Increased income eligibility will expand access to care for low-income seniors
The Ontario government is ensuring that the province’s most vulnerable seniors can continue to connect to dental care and affordable prescription medications by increasing access to the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program and the Seniors Co-Payment Program.
On August 1, 2024, the annual income eligibility thresholds for the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program and the Seniors Co-Payment Program will be increased for single Ontarians aged 65 and over from $22,200 to $25,000, and from $37,100 to $41,500 for couples.
“Our government is continuing to take action to ensure that Ontarians have access to the health care and services they need, at every stage of life,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.
“By breaking down barriers to accessing these programs, we are making it faster and easier for low-income seniors to connect to the care they need, when they need it.”
The Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program connects almost 150,000 low-income seniors to free, routine dental care each year. Eligible seniors are encouraged to apply by going online and downloading and printing the application form or by picking one up at their local public health unit. Seniors who are eligible under the new income thresholds can apply starting July 1, 2024.
The Seniors Co-Payment Program helps keep costs down for low-income seniors who need prescription medications by reducing co-pays to $2 or less and removing annual deductibles. Eligible seniors who will be 65 on or after July 1, 2024, can apply starting today so they can benefit as soon as possible.
Seniors can complete an application online or request a paper application form be mailed to them by calling the Seniors Co-Payment Program toll free at 1-888-405-0405 or 416-503-4586. Seniors currently enrolled in the Seniors Co-Payment Program do not need to re-apply.
This increase to the annual income eligibility will also help ensure seniors currently enrolled in these programs that have received additional, financial government support, will continue to be eligible and benefit from these health services.
“The health and well-being of Ontario’s seniors is a priority for our government,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “By expanding the eligibility threshold for these programs, we are helping to ensure that more seniors across the province can access the dental and health care they deserve to stay healthy, improve their quality of life and age with dignity.”
Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the Ontario government is making it easier and faster for people to connect to the care they need, closer to home.
Launched in 2019, the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program helps connect eligible low-income seniors across the province with free, routine dental care. To date over 149,000 seniors have enrolled in the program. Seniors who do not have a Social Insurance Number (SIN) or did not file taxes last year, can still apply.
The Seniors Co-Payment Program helps low-income seniors access the medication they need with no annual deductible and a reduced co-payment of $2 or less for each eligible prescription. In 2023, over 400,000 seniors were enrolled.
People in Ontario are automatically enrolled in the Ontario Drug Benefit Program on the first day of the month after they turn 65 years old. This program covers most of the costs of more than 5,000 prescription drug products.
Seniors pay the first $100 of their prescription drug costs each year (the deductible) and up to $6.11 for every prescription (the co-payment).
For Further Reading:
- Learn more about Dental Care for Low-Income Seniors at Ontario.ca/SeniorsDental
- Ontario Expanding Access to Dental Care and Affordable Prescription Drugs for Vulnerable Seniors
- Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care
Image by JOSEPH SHOHMELIAN from Pixabay