The Nova Scotia Income Assistance is the provincial social assistance program administered to eligible residents of Nova Scotia.
Like other provincial income assistance, the Nova Scotia Income Assistance program has annual payment dates, benefits and eligibility criteria.
This article discusses the Nova Scotia Income Assistance dates for 2024 including the benefit amount, eligibility and other related programs.
Let’s get started!
What is Nova Scotia Income Assistance?
The Nova Scotia Income Assistance is an income-tested social benefit administered to eligible residents of Nova Scotia.
The Nova Scotia Income Assistance program is handled by the Nova Scotia Department of Community Services
As with other provincial income assistance, this program aims to help those who are unemployed or facing a financial challenge.
This program helps the needy cover their basic living expenses including feeding, clothing, rent and so on.
The Nova Scotia Income Assistance program is administered monthly in three installment payments to eligible residents in the province.
Aside from financial assistance, the Nova Scotia Income Assistance program also provides employment support and caters to beneficiaries with special needs.
Unemployed beneficiaries of the program are provided with job search assistance and employment counselling alongside financial assistance.
See the next section below for a highlight of the current Nova Scotia Income Assistance payment dates.
Nova Scotia Income Assistance Dates For 2024
The Nova Scotia Income Assistance payments are usually disbursed within the last 3 business days of the month excluding public holidays.
This consistent payment pattern has always helped calculate the payment dates for each year even before the official dates are revealed.
But starting January 2024, the payment schedule assumes a single payment date against the previous 3-day schedules. Consequently, the payments are now released on the last-third business day of the month.
That being said, the table below shows the official Nova Scotia Income Assistance payment dates for 2024.
| Benefit Month | Payment Date |
| January 2024 | December 27, 2023 |
| February 2024 | January 29, 2024 |
| March 2024 | February 27, 2024 |
| April 2024 | March 26, 2024 |
| May 2024 | April 26, 2024 |
| June 2024 | May 29, 2024 |
| July 2024 | June 26, 2024 |
| August 2024 | July 29, 2024 |
| September 2024 | August 28, 2024 |
| October 2024 | September 25, 2024 |
| November 2024 | October 29, 2024 |
| December 2024 | November 27, 2024 |
Note that the above dates apply to both cheque payments and direct deposits.
Those that set up direct deposit will receive their payments on the above dates. On the other hand, Canada Post will start delivering cheques on the above dates to those that opted for cheque payments.
It’s also worth noting that the Nova Scotia Income Assistance payment for the coming month is usually released in the previous month.
This is the reason why the payment for January 2024 was disbursed in December 2023. And the payment for January 2025 wil be disbursed in December this year.
Bear in mind that the payment dates are adjusted when the last 3 business days of a month fall on a public holiday.
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Nova Scotia Income Assistance Payment Methods
The following are the two methods by which you can receive the monthly Nova Scotia Income Assistance payment:
- Cheque
- Direct deposit
If you opt for cheque payments, the welfare office will send your Income Assistance cheque via mail to the address you specify. This option usually takes longer because you will have to clear the cheque at the bank after receiving it via mail.
On the other hand, you can receive your Income Assistance payment faster by setting up a direct deposit. This method is very fast because the payment will be deposited directly into your bank account.
To set up direct deposit, you need to download and print out the (PDF) Direct Deposit form. Then, complete the printed form, fill it out and submit it to your local DCS office.
Who is Eligible For Income Assistance in Nova Scotia (NS)?
To be eligible for the Nova Scotia Income Assistance program, you have to meet the following criteria.
- Reach the age of 19 or older
- Be a resident of Nova Scotia who has lived in the province for a minimum of three months
- You much have searched for jobs and explored other sources of income
- Have a considerably lower income and need financial assistance
Please note that other eligibility criteria might apply to applicants who have special needs.
In the case of Nova Scotia Social Assistance Disability, a doctor’s report might be required to confirm a person’s disability.
Unemployed beneficiaries are expected to keep searching for a job and participate in training or educational programs to retain their eligibility for the Nova Scotia Income Assistance.
How Much is Income Assistance in Nova Scotia?
The total amount you can get under the Nova Scotia Income Assistance program depends on your current living situation and the number of people in your family.
The Nova Scotia Income Assistance program consists of two components as follows:
- Basic Needs Assistance
- Special Needs Assistance
Let’s take a look at the benefits you can get under the two categories.
Basic Needs Assistance
This is also called the Standard Household Rate because it covers all the basic household needs such as food, clothing, shelter, personal items, fuel and utilities.
The Standard Household Rate is further divided into Essentials, Enhanced and Rent/Own and Boards assistance.
See the detailed breakdown of these subdivisions below.
1. Essentials Assistance
Nova Scotia Income Assistance beneficiaries are paid $380 per month as financial assistance under Essentials Assistance.
The $380 benefit applies to each adult in a household.
However, you can only receive this amount if you are temporarily in a homeless shelter, hospital, rehabilitation program, or transition house.
The Essentials assistance is not accessible to those that own a home, board or have a rented apartment.
2. Enhanced Assistance
A sum of $950 is paid monthly as Enhanced Assistance to those who are single, have a rented apartment or own a home and have any of these conditions:
- Aged 16 and older
- Fleeing from an abusive situation
- Have a disability (cognitive, mental or physical condition) limiting participation in employment activities
3. Rent/Own and Boards Assistance
The table below shows how much is paid to beneficiaries that rent, or own a home or board.
| Household Composition | |
| Number of Recipients | Number of Dependent Child/ Student or Family Member |
| 1 | 0 |
| 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 2 or more |
| 2 | 0 |
| 2 | 1 or more |
| Standard Household Rate (Per Month) | |
| Rent/Own | Board |
| $686 | $608 |
| $962 | $627 |
| $1,013 | $668 |
| $1,342 | $1,008 |
| $1,393 | $1,049 |
Special Needs Assistance
In addition to the Basic Needs assistance, eligible residents of Nova Scotia can also get Special Needs assistance.
The Special Needs assistance covers extra expenses such as:
- Child care
- Ambulance costs
- Medical equipment
- Medical supplies
- Prescription drugs
Click on this link to see the complete list of special needs and expenses covered by this Nova Scotia Income Assistance category.
Please note that your personal situation and specific need(s) will determine how much you can get as Special Needs assistance.
That being said, you can request Special Needs assistance by contacting your caseworker or calling 1-877-424-1177 if you are already an Income Assistance beneficiary.
If you aren’t an existing Income Assistance beneficiary, you will have to first apply for the Nova Scotia Income Assistance program. You will learn how to do so before the end of this article.
Nova Scotia Income Assistance Increase 2024
Before 2021, the government of Nova Scotia has only increased Income Assistance by 2% to 5%.
Everything changed in May 2021 when an increase of $100 was announced which amounts to a 20% addition to some beneficiaries.
The 2021 increase took the standard household rate from $508 to $608 for a single adult. Some other changes and initiatives were also introduced to increase the benefits of recipients.
In December 2022, the government of Nova Scotia also disbursed $250 as a one-time extra payment to each household on Income Assistance.
Full-time foster families got the $250 one-time payment in addition to another $1,000 one-time benefit before December 25, 2022.
However, the Nova Scotia Income Assistance payments are still not enough to shield poor residents from the rising inflation in the province.
As such, we expect the Nova Scotia Income Assistance payment to increase in 2024 as is the case with other provincial social assistance programs.
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Can I Work While on Income Assistance in Nova Scotia?
Absolutely. You can be working while receiving the Nova Scotia Income Assistance benefits.
However, your overall monthly income will determine the amount you will be paid as Income Assistance.
The table below shows how your monthly income affects how much Income Assistance you get while working.
| Regular Monthly Employment Income (Net Earnings) | Income Assistance Amount |
| $0 – $250 | 100% |
| $250 – $500 | $250 + 75% of any money earned over $250 |
| $500 – $750 | $437.50 + 50% of any money earned over $500 |
| $750 and above | $562.50 + 25% of any money earned over $750 |
Note that persons with disabilities that require some form of support to work have a different calculation for their Income Assistance deductions.
The following table below shows the Income Assistance amount paid to persons with cognitive, mental or physical disabilities that are working.
| Supported Monthly Employment Income (Net Earnings) | Income Assistance Amount |
| $0 – $350 | 100% |
| $350 – $500 | $350 + 75% of any money earned over $350 |
| $500 – $750 | $462.50 + 50% of any money earned over $500 |
| $750 and above | $587.50 + 25% of any money earned over $750 |
If you are unclear about your entitled benefits and deductions, please talk with your caseworker or contact the community services office.
How to Apply For Social Assistance in Nova Scotia
If you meet the eligibility of the Nova Scotia Income Assistance program, you can follow the steps below to apply for it.
1. Contact the Community Services Office
The first step is to contact the Department of Community Services office to begin your application for the Income Assistance program.
You can either call them at 1-877-424-1177 or visit the community services office in person.
Click on the following link that applies to you to see the list of community services offices in the region you reside in Nova Scotia.
2. Talk with a Caseworker
After contacting the community services office, a caseworker will be connected with you to access your eligibility for the program.
The caseworker will be responsible for gathering information about your living situation, health status, income and assets via an interview.
Through the interview, the caseworker may require you to provide the following information that applies to you:
- Proof of residency
- Doctor’s report (if necessary)
- Identification documents (Passport or driver’s license)
- Proof of your income
- Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Bank Statements for your account(s)
To smoothen your application process, ensure that you provide all the accurate information that might be requested by the caseworker.
3. Wait for Approval
After a successful interview with a caseworker, your application may take a few weeks to get approved.
However, the caseworker will keep you updated about the status of your application and also tell you how much you should expect to be paid.
Bear in mind that applications for Nova Scotia Income Assistance can sometimes be rejected.
If you got rejected, your caseworker can explain the reasons behind the rejection and guide you to other welfare programs you may be eligible for.
4. Appeal a Rejection Decision
In a situation where your application is rejected, you can take a closer look at the reasons provided and appeal the decision if necessary.
Please note that you only have 30 days to appeal such a rejection decision after you receive the rejection letter.
Finally, the appeal process can take several months due to the various time-consuming protocols involved.
Additional Benefits For Nova Scotia Residents
Aside from Income Assistance, there are also a few other support programs accessible to residents of Nova Scotia province. This includes:
- Nova Scotia Poverty Reduction Credit (PRC)
- Nova Scotia Student Assistance
- Nova Scotia Child Benefit (NSCB)
You can learn more about other Nova Scotia Support programs by clicking this link.
Also, Nova Scotia residents can access federal government benefits across different categories such as:
- Childcare benefits (Canada Fed Deposit)
- Tax credits (GST/HST Payment Dates
- Carbon Tax Rebate (Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP))
- Disability benefits
- Student loans and grants (Canada GSL Deposit)
- Employment Insurance
- Housing benefits
- Pensions
You can click this link to see the current benefits offered by the federal government of Canada.
Other Government Benefits:
- BC Income Assistance Dates
- Manitoba EIA Payment Dates and Benefits
- Alberta Seniors Benefit Payment Dates
- AISH Payment Dates and Benefits
- VAC Disability Benefit Payment Dates
Nova Scotia Income Assistance Dates: Summary
This article has discussed the Nova Scotia Income Assistance payment dates for 2024 with an in-depth overview of the benefits amount, eligibility and related benefits.
All that has been discussed so far sums up everything you should know before and after applying for the Nova Scotia Income Assistance program.
If you need more clarification, kindly comment below or contact the nearest community service.
Before leaving, you should navigate our Make Money page to learn more about how you can increase your income in Nova Scotia.
FAQs on Nova Scotia Income Assistance Payment Dates
What time Does Income Assistance get Deposited in Nova Scotia?
The Nova Scotia Income Assistance is released on the third-last business day of every month.
When is Disability Payment date for Nova Scotia Income Assistance?
In Nova Scotia, the Disability Payment dates are the same as that of the Nova Scotia Income Assistance dates discussed above.
That’s, the Disability Payment dates also fall under the last 3 working days of each month.
How long does it take to get welfare in Nova Scotia?
The payment method you choose will determine how fast you receive your welfare payment in Nova Scotia.
The Nova Scotia Income Assistance or welfare payments are made through cheques or direct deposits.
Direct deposits are processed automatically to your bank account within a few minutes.
However, cheque payments might take a few days before reaching your mailing address.
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