Low income doesn't have to mean low health benefits

The Low Income Health Benefit Program provides low-income residents who are not on Ontario Works (OW) or on the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) with vision, dental, and prescription medication benefits.

It allows working residents on low income to access:

• Adult dental care
• Vision care, glasses or contact lenses
• Prescription medications

About the Program

Are you eligible?

Working residents with low incomes who are not supported by Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program are eligible for the benefits.

To see if you are a low-income resident, check the LICO (Low Income Cut-Off) income chart on the Municipal Fee Assistance Program page.

Eligible applicants will be sent a letter they can take to their dentist, optometrist or pharmacy to access the care they need (within three months). 

How to apply

Visit the Municipal Fee Assistance Program page to see how to apply. 

Program Specifics

Adult Dental Care

• Must be 18 years or older (17 or younger are covered under the Healthy Smiles program).
• Includes routine cleaning, emergency restorative and preventative dental and denture-care services
• Does not include dental treatments received before your eligibility was determined.

Vision Care

• Eye exams for those 20 to 64 years old (OHIP covers eye examinations for people under 20 and 65 or older)
• Prescription eyeglass lenses and frames or contact lenses (where appropriate) for people of all ages.

Prescription Medications

• Prescriptions outlined in the Ontario Drug Benefit Plan for those aged 25 to 64. Must be prescribed by an approved healthcare professional and listed in the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary.
• Under OHIP+, medications are free for all children and youth 24 years of age and younger.
• Those who spend 3-4 per cent of their after-tax household income on prescription drugs will access the Trillium Drug Program.