Rebates Under Direct Assistance Plan

Nova Scotians who feel they may qualify for a rebate under the Direct Assistance Program are urged to apply. Over the past three weeks, 1998 applications were mailed to last year's recipients of the program.

"Anyone who has moved since last receiving the cash rebate, or feels he or she is now eligible for it, is encouraged to apply," Keith Colwell, Minister of Business and Consumer Services, said today. "Recipients of a 1997 rebate should have received an application in the mail. If not, they should call us and we'll get one to them. Also, anyone who wasn't eligible in 1997, but may now be eligible, should request an application."

The Direct Assistance Program provides for a payment of $125 to eligible families with a net annual income of $16,500 or less in 1997. Eligible individuals who earned a net income of $9,500 or less can receive $90. When seniors are calculating their net income, the Guaranteed Income Supplement is not included, thereby making more seniors eligible for the rebate.

The program is designed for low-income families and individuals who did not receive other assistance from the province. As such, the following are not eligible for the Direct Assistance Program: persons who received social assistance for more than three months in 1997, students enrolled in a post-secondary institution for four months or more in 1997, and persons supported by the province in long-term care facilities. Applicants must be at least 19 years old.

Anyone who feels they may be eligible for the program may obtain an application at an Access Nova Scotia office, or by calling 1-800-787-0889. Applicants will need to provide a copy of their 1997 Income Tax Assessment Form. This is the form sent by Revenue Canada after an individual's income tax return is processed.

The Direct Assistance Program was announced in the 1997 budget to assist working and retired individuals and families whose incomes were so low that they would not directly benefit from the July 1997 cut in the provincial income tax rate.