The province has put additional funds into several income assistance programs, including heating assistance and income support.
Heating Assistance Rebate Program
The Province will make a one-time payment of $150 to everyone who is a currently eligible recipient of the Heating Assistance Rebate Program (HARP). The payment should arrive by the end of April. People who receive assistance through this year's HARP will automatically receive the extra $150 payment.
Apply for Home energy Assistance Top-up (HEAT) Fund
The Home Energy Assistance Top-up (HEAT) Fund supports Nova Scotians in need with home heating cost during the winter months, with a maximum assistance of $400 for individuals and families. You may apply if you live in Nova Scotia, are experiencing an emergency heating situation and are within the following low-income thresholds:
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$29,000 for one-person households,
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$47,703 for two to four person households, and
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$67,937 for households of five or more individuals.
If you have applied before, the previous restriction on the time frame for eligibility (only every 24 months) has been waived. The deadline for all 2022 applications has also been extended indefinitely, meaning those who received funds in 2021, may also apply in 2022.
You can get an application for HEAT from your local MLA offices, or from the Salvation Army online at: https://salvationarmy.ca/maritime/home/programs/heat/?fbclid=IwAR3xNHULVb6w6Rx_knVFDOZr2eCajjS1abrZqgIxs2eU8jJVqC7EsRUK-4s
Current Income Assistance and Disability Support Program
The province will be issuing a one-time payment of $150 to all current income assistance recipients, including Disability Support Program participants receiving income support; for example, a single parent on income assistance with three children will receive $600. Payments will be processed the last week of March.