Working while on Income Assistance

You can work while you are receiving Income Assistance (IA). In fact, you will receive more money from us the more that you work.

The more money you make, the more money you will take home.

How does this work? Our Income Estimator shows how much you will take home if you work while on Income Assistance:
https://novascotia.ca/apps/dcs-estimator/

The benefits of working and being involved in the community are huge. To help with the transition into working (or working more), we offer lower Income Assistance reductions as you earn more.

If for example, you receive $700 in Income Assistance per month, and you earned:

  • $350 in wages: you will take home $1,050 in total.
  • $500 in wages: you will take home $1,162.50 in total.
  • $750 in wages: you will take home $1,287.50 in total.
  • $1,000 in wages: you will take home $1,350.00 in total.

How it works:

Regular Employment

Net Monthly Earnings

  Amount exempted (not considered in the calculation of your IA)

$0 - $350

100%

$350 - $500

$350
PLUS 75% of any money earned over $350

$500 - $750

$462.50
PLUS 50% of any money earned over $500

Over $750

$587.50
PLUS 25% of any money earned over $750

Supported Employment

Supported Employment involves a person whose physical, mental or cognitive abilities prevent them from working on their own without ongoing support.


Net Monthly Earnings

Amount exempted (not considered in the calculation of your IA)

$0 - $450

100%

$450 - $500

$450
PLUS 75% of any money earned over $450

$500 - $750

$487.50
PLUS 50% of any money earned over $500

Over $750

$612.50
PLUS 25% of any money earned over $750

If you are not sure which type of employment applies to you, contact your caseworker or call 1-877-424-1177.

Training Allowances

When you receive Income Assistance and take part in an employment-related training program that provides an allowance, you will keep the first $350 per month of that allowance in your assistance. Your caseworker can help with any employment-related special needs assistance you need to participate in the training program.

Learn more about training and employment supports.

To do

  • Let your caseworker know if you get a new job or become self-employed.
  • Report your net monthly earnings on your income statement and submit it by the deadline each month.

We can help

  • We can help you get a job if you don't have one.
  • You can keep receiving your Income Assistance while you start working or increase your work hours.
  • To help with the transition into working (or working more), we offer lower Income Assistance reductions as you earn more.
  • We can help with work-related needs like uniforms, transportation, childcare or related fees such as a driver's licence or criminal background check.
  • As long as you receive Income Assistance you will continue to receive pharmacare benefits.
  • You may still receive pharmacare benefits for up to 12 months if you stop being a client because of wages or other earned income.  You will need to confirm that your employer does not offer a drug plan.

Learn more

  • Try our online Employment Income Estimator to estimate how much money you will take home: novascotia.ca/apps/dcs-estimator.
  • Contact your caseworker or call or visit a Community Services Office. . Your caseworker can answer questions about your earnings and income assistance, and employment supports available.
  • If you are not an Income Assistance client, see information on how to apply.

Download a brochure you can print about working while on Income Assistance (PDF).