Dental care benefit applications open today for children under 12

Starting today, parents can apply through the Canada Revenue Agency to receive the new federal children’s dental benefit.

The government says the dental benefit is planned to provide cost-of-living relief to low-income families, but critics say it is a drop in the bucket to what is needed.

Families with children under 12 are eligible to apply if household earnings are less than $90,000 annually.

The dental care benefit ranges from $260 to $650 per child depending on the household’s net income.

READ MORE: Canada’s dental-care benefit bill is now law

On Dec. 12, a one-time rental supplement of $500 will also be available for low-income families.

Also taking place today is a permanent update to the Canada Labour Code that requires the federally regulated private sector to provide two weeks of paid sick leave to employees.

The NDP pushed for the sick day policies and dental care benefits as part of an agreement to support the minority Liberals on major legislation and confidence votes until 2025.

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