Support for School Supplies for Families on Income Assistance
Scott Armstrong, Minister of Opportunities and Social Development (left), and Brendan Maguire, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, pick out school supplies for families on income assistance at the Staples store on Gottingen Street in Halifax. (Province of Nova Scotia)
NOTE: More photos of Minister Armstrong and Minister Maguire are at: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/08/26/helping-families-income-assistance-back-school-costs
Families receiving income assistance will receive an increase to their August payments annually to help with back-to-school costs.
Last year, the Province announced a one-time increase to the benefit to help income assistance recipients offset some of the costs associated with back to school. That increase is now being made permanent.
“When children are better prepared for school, they have a stronger chance of succeeding academically,” said Scott Armstrong, Minister of Opportunities and Social Development. “This permanent support helps ease some of the financial pressure income assistance clients face and gives kids a better chance to thrive.”
Amounts for those eligible include:
- $100 for each individual child aged five to 12
- $200 for each individual child aged 13 to18.
Dependent children attending pre-primary who turn four by December 31 and dependent youth aged 19-20 who are attending high school may also be eligible.
Supports are also available for families receiving income assistance to support older children and adults with costs of post-secondary education or employment-focused opportunities through programs such as Educate to Work and the Youth Development Initiative.
Income assistance recipients and their dependants may also be eligible for other career and educational programs, including EDGE, Skills2SucSEED, and Career Rising.
Quick Facts:
- the Province is investing $331,000 in this increased payment
- income assistance recipients and their dependants should contact their case worker for eligibility requirements, or if they have questions about programs to support their career and educational goals
Additional Resources:
Nova Scotia’s income assistance program: https://www.novascotia.ca/coms/employment/income_assistance/index.html