News Release Archive

BUSINESS/CONSUMER SERVICES--DIRECT-ASSISTANCE CHEQUES MAILED
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The first cheques from the Direct Assistance Program were mailed
to recipients across Nova Scotia late this week, the minister of
business and consumer services, Sandy Jolly, said today.

The Direct Assistance Program is designed to help Nova Scotians
whose incomes do not enable them to benefit from the July 1
reduction in the provincial income tax rate. Individuals with a
net income $9,500 or less qualify for a $90 rebate; families with
a net income of $16,500 or less qualify for a $125 rebate.

"The improving financial condition of Nova Scotia means that we
can for the first time ever put money back into the pockets of
Nova Scotians through a tax cut," Ms. Jolly said. "But there are
thousands of working poor and senior citizens whose incomes are
so low that they pay no income tax. We want to ensure that as
many Nova Scotians as possible benefit from the tax reforms our
government is implementing."

Just over 1,500 cheques are, or will soon be, in the mail. Since
the program was announced, over 2,700 applications were approved
for payment.

Applications are available at Access Nova Scotia offices in
Bridgewater, Sydney, Truro, Kentville and Yarmouth, and at
Business and Consumer Services on the ninth floor of the Maritime
Centre in Halifax. Applications will be mailed by calling
1-800-787-0889.

Next year, applications will be included in Revenue Canada's
income tax packages.

To qualify, applicants must be within the income limits and not
have received social assistance for more than three months of the
previous year. Students who were enrolled in school for more than
four months of the previous year and persons supported by the
province in long-term care facilities are also ineligible.

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Contact: David MacNeil
         Business and Consumer Services
         902-424-2933

trp                   May 2, 1997 - 1:50 p.m.