News release

Increase to Income Assistance Effective July 1

Community Services

More than 36,000 Nova Scotians receiving income assistance will soon see larger payments as the 2.5 per cent increase announced in March takes effect.

“We know people are struggling to make ends meet right now and this increase helps put a little more money into the hands of those who need it most,” said Brendan Maguire, Minister of Community Services. “Our clients will see increased payments on their next cheque, and in the years to come, as income assistance is indexed annually based on the consumer price index.”

Employment support and income assistance recipients, including people receiving the Income Assistance Disability Supplement, will receive a 2.5 per cent increase to the standard household rate and dependent allowance starting July 1.

Disability Support Program participants who receive the standard household rate will also get the increase.

In early July, they will see a one-time retroactive payment to April 1, 2024. Disability supplement recipients will see a one-time payment retroactive to May 1. Recipients do not have to apply – payments will be automatically applied.

Starting January 1, 2025, all income assistance streams will be indexed annually based on the consumer price index (CPI).

There are about 40,380 people in Nova Scotia who receive income assistance, including those who receive the disability supplement and those in the Disability Support Program.

Quick Facts:

  • in April, income assistance recipients with a disability or serious medical condition received an additional $300 per month through a new funding stream designed to help with the added costs associated with living with a disability
  • the 2.5 per cent rate increase reflects an investment of $7 million for 2024
  • income assistance clients will see an increase of between $10 and $35 per cheque in 2024
  • about 3,300 of 5,600 Disability Support Program participants will receive the increase to the standard household rate for rent, groceries and other essentials

Additional Resources:

Information on who can receive income assistance: https://novascotia.ca/coms/employment/income_assistance/Eligibility.html

News release – Province Indexing Income Assistance Rates: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2024/03/27/province-indexing-income-assistance-rates

News release – More Support for Income Assistance Recipients with Disabilities, Work Underway on Human Rights Remedy: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2023/11/23/more-support-income-assistance-recipients-disabilities-work-underway-human-rights

News release – Income Assistance Changes Help Nova Scotians Connect to Workforce, Keep More Money: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2024/02/28/income-assistance-changes-help-nova-scotians-connect-workforce-keep-more-money

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