Are you feeling the financial pinch like many other Canadians?
Financial issues have become increasingly common in Canada. The rate at which prices for things like food, gas, and housing are far outpacing the rate of wage increases. Luckily, there are some solutions to help you overcome a tough financial rut, including credit counselling, debt consolidation, and of course, income support programs.
For those living in Nova Scotia, there’s also the Income Assistant (IA) Program.
Key Points You Should Know About IA
| What is it? | The Nova Scotia Income Assistance program provides regular payments to financially support low-income residents of the province. |
| How much can you get? | Depending on your living situation, you may qualify for up to $1,393 per month. |
| IA payment dates | Payments are made at the end of the month. For exact dates, please check the table below. |
What Is The Nova Scotia Income Assistance (IA) Program?
Nova Scotia’s Income Assistance program offers financial support to eligible people unable to support themselves or their families with basic and/or special needs. IA support can be used for needs like rent, food, child care, transportation, eyeglasses, and more.
Eligibility Requirements For The Nova Scotia Income Assistance (IA) Program
To apply for Nova Scotia’s Income Assistance (IA) Program, you must be:
- A resident of Nova Scotia
- At least 19 years of age (some exceptions for those aged 16-18)
- In need of financial support for your basic needs
- Currently unsuccessful in finding work or other sources of income
Indigenous peoples can also apply if they live off of the reserve. On-reserve Indigenous people should contact their Band if they require financial assistance.
People with disabilities might also be eligible without meeting all general requirements, as long as they need financial support to pay for basic needs.
For a more detailed look at the eligibility requirements for the Nova Scotia Income Assistance Program, click here.
How Much Can You Get Through The IA Program?
The amount you’re eligible for through Nova Scotia’s Income Assistance program depends on your situation but starts off with a Basic Needs amount and may include other amounts.
Basic Needs
Basic Needs include fuel, utilities, food, and clothing. The amount of money you can receive for basic needs depends on your living situation (whether you rent, own, or board) and the number of dependents you have. This is the Standard Household Rate.
See the chart below for monthly payment amounts for each situation:
| # of Recipients | # of Dependents | Rent/Own | Board |
| 1 | 0 | $686 | $608 |
| 1 | 1 | $962 | $627 |
| 1 | 2+ | $1,013 | $668 |
| 2 | 0 | $1,342 | $1,008 |
| 2 | 1+ | $1,393 | $1,049 |
There are a couple of additional categories of the Standard Household Rate with slightly increased payment amounts.
Standard Household Rate – Enhanced
Eligible individuals each receive an Enhanced Standard Household Rate of $950 per month. To qualify, you must either be 55 or older, 16 to 18 years of age, fleeing an abusive situation, or have a disability or chronic mental, cognitive, or other condition that limits your ability to work.
Standard Household Rate – Essentials
Eligible individuals each receive the Essentials Standard Household Rate of $380 per month. This is for individuals who don’t board, rent, or own a home and are temporarily in a homeless shelter, hospital, transition house, or rehabilitation program.
Additional Income Support
In addition to financial support for basic needs, you may also qualify for several other expenses, including, but not limited to, special needs assistance, prescription drug coverage, and transportation.
Special Needs Assistance
In addition to assistance for basic needs, the IA Program offers special needs assistance to support you with health, safety, work, and training. The Special Needs assistance component of IA helps with the following:
Prescription Drug Coverage
IA recipients can receive extra support for prescription drugs (Pharmacare). To be eligible, you must have a Nova Scotia Health Card.
Arrears
If you’re in arrears on mortgage or rent payments, property tax, or utility bills, the IA special needs component can help.
Transportation
Income Assistance recipients living in the Halifax Regional Municipality are eligible for an annual Halifax transit card, free of charge. Depending on your situation, you might be eligible for additional or alternative transportation assistance.
Harvest Connection Program
For IA recipients who have been enrolled in the program for at least 6 months, the Harvest Connection Program allows them to make $3,000 per year without having to pay any of their IA back. This only applies if the work you’re doing involves season harvesting of crops like berries, vegetables, apples, and Christmas trees.
If you have a child, you may be eligible for the Nova Scotia Child Benefit.
Nova Scotia Income Assistance Payment Dates 2024
Here are the 2024 payment dates for the income assistance cheques:
| Month | Direct Deposit And Cheque Delivery Date |
| January 2024 | December 27, 28, & 29, 2023 |
| February | January 29, 30, & 31, 2024 |
| March 2024 | February 27, 28, & 29, 2024 |
| April 2024 | March 26, 27, & 28, 2024 |
| May 2024 | April 26, 29, & 30, 2024 |
| June 2024 | May 29, 30, & 31, 2024 |
| July 2024 | June 26, 27, & 28, 2024 |
| August 2024 | July 29, 30, & 31, 2024 |
| September 2024 | August 28, 29, & 30, 2024 |
| October 2024 | September 25, 26, & 27, 2024 |
| November 2024 | October 29, 30, & 31, 2024 |
| December 2024 | November 27, 28, & 29, 2024 |
| January 2025 | December 27, 30, & 31, 2024 |
How To Apply For The Nova Scotia Income Assistance (IA) Program
To apply, you must speak with a caseworker by calling the Department of Community Services Intake Team at 1-877-424-1177 or your local office.
Before speaking to your caseworker over the phone, make sure you have the following documents handy:
- Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Bank statements
- Any other relevant information to help explain your scenario
After you chat over the phone, your caseworker will set up a meeting with you. Make sure you bring the following documents to your meeting:
- Driver’s license or Photo ID
- Bank statements
- Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Income tax assessment forms
- Lease Agreement
- Bills for housing costs, like utilities
Your caseworker will usually let you know within 7 days if you’ve been successful or unsuccessful in your IA application.
Find out if you should file your income tax return if you have no income.
Can Working Can Affect Your Income Assistance Payment?
If you are working while receiving payments from the IA Program, you might not be able to keep the full amount of the payments. This depends, however, on how much money you’re making at work each month, and on what type of employment you have.
Regular employment indicates the recipient does not have any disabilities that prevent them from working. Supported employment indicates the recipient has mental, physical or cognitive abilities that prevent them from working without ongoing support.
Are you having a hard time getting a loan due to your lack of employment? Then you should check out these unemployment loans.
| Net Monthly Earnings | Amount of Money You Keep (Regular Employment) |
| $0-$250 | All |
| $250-$500 | $250 + 75% of money earned over $250 |
| $500-$750 | $437.50 + 50% of money earned over $500 |
| Over $750 | $562.50 + 25% of money earned over &750 |
How Going to School Can Affect Your Income Assistance
You can still receive Income Assistance if you’re a student, as long as you fall under one of the following categories:
- You’re studying for grade 12 and enrolling in an upgrading program
- You’re participating in a training program to gain the skills required for a specific job
- You’re enrolled in a post-secondary program that’s no longer than 2 years
- You’re enrolled in a post-secondary program that lasts over 2 years and you’re a member of the Career Seek program
Speak to your caseworker before you attend school to make sure you remain eligible for Income Assistance in Nova Scotia.
Other Financial Assistance Programs In Nova Scotia
Depending on your particular needs, there are other financial assistance programs available in Nova Scotia that you may want to look into:
Affordable Access Program
The Affordable Access Program allows eligible individuals to participate in municipal subsidized programs in Halifax. With one application, residents can apply to all the programs that want without having to apply separately. Programs include Affordable Access Transit Pass, the Recreation Access Program, and the Property Tax Exemption and Deferral Program.
Applicants are assessed based on Statistics Canada’s current Low-Income Cut-Offs.
Employment Support and Income Assistance (ESIA)
The Employment Support and Income Assistance program helps residents of Nova Scotia who are unable to financially support themselves or their families. Programs involved include Income Assistance and Employment Support Services (ESS). In addition to basic needs payments, you may also get help finding work.
Nova Scotia Child Benefit (NSCB)
The Nova Scotia Child Benefit program provides a tax-free monthly payment to low- and moderate-income households to help cover the costs of raising children under the age of 18 years. Payments coincide with the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) program. Your benefit amount depends on how many children you have and your household income.
Home Energy Assistance Top-Up (HEAT) Fund
The Home Energy Assistance Top-Up Fund financially supports low-income Nova Scotia residents with home heating costs throughout the winter. Eligible households may receive up to $400 as a one-time payment to be put toward paying for heating bills.
Final Thoughts
Life is expensive, and having a hard financial situation isn’t hopeless. Programs like Nova Scotia’s support program can help you find some financial relief until you get back on your feet.
