News release

Heating Assistance Cheques On Their Way

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations (Oct. 2000 - March 2014)

SERVICE N.S./MUNICIPAL RELATIONS--Heating Assistance Cheques On Their Way


The first fuel assistance cheques under the province's Keep the Heat Program will arrive in mailboxes this week, Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Minister Barry Barnet said today, Dec. 12.

Cheques of up to $200 are being distributed as part of the program to help low-income Nova Scotians with their heating oil or propane costs this winter. Not all applicants will receive cheques immediately. It may take up to four weeks for some people to receive their cheques.

"Oil and propane costs have increased more than 30 per cent in the past three months," said Mr. Barnet. "We've developed this program to help the most needy in our society to deal with these increased costs and stay warm this winter."

Eligible applicants will also receive a coupon for a furnace tune-up with their cheques. The coupon has a value of $80.50 (including HST) and is intended for a furnace tune-up by a qualified furnace technician. People who receive the voucher are asked to contact their preferred furnace oil or propane dealer to determine whether the dealer will accept the coupon. To date, Sears (partnering with Esso Home Heat), Irving Oil, Emera Fuels and Superior Propane have agreed to provide the service in exchange for the voucher. The cut-off date for completion of this service is May 31, 2005.

To further help low-income Nova Scotians reduce their heating oil costs this winter, Esso Home Heat and Superior Propane have agreed to offer discounts to Keep the Heat program participants. Esso Home Heat is offering a two cent per litre discount on its regular posted price for furnace fuel oil. Superior Propane is offering a discount of two cents per litre on the cost of propane used for heating purposes only. To receive these discounts, applicants are asked to contact their local Esso or Superior Propane representatives.

"I'd like to encourage all other oil and propane suppliers and furnace burner technicians to participate in this part of the program," said Mr. Barnet. "It's not too late to participate. Any interested companies should contact the department's toll- free line to partner with the province on the program."

Individuals who qualify for the Keep the Heat program are also eligible to receive an energy savings kit. The kits will contain several easy-to-install items that will reduce home energy costs. This is a pilot project and the number of kits is limited. Draws for the kits will be made in January, February and March of 2005. The kits will be mailed to applicants if their name is drawn.

To help all Nova Scotians with heating costs this winter, the province has set up a toll-free information line for tips and answers to questions about energy conservation. To take advantage of this service, the public can call 1-800-670-4636 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.

Applications for the Keep the Heat program can be obtained by calling 424-5200 in the Halifax area, or toll-free 1-800-670- 4357. The form is also available on the Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations website at: http://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr . The deadline for rebate applications is March 31, 2005.