Further to the WCBC article posted September 19, 2022 regarding the Canada Dental Plan, the legislation for the Plan has received Royal Assent.  The Canada Dental Plan was one of a number of items proposed in the Budget 2022: A Plan to Grow Our Economy and Make Life More Affordable. 

Bill C-31 known as the Cost of Living Relief Act, No. 2 (Targeted Support for Households), provides eligible parents or guardians with up to $650 tax-free per year for two years to cover dental expenses for children under 12. The coverage is available to families without access to private dental insurance and with an adjusted family net income under $90,000. Details on the coverage can be found here.

This interim dental benefit is only available for two benefit periods. Eligible families can obtain a maximum of two payments for each eligible child. Benefit payments will be administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The CRA will begin receiving applications and processing payments for the benefit starting December 1, 2022 covering eligible dental care services retroactive to October 1, 2022 and up to June 30, 2023.  A second benefit period will open for applications on July 1, 2023. This will cover eligible dental care for children for the period July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.

Applicants can apply to receive this financial support ahead of appointments, but will have to provide proof of eligibility such as contact information for the dental service provider, date of the appointment, and information related to their employer and spouse / partner benefit coverage.

While only children under 12 years old will initially have access to the Plan, the Liberal Government has promised that the Plan will expand in 2023 to cover under-18-year-olds, seniors, and people living with a disability. By 2025 the Plan would be available to all Canadian families with incomes of less than $90,000 annually.

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Please contact Giovanna Lau, Director, Employee Benefits at WCBC for your benefits needs.
604-443-3703 | giovanna_lau@wcbc.ca