Province Indexing Income Assistance Rates

The Province is taking further action to support vulnerable Nova Scotians by indexing income assistance rates.

All income assistance streams will be indexed annually based on the consumer price index (CPI). In 2024-25, rates will be indexed by 2.5 per cent.

“These continue to be challenging times for Nova Scotians living on low incomes,” said Brendan Maguire, Minister of Community Services. “Indexing IA rates will result in more predictability for our clients and is another action being taken by government to help vulnerable Nova Scotians find success.”

Indexing of income assistance rates will be implemented on July 1, with retroactive payments to April 1.

Quick Facts:

• indexing income assistance rates to CPI for 2024-25 is an investment of $7 million
• the assistance streams include the essentials rate and the enhanced rate for people on income assistance who live with a disability or a chronic mental, cognitive or physical condition
• as of February 1, there were 23,665 income assistance recipients