What you receive on Income Assistance

If you qualify for Income Assistance, you will get assistance with you or your family’s basic needs and depending on your situation, you might get assistance with other expenses too.

On this page:

Basic Needs Assistance

Standard Household Rate

If you need help with your basic needs, you can get an allowance called a Standard Household Rate. The amount you get depends on the number of people in your family and your living situation.

The Standard Household Rate is for basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, fuel, utilities and personal items. You may also get help for any special needs you have. The amount you get is based on your situation.

There are three different types of Standard Household Rates. Learn more about them here:

  • Rent/Own or Board
  • Enhanced
  • Essentials

Rent/Own or Board

If you board, rent a place to live or own a home, you will get the Standard Household Rate – Rent/Own or Board as shown in the below table: 

Household Composition

Standard Household Rate (Monthly)

Recipient

Dependent Child/Student Family Member

Rent/Own

Board

1

0

$726

$644

1

1

$1,018

$664

1

2 or more

$1,072

$707

2

0

$1,419

$1,067

2

1 or more

$1,473

$1,110

Enhanced

If you are an eligible single recipient who rents a place to live or owns a home, and you either:

  • have a disability,
  • have a chronic mental, cognitive or physical condition that limits participation in employment services,
  • are age 55 or older,                        
  • are between the ages of 16 to 18 (inclusive), or
  • are fleeing an abusive situation,

You will get the Enhanced Standard Household Rate of $1,005 per month.

Essentials

If you do not:

  • board,
  • rent a place to live, or
  • own a home,

Are temporarily in a:

  • homeless shelter,
  • transition house,
  • hospital,
  • rehabilitation program, or
  • unsheltered or without a fixed address

You will get the Essentials Standard Household Rate of $403 per month. Each adult and/or dependent child aged 18 to 20 in the family will receive this rate.

Other basic needs support

You may be able to get more help for basic needs if:

  • you have dependents between the ages of 18 to 20 living with you
  • you or your family member has a physical disability or terminal illness and need help with barrier-free access to, from or within your home

For more information

If you have any questions, contact your caseworker or call an office in your area.

Special Needs Assistance

Special needs are things for your health and safety, and for work or training. The special needs assistance you may get is based on your personal situation.

  • if you receive Income Assistance already, contact your caseworker to request special needs assistance
  • if you do not already receive Income Assistance, see information on how to apply
  • if you are making a one-time request for a special need and do not require help with your basic needs, you can use the same process to apply

Income Assistance can help with many special needs. A full list can be found in the ESIA Policy Manual (PDF).

For more information

You can learn more about special needs assistance in the ESIA Policy Manual (PDF). You can also contact your caseworker or call an office in your area.

Prescription Drug Coverage (Pharmacare)

The Department of Opportunities and Social Development provides prescription drug coverage (Pharmacare) to people receiving Employment Support and Income Assistance (ESIA), including Transitional Pharmacare clients.

How to use Pharmacare benefits

To use Pharmacare benefits:

  • you must have a Nova Scotia Health Card
  • show your health card at the pharmacy
  • the pharmacist will check if the prescription is covered
  • only medications and supplies listed in the Nova Scotia Formulary are covered (in the approved amounts)

If your health card is expired or you need a new one, visit Nova Scotia Health Card webpage or call 1-800-563-8880.

Visit Nova Scotia Pharmacare for more information on Pharmacare benefits.

Low Income Pharmacare for Children (LIPC) is available for families who receive the Nova Scotia Child Benefit and are not on Income Assistance.

Costs

You pay $5 per prescription.

Some people qualify for a co-pay exemption (no fee). Contact your caseworker if you qualify. 

Next steps

If you have any questions, contact your caseworker to determine eligibility or call an office in your area.

If you are not an Income Assistance client, see information on how to apply.