To be eligible for the Canada Dental Benefit, there are several criteria that you need to meet. As of 2024, these include:

1. Adjusted Family Net Income

Your family’s adjusted net income should be less than $90,000 for the year 2021. This income is calculated by the Canada Revenue Agency based on your income information from 2021.

2. Child Age and Dental Care Period

The benefit is applicable for children who were under 12 years old as of July 1, 2023. Dental care services for these children must be received in Canada between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024.

3. Lack of Private Dental Insurance

The child for whom you’re applying should not have access to a private dental insurance plan. This includes cases where dental costs are partially or fully covered by private insurance, or if you or the child’s other parent declined an employer-provided dental plan that would have covered the child.

4. Dental Costs Not Covered by Other Programs

If your child’s dental costs are fully covered by another government dental program, they do not qualify for this benefit.

5. Canada Child Benefit (CCB) Recipient

You must be the recipient of the CCB for the child as of July 1, 2023, to apply for the dental benefit.

6. Specific Dental Services

Eligible dental services include those provided by a licensed dentist, denturist, or dental hygienist, such as orthodontic, preventive, restorative, diagnostic, oral surgery, endodontic, periodontal, and prosthodontic services.

7. Tax Return Filing

You and your spouse or common-law partner (if applicable) should have filed your 2022 tax returns.

In terms of the benefit amount, depending on your adjusted family net income, you can receive a tax-free payment of $260, $390, or $650 for each eligible child. You can apply for a maximum of two payments per child. If you are in a shared custody arrangement, the payments and application process might be different.

The application for the Canada Dental Benefit can be made through the Canada Revenue Agency’s online portal, CRA My Account, or by phone. The application requires details like the date of your child’s dental appointment, the dental care provider’s details, and your and your spouse’s or common-law partner’s employer information, if applicable.

The current application period is open until June 30, 2024, for dental care received between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. It’s important to apply within this timeframe, and you will need to repay the amounts received if the dental care is not received within this period.

For more detailed information, you can visit the Canada Revenue Agency’s page on the [Canada Dental Benefit](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/dental-benefit.html).