Province adjusting eligibility thresholds for seniors’ dental and prescription co-payment plans to account for cost of living
Changes to take effect August 1
The province is updating eligibility requirements for the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program and the Seniors Co-Payment program, with changes coming by the beginning of August.
The Ontario Government announced Tuesday it will update eligibility thresholds for both programs to reflect cost of living increases in Ontario and to align with income support programs for seniors. The province says this will happen as of August 1, 2021.
Income thresholds will be updated for single Ontarians aged 65 and over, from $19,300 to $22,200, and for couples with a combined annual income, from $32,300 to $37,100. It is expected this will allow about 7,000 more seniors to access the provincial dental care program and some 17,000 to make use of the co-payment program by the end of 2022.
“We know that good oral health is linked to not only better physical health, but also better overall mental health,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “These programs help provide seniors with the dignity they deserve and help to improve their quality of life.”