New Child Benefit for Low-income Families

More than 30,000 low-income families got extra help from the government of Nova Scotia this week with the first instalment of the new Nova Scotia Child Benefit.

The benefit, a key Nova Scotian component of the National Child Benefit program, is a cash payment for each child under 18. It is available to all Nova Scotian families with yearly incomes below $16,000, including those receiving welfare.

"Nova Scotians know how hard it is to cover the costs of raising a family, even with much higher incomes," said Francene Cosman, Minister of Community Services. "So they can appreciate that children living in low-income situations need some special support."

Through an agreement between Revenue Canada and the Department of Community Services, the Nova Scotia Child Benefit is delivered as a combined payment with the Canada Child Tax Benefit. The Canada Child Tax Benefit/Nova Scotia Child Benefit payment arrives around the 20th of each month, either by mail or direct deposit.

Eligible families receive annual Nova Scotia Child Benefit payments of $250 for one child, $418 for two children, and $554 for three children. Each additional child receives an extra $136.

This month's Nova Scotia Child Benefit payment includes entitlements for July, August, September and October. A family of one received $83.32, a family of two, $139.32, and a family of three, $184.64. Subsequent payments will be for one month only.

The Nova Scotia Child Benefit adds to the amounts provided by the government of Canada under the Canada Child Tax Benefit. As of July, the federal government augmented the program with the National Child Benefit Supplement, which helps low-income families cover the costs of entering and staying in the workforce.

The Nova Scotia Child Benefit, expected to cost about $13 million a year, is one of the two components of Nova Scotia's reinvestment fund under the National Child Benefit program. Another $2.2 million will go to parenting education and support programs and services, known as the Healthy Child Development Initiatives.

The National Child Benefit program is designed to make it easier for families to make the transition from welfare to work and to prevent families from having to rely on welfare.

The Nova Scotia Child Benefit, a collaborative effort of Community Services and Revenue Canada, is also a good example of reducing duplication in government administration, one of the other goals of the National Child Benefit.

An estimated 30,534 families received the Nova Scotia Child Benefit payments this week. Revenue Canada has a toll-free information line available for recipients. The number is 1-800-387-1193, or 1-800-387-1194 for service in French.