Employment and Income Assistance Facts

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Dental Assistance for Participants

Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) covers the cost of basic dental care. EIA is a program of last resort. If you have coverage from another program or private insurance, you must use that coverage first.

How to get coverage for dental care

You must be enrolled in EIA for a certain period of time before you can have coverage for dental care. The waiting period is:

• three months for all children
• three months for single parents or persons with disabilities
• six months for single adults or couples without disabilities

No waiting period for dental emergency situations to stop pain.

How to pay for dental care with EIA

EIA will pay for certain dental services. Dentists and denturists (people who make dentures) should be aware of what services are covered by EIA, and if they are not sure, they can call EIA directly for more information. To get help in paying for dental care:

• Make an appointment with a dentist or denturist.
• At your appointment, show your health benefits card if you have one, or mention that you receive EIA.
• If the treatment is covered and approved by EIA, your dentist or denturist will send the bill to EIA.

You must keep dental appointments. If you need to change an appointment, you should ask the dental office about its policy for advance notice on changing appointments. EIA does not pay for missed appointments.

How to pay for dental care when not enrolled in EIA

If your income supports your basic needs and you are not receiving assistance from EIA, but still cannot afford dental care, you may qualify for a one-time payment to help you pay for dental care. To apply:

• Contact EIA Intake before you have the dental work done.
• Provide your intake worker with information of your income for the last six months.
• Tell your intake worker about the dental care you think you need.

Intake will determine if you are eligible for help. To make an appointment to apply for dental help, telephone the Intake line in Winnipeg at 948-4000, or outside Winnipeg call the EIA office in your area.

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