Province to Provide Fuel Assistance

SERVICE N.S./MUNICIPAL RELATIONS--Province to Provide Fuel Assistance

The provincial government is stepping in to help low-income Nova Scotians deal with the high price of home heating fuel again this winter. Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, announced the Low Income Fuel Assistance Program today.

"We had hoped that the federal heating oil relief program would be up and running by now," said Mr. MacIsaac. "But we've had cold weather and Nova Scotians need help immediately. This is just a partial solution while we wait for the federal program to kick in."

The provincial Low Income Fuel Assistance Program will provide $50 to families with a net income of $16,500 or less, single people earning $9,500 or less and seniors who receive the guaranteed income supplement or spouse's allowance.

Applications will be available at all Access Nova Scotia Centres, Registry of Motor Vehicles locations and Community Services offices by the end of the month. They will be processed within two weeks provided all information is included. The deadline for applications is Jan. 31, 2001.

"It's important that Nova Scotians who qualify receive help as quickly as possible. We know $50 is not going to have a significant impact this winter, but it will provide some immediate assistance until the federal program is available sometime in the new year," said the minister.

In November, the federal government announced it would provide $125 to individuals and $250 to families to help to offset rising fuel prices. The province has been encouraging Ottawa to initiate this program quickly so Nova Scotians can get the assistance when they need it most.

The provincial program will provide assistance over and above the federal rebate. This means combined federal and provincial assistance of $175 for qualifying individuals and $300 for families.

To help Nova Scotians deal with the high price of home heating fuel in the long term, the province will also be providing easy access to information on improving home energy efficiency.

"High home heating fuel costs may be with us for a while. The best way for us to reduce our heating bills is to use less fuel by making small changes that can have a significant impact on our heating bills. We plan on making information readily available to anyone with questions on how to be more energy efficient," said Mr. MacIsaac.

The province will partner with Clean Nova Scotia to operate a toll-free number and provide expert home energy efficiency advice. That program is expected to get under way in early January.

For more information on the Low Income Fuel Assistance Program, call toll-free 1-800-670-4357 or in Halifax Regional Municipality 902-424-5200.