If you’ve got kids and you’ve been struggling with dental bills, you might want to take a closer look at Centrelink’s dental benefit. You could be missing out on some vital help that’s sitting right there for the taking. Here’s the thing: it’s free, but not enough people are using it. Are you one of them?
Centrelink’s $1,158 Dental Benefit: A Boost for Families
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) was given a much-needed boost at the start of this year, with the cap raised from $1,132 to $1,158. If you’re eligible, that could be a total of $1,158 every two years to cover dental expenses for your child. Seems like a no-brainer, right? Yet, despite the fact that over 2 million kids are eligible for this benefit, only about 600,000 accessed it in the first half of last year. So, what’s going on?
Why Are So Many Missing Out?
The short answer is, people don’t always know about the benefit or how to access it. Centrelink is doing its best to make sure families are aware, sending letters to those eligible via myGov or by post. If your child is under 17, receives Medicare, and if you’re receiving certain Centrelink payments, chances are they qualify for the CDBS. No application is required, and you don’t even need to register—Centrelink will notify you, explains Yahoo Finance. Yet, the numbers don’t lie. Millions of eligible children aren’t receiving the support that’s available to them.
What Does the Benefit Cover?
So, what can you actually use this benefit for? The CDBS covers a range of basic dental services like check-ups, X-rays, fillings, and cleaning. However, it doesn’t cover more extensive procedures like orthodontics or cosmetic dentistry, which is a bit of a bummer for those needing braces. But still, if you’re looking at a routine check-up or cleaning, this could save you a lot of money.
The Financial Impact
The scheme is designed to reduce the financial strain of dental care for families already dealing with other financial pressures. Poor oral health, after all, can lead to serious health issues down the road, not to mention the potential costs of untreated dental problems. So, this benefit is about more than just a cleaner smile—it’s about investing in long-term health.
Why It’s Worth Taking Advantage Of
For families, that extra $26 (now $1,158 instead of $1,132) might not seem like much, but it can add up quickly when you consider the cost of dental services these days. If you’re eligible and not yet using the benefit, you’re missing out on some vital support that could make all the difference for your child’s oral health. And let’s face it—those bills add up fast, and anything that can make it a little easier to get your child the dental care they need is worth looking into.
If you haven’t already, check your myGov inbox, and make sure your details are up to date with Centrelink. It’s a simple step that could save you a lot of stress, and even more money in the long run.
