How much you can get
Your Canada Dental Benefit payments are tax-free and will vary based on your family income. Parents and guardians with children who meet the eligibility criteria may apply for this benefit.
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Benefit amounts based on income
The CRA determines your benefit amount based on your adjusted family net income. The benefit amount for each eligible child will not change based on your dental costs.
How shared custody benefit amounts are split
If your child only lives with you part-time, you may be considered to have shared custody for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB). You will receive half of the dental benefit amount if you share custody of your child and currently split the CCB.
Both parents can apply for the dental benefit if they are eligible. The amount you receive would be 50% of the benefit amount based on your own adjusted family net income. This means you may receive a different amount than your child's other parent.
The dental benefit uses the same custody arrangement as the CCB as of:
- December 1, 2022 for the first benefit period
- July 1, 2023 for the second benefit period
Use your adjusted family net income from:
- 2021 for dental care received between October 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023
- 2022 for dental care received between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024
Benefit amounts per eligible child
| Adjusted family net income | Full custody amount | Shared custody amount |
|---|---|---|
| less than $70,000 | $650 | $325 |
| $70,000 to $79,999 | $390 | $195 |
| $80,000 to $89,999 | $260 | $130 |
| $90,000 or more | not eligible | not eligible |
Estimate your benefit amount if you're still unsure or do not know your adjusted family net income.
If dental costs are more than $650
If you only apply for one benefit period and your child's dental costs are over $650 in that period, you may meet the criteria for the additional payment.
How many payments you can get
For this benefit, you may apply for a maximum of 2 payments for each eligible child. If you have more than one eligible child, you can apply for all of them at the same time or separately.
During the first benefit period
From December 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, you could only apply for one payment for each eligible child who received dental care between October 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023.
During the second benefit period
You can apply for one or two payments for each eligible child depending on your situation.
If you received a payment for a child in the first benefit period, that child will only be eligible for one more payment.
If you received a payment during the first benefit period
You may only get one payment in the second period
You may apply for one of the following for your eligible child:
A payment for dental care between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024
The additional payment for the first period if you paid more than $650 for dental care your child received between October 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023
This may be different if you are in a shared custody arrangement.
If you did not receive a payment during the first benefit period
You could get up to 2 payments in the second period
If eligible, you could apply for both of the following:
A payment for your child's dental care between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024
The additional payment for the second period if you have paid or expect to pay more than $650 for your child's dental care and you meet the criteria
This may be different if you are in a shared custody arrangement.
For shared custody arrangements
If your child only lives with you part-time, you may be considered to have shared custody for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB).
If you split the CCB as of December 1, 2022, each eligible parent may receive a maximum of 2 split payments (50% of the benefit amount) for that child. Your eligibility or benefit amount will not change even if the other parent does not apply.
It is possible for parents of the same child to get different amounts because it is based on their own family's net income which may not be the same.
Coordinate applications for the same child
If both parents are applying for a child, they must choose the same 2 payments to apply for:
- Period 1: Original payment
- Period 1: Additional payment
- Period 2: Original payment
- Period 2: Additional payment
If your child's other parent received a payment for the first and second benefit period
You may only apply for the same payments as your child's other parent
You may apply for one payment in the second period.
If you're eligible, you may only apply for the original payment for dental care your child received between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024.
If you or your child's other parent received an additional payment for the first benefit period
You may only apply for the same payments as your child's other parent
If you're eligible, you may only apply for the additional payment for the first benefit period.
If you did not apply for the first benefit period, you cannot apply.
If you or your child's other parent received a payment during the first benefit period only
You may apply for one payment in the second period
You may apply for one of the following for your eligible child:
A payment for dental care between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024
The additional payment for the first period if their dental costs were over $650 between October 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023
Your child's other parent may only apply for the same payment as you.
If you are not sure which payments your child's other parent received
You may apply for one payment in the second period
If your child's other parent has already applied, you will only see the same option in your CRA My Account that they applied for.
You may be able to apply for one of the following for your eligible child:
A payment for dental care between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024
The additional payment for the first period if their dental costs were over $650 between October 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023
Both you and your child's other parent must apply for the same payment.
If you or your child's other parent did not receive a payment during the first benefit period
You could get up to 2 payments in the second period
If eligible, you could apply for both of the following:
A payment for your child's dental care between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024
The additional payment for the second period if you have paid or expect to pay more than $650 for your child's dental care and you meet the criteria
Not sure if you or your child's other parent received a payment during the first benefit period
Both you and your child's other parent must apply for the same payments
Depending on the payments your child's other parent has already applied for, you may be able to apply for up to 2 payments.
If you're not sure which payments you can apply for, contact us.
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