Tax filing needed to keep key Canadian benefits as dental plan renewal opens April 15

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published April 10, 2026

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The federal government says filing an income tax return on time remains essential for Canadians who want to keep important income-tested benefits, including the Canada Disability Benefit, Old Age Security, the Guaranteed Income Supplement, and the Canadian Dental Care Plan. In a news release issued on April 9, 2026, the government said many Service Canada benefits are renewed each year based on the income information provided in a tax return, making filing before the April 30, 2026 deadline an important step to avoid interruptions.

The government said renewal for the 2026-2027 Canadian Dental Care Plan benefit year will run from April 15 to June 1, 2026. Existing members must first file their taxes and receive their 2025 Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency before they can renew. Renewal will be available online or by phone.

Officials also warned that failing to renew during that period could create a coverage gap after June 30, 2026. Any dental services received during that gap would not be covered and would not be reimbursed retroactively.

For the Canada Disability Benefit, Service Canada said it is conducting annual reviews to confirm continued eligibility for 2026-2027. Clients who file their taxes on time and still have a valid Disability Tax Credit will remain automatically eligible for payments from July 2026 to June 2027. The government added that eligibility for Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement is also automatically confirmed once clients file their annual tax return.

In a practical update for readers, the government also said new applications for the current Canadian Dental Care Plan benefit year will remain open until April 14, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, while applications for the 2026-2027 benefit year will open for new applicants on June 2, 2026.