The Nova Scotia Department of Social Welfare was founded in 1944 to provide basic financial assistance to eligible residents experiencing hardship. Today, the program is just as strong as ever. Currently, over 38,000 Nova Scotians receive some form of income assistance (welfare).
Nova Scotia social assistance payments are typically issued on the last three business days of the month. The amount is divided into three separate payments.
Interested in learning more about Nova Scotia’s income assistance program? You’re in the right place.
Below, I’ll list all of the upcoming Nova Scotia social assistance payment dates, explain how to apply for welfare, who’s eligible, and answer a few of the most commonly asked questions about social assistance in Nova Scotia.
Nova Scotia Social Assistance Payment Dates 2022
Once you’re approved for social assistance in Nova Scotia, your caseworker should be able to provide you with a list of upcoming payment dates, so you know when to expect your funds. You can also view upcoming payments by visiting Nova Scotia’s official government website, which is regularly updated.
For reference, though, here are all of the upcoming Nova Scotia social assistance payment dates for 2022:
- November 28th, 29th, 30th (2022)
- December 28th, 29th, 30th (2022)
The Department of Social Welfare disburses direct deposit payments on these dates, and you should be able to access the funds within 24 hours of disbursement, depending on your chequing account.
If you opt to receive a paper cheque mailed to your residence, though, there may be a delay. While the DSW tries its best to ensure that cheques arrive by the payment dates, weather and holidays can interfere with the postal service, causing delays.
Nova Scotia Social Assistance Payment Dates 2023
Nova Scotia social assistance payment dates are regularly updated by the Department of Social Welfare. The government typically follows the same disbursement pattern every year, issuing cheques and direct deposits on the last three business days of the month.
Following this pattern, here are the Nova Scotia income assistance dates for 2023:
- January 27th, 30th, 31st (2023)
- February 24th, 27th, 28th (2023)
- March 29th, 30th, 31st (2023)
- April 26th, 27th, 28th (2023)
- May 29th, 30th, 31st (2023)
- June 28th, 29th, 30th (2023)
- July 26th, 27th, 28th (2023)
- August 29th, 30th, 31st (2023)
- September 27th, 28th, 29th (2023)
- October 27th, 30th, 31st (2023)
- November 28th, 29th, 30th (2023)
- December 27th, 28th, 29th (2023)
One important point that’s worth noting is that the payments are issued on the last three business days of the month (as opposed to standard days). In some months, three payments will be issued on three consecutive days.
During other months, payments may be issued on a Friday, followed by payments on the following Monday and Tuesday.
Government holidays may also affect your cheque deposit and mailing dates.
What Is Nova Scotia Income Assistance (IA)?
Every province in Canada offers some form of social welfare and income assistance.
Nova Scotia’s program is generally referred to as income assistance (or IA). However, the term “social assistance” is also used as well, as the Department of Social Welfare issues income assistance payments on the same dates as other welfare assistance programs.
Nova Scotia’s income assistance program helps local residents who are facing financial hardship, are unable to find employment, or are unable to cover their monthly living expenses.
If you’re eligible for the income assistance program, then you’ll receive three payments at the end of each month. The idea here is that you should receive your funds a few days before your monthly rent or mortgage payments are due (which is usually on the first of each month).
In addition to the basic income assistance amount, Nova Scotia also provides supplements for medical care, prescription drugs, and other basic necessities.
The amount you’ll receive varies and is determined by your caseworker, according to:
- Your current expenses
- The number of dependents living with you
- Your age
- Your employment status
- Pre-existing health conditions that may prevent you from working
Nova Scotia’s social assistance isn’t designed to provide a full-time income. However, the amount can help eligible recipients get the support and care they need to continue searching for a job so that one day they can successfully exit the assistance program.
In addition to a monthly allowance, Nova Scotia income assistance beneficiaries will also have access to employment aid, which can help them find jobs and qualify for vocational training.
Who Is Eligible For Nova Scotia Social Assistance?
Compared to some Canadian provinces, Nova Scotia’s social assistance programs are fairly easy to apply for. Here are the basic eligibility requirements to receive income assistance in Nova Scotia:
- You must be a full-time resident of Nova Scotia
- You must be at least 19 years old (16-18 year-olds are eligible under special circumstances)
- You must show clear financial need
Additionally, you must also show that you’ve exhausted your other options for financial assistance, such as:
- Spousal support
- Employment insurance
- Canada pension
Your caseworker may want to see proof that you’ve applied for these programs before your case is accepted. If you’re married, you may also need to show proof of your spouse’s income and prove that they cannot afford to support you.
Nova Scotia Social Assistance Benefits: Overview
Now that you have a better idea of your eligibility for social assistance in Nova Scotia let’s take a few minutes to go over some of the key benefits that you may be able to receive as a beneficiary.
Basic Needs Assistance
Basic needs assistance is the most common payment offered by the income assistance program. This is designed to cover essentials, such as your rent, utility payments, fuel, food, and clothing.
It’s broken into three different parts:
- Essentials
- Rent & Board
- Enhanced Assistance
Essentials
A $380 monthly allowance is issued to applicants who currently do not have a full-time residence and is meant to help them afford basic food and clothing. It does not cover shelter costs (see below). Eligible individuals could include those who are:
- Hospitalized
- In a rehabilitation program
- In a halfway house
- Homeless or living in a shelter
Rent & Board
On the other hand, if you do have standard living arrangements (i.e., rent an apartment, have a home mortgage, or pay room and board), then you’ll receive an additional amount designed to help you cover your living expenses.
The standard rental support allowance is a bit more than the board allowance, as renters typically have a greater financial responsibility. For an idea of how much you can expect, take a look at the chart below:
| Household Status | Social Assistance Allowance | ||
| Recipients (Single vs. Married) | Number Of Dependants Living In-Home | Rent/Mortgage | Board |
| 1 (single) | 0 | $686 | $608 |
| 1 (single) | 1 | $962 | $627 |
| 1 (single) | 2+ | $1,013 | $668 |
| 2 (married) | 0 | $1,342 | $1,008 |
| 2 (married) | 1+ | $1,393 | $1,049 |
As you can see, the amount of assistance you’re eligible for increases dramatically if you have dependent children, students, or adults living in your home. That’s because dependents often come with greater responsibilities, which could make it harder to find full-time employment.
Also, keep in mind that these numbers represent the maximum amount that you can receive. Depending on your income and expenses, you may receive marginally less than the amounts listed in the table.
Enhanced Assistance
In addition to the standard rent and board support above, eligible recipients in special circumstances are entitled to receive a base rate of $950 per month. Those who are eligible to receive enhanced assistance include:
- Youths ages 16, 17, and 18
- Applicants fleeing an abusive home (teens or adults)
- Applicants older than 55
- Those with a physical or mental disability that prevents them from working a steady job
These individuals all face unique challenges, which is why the Department of Social Welfare is willing to provide them with additional help.
Special Needs Assistance
Basic needs support is available to all eligible applicants. However, approved recipients are also entitled to additional supplements that offer funds to cover things such as health care, child care, ambulance costs, funeral costs, dental care, eye care, and more.
Some of the most common supplements to Nova Scotia’s income assistance program include payments for:
- Security deposits (rental unit or utilities)
- Extermination services (pests and rodents)
- Insurance costs (home insurance)
- Property taxes
- Prescription drug coverage
- Transportation assistance
The list is quite lengthy, so I won’t repeat it all here. You can view the complete list of special needs supplements on Nova Scotia’s official site here.
Keep in mind that the cost of these items won’t necessarily be covered in full. However, you should qualify for reduced costs, which can ease the financial strain and allow you to save money.
Nova Scotia Social Assistance: Employment Support
Like most social welfare programs, Nova Scotia’s social assistance payments aren’t designed to be a permanent benefit. Rather, the goal is to provide financial assistance to Nova Scotians who are trying to get back up on their feet.
Exceptions to this include seniors and those with a disability. These applicants may be able to receive indefinite support, depending on their circumstances.
If you’re a recipient of standard income assistance, then you’ll also be eligible to receive employment support services (ESS) from the Department of Social Welfare.
ESS offers educational and vocational training opportunities that can help candidates learn valuable skills and find employment. Initially, this may involve attending classes, working with volunteer organizations, or working a part-time job. Eventually, the goal is to help applicants become fully self-sufficient.
How Are Nova Scotia IA Payments Issued?
If you’re approved for Nova Scotia’s income assistance program, then you’ll be paid during the last three business days of the month. As a recipient, you’ll be able to choose between the following methods of payment:
- Direct deposit to your bank account
- Mailed cheque
Of the two methods, direct deposit is the best. Most chequing accounts make it easy to set up direct deposit so that you can get your money safely and instantly. As long as you’re enrolled in direct deposit, you should receive your funds on the exact payment dates that I mentioned above.
If you prefer to receive mailed cheques, then you may not receive your paper cheques until several days after the disbursement date. Also, mailed cheques are a bit riskier, as there’s a chance that your cheques could be lost or delivered to the wrong address.
How To Apply For Nova Scotia Social Assistance: Step-By-Step
Are you a Nova Scotia resident? Have you been experiencing financial hardship? If so, then you may be eligible to receive income assistance from Nova Scotia’s Department of Social Welfare. The application process is relatively quick and easy, so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t try.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to apply for Nova Scotia social assistance.
Step 1: Contact The Department Of Community Services
First, you’ll need to contact the Department of Community Services. This organization handles new applicants and screens them for eligibility to the program. If your case is eligible, then it will be passed on to an agent with the Department of Social Welfare.
Here’s how to contact the DCS:
- In-Person: Visit your local Department of Community Services office
- Phone: 1-877-424-1177
Other provinces (such as British Columbia) have updated their online platform to make it easier for residents to apply for income assistance and receive payments.
Unfortunately, Nova Scotia doesn’t have a working online portal to handle welfare payments. This means you’ll either need to call the office or visit a branch office in person.
Step 2: Meet With A Caseworker
Assuming that your case is approved, you’ll be passed on to a caseworker. Your caseworker will interview you and determine your eligibility for benefits. During this process, you’ll be asked to provide supporting documents that show your financial need. This could include:
- Bills and late payment notices
- Bank statements
- Credit card statements
As long as you meet the basic income criteria, your case will be submitted for further examination and approval.
Step 3: Wait For Approval
Most Nova Scotia social assistance applicants receive a verdict within one week. If you’re approved, then your caseworker will explain how much you’re eligible to receive. Then, they’ll help you identify other supplements that you may be eligible for, such as healthcare, pharmacare, and others.
Step 4: Begin Receiving Payments
Once you’re approved for income assistance, you should receive your first payment on schedule. Periodically, your caseworker may check up on you to verify your continued eligibility for the program.
Can I Make An Appeal If I’m Denied?
Some applicants may receive bad news, explaining that their application was denied. Typically, this will come in the mail along with a detailed letter explaining why the applicant was denied. Can you re-apply for income assistance if your initial application was turned down?
If you believe that your application was wrongfully denied, then you’ll be able to make an appeal. The appeal must be made within 30 days of receiving the denial letter.
Once your appeal is received, you’ll be able to attend an appeal hearing where you’ll be able to present stronger evidence for your case.
Emergency Payments
Additional emergency payments can be provided in certain situations to people who are already receiving social assistance.
Emergency assistance may be provided in cases where immediate action is required to safeguard the health and safety of the individual or family. Some examples of emergencies that may be covered include:
- Emergency home repairs necessary to the health and safety of residents
- Crisis intervention, including but not limited to, situations of homelessness or family violence
Can I Work If I’m Receiving Nova Scotia Social Assistance?
Many income assistance recipients believe that working could hurt their situation by reducing or eliminating their welfare cheques. Thankfully, this isn’t true. In fact, income assistance recipients are actually encouraged to work.
If you’re just working a part-time job, then your social assistance payments likely won’t be affected. That being said, once you find steady, full-time employment, your case may be reassessed, and your payment amount may be adjusted to reflect your new income.
How Will Going To School Affect My Nova Scotia Social Assistance?
Typically, income assistance isn’t available to full-time students. However, there are some exceptions made for certain individuals, including:
- Students attending a post-secondary program that’s less than two years long
- Students attending a post-secondary program that’s more than two years, provided they’re enrolled in the Career Seek program
- You’re in grade 12 (secondary school) and plan on attending a post-secondary program
- You’re enrolled in job training programs while you’re a student
These decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, though, and are determined by your caseworker.
Conclusion – When Are Nova Scotia Income Assistance Payments?
Nova Scotia income assistance payments are issued on the last three business days of each month and are designed to provide financial assistance for the following month.
As long as you’re enrolled in direct deposit, you should receive your funds instantly. However, account for a few extra days if you’ve requested mailed cheques.
Are you looking to start earning some extra money on the side? The internet is full of employment opportunities, many of which pay far more than the lower-paying jobs you’ll find in your local town.
Keep on reading to see my list of the highest-paying freelance jobs in Canada next!
