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Federal child dental benefit has seen 35,000 applications in first week: minister

Click to play video: 'Canada Dental Benefit applications officially open'
Canada Dental Benefit applications officially open
Canadian parents can now apply for the federal government's new dental care benefit for kids, which became a reality due to the deal struck by the NDP to support the Liberals' minority government until 2025. Marney Blunt explains who qualifies for the plan, how much money families can expect, and the plan for a wider, national dental insurance program – Dec 1, 2022

Social Development Minister Karina Gould says 35,000 people have applied for the new child dental benefit since the program opened a week ago.

Gould was responding to an opposition question in the House of Commons about Canadians who are struggling with the rising cost of living.

The new benefit is aimed at children under the age of 12 from low- and middle-income families who do not have private insurance.

Eligible families can get up to $650 per child per year to help with the cost of dental care.

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It’s a cornerstone of the supply-and-confidence agreement between the Liberals and the New Democrats, which will see the NDP support the minority government on key votes in exchange for progress on shared priorities.

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The government expects to receive about 500,000 applications for the nearly billion-dollar benefit program.

Click to play video: 'Children’s dental benefit now available for parents'
Children’s dental benefit now available for parents

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