The federal government says seniors over the age of 87 will be the first cohort able to apply to join a new dental-benefits plan, which will be phased in slowly over 2024.

Health Minister Mark Holland announced the rollout of the program Monday morning.

The new plan is budgeted to cost $13 billion over the next five years.

The program is geared towards people with an annual household income of less than $90,000 who do not have access to private insurance.

Eligibility will be gradually expanded over the course of the next year to include all qualifying seniors, people with disabilities and children under the age of 18.

Once eligibility is expanded to include all qualifying Canadian residents in 2025, it will be the government’s largest social program.

The new dental-benefits plan was originally floated by the New Democrats, and is a key component of the supply-and-confidence deal between the NDP and the Liberals to secure the opposition party’s support on key votes.