will enroll eligible applicants in the CDCP and will send them a welcome package, including information on the CDCP, coverage details, their member card, and the start date of their coverage.
People who qualify for the CDCP can start seeing a dentist or other oral health provider as early as May 2024. An individual’s coverage start date, the date at which they can begin to access services, will vary based on when the application is received and when enrolment is completed. Expenses will not be covered prior to the coverage start date.
The Canada Dental Benefit will continue to support families with children under the age of 12 until June 30, 2024. Parents and caregivers will be able to apply for the CDCP for children under the age of 18 as of June 2024.
