Bill C-31 becomes law: Here’s how your family can benefit

On November 17, 2022, Bill C-31, an Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housing, received Royal Assent. Part 1 of the Bill enacts the Dental Benefit Act, which provides parents with financial support for dental care services provided to their children under the age of 12.

The bill is an important step towards ensuring that 500,000 Canadian children have access to comprehensive dental care. Nearly one-third of Canadians don’t have a dental services plan because they lack access to insurance and cannot afford the cost of dental care. This has a knock-on effect on people’s overall health and the public health care system, as more people end up in emergency rooms due to untreated dental problems.

Is your family eligible?

The Canada Dental Benefit is designed for families with an annual household income of less than $90,000. Because the benefit is administered through the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), you can only apply for your children if you’re a registered CCB recipient.

To be eligible for the benefit, you must have filed your 2021 personal returns through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) My Account. You must also attest that your children do not have access to private dental coverage, which disqualifies children covered by private insurance plans. Children of First Nations and Inuit parents who receive coverage through programs such as the Non-Insured Health Benefit are eligible to apply.

The CRA regularly confirms people’s eligibility for payments received so it can request proof of expenditure, appointment date, and other details about your dentist visit. You should be able to provide these on demand. False information or receipts attracts a fine of up to $5,000.

The first year of the benefit program will run from October 2022 to June 2023 for children under the age of 12 as of December 1, 2022. For children under the age of 12 as of July 1, 2023, the second year will run from July 2023 to June 2024 (you need to file your 2022 tax return in time to qualify for this round).

What the bill means for you

Here’s a breakdown of the tax-free payments you will receive per period and child:

• If your family income ranges between $80,001 and $90,000, you will receive $260.
• If your family income ranges between $70,001 and $80,000, you will receive $390.
• If your family income is less than $70,000, you will receive $650.

You are not required to return the balance of each payment if the dental services you received during the payment period are less than the amount paid. However, you will be ineligible if you’re found to have misrepresented essential information to file a claim.

The program will be expanded to include children under the age of 18 in 2024, and all household members by 2025.