Benefits & Money — Places For Me

NS Income Assistance — monthly support

Monthly financial support for people who cannot fully support themselves. Covers a basic needs allowance plus a shelter allowance.

Current amounts

Shelter allowance: $535/month (single), $714/month (couple), $950/month (family — varies by size)
Basic needs allowance: approximately $275/month for a single person

Who qualifies

NS resident, age 19+
Limited income and assets
Not in full-time school

How to apply

Online: novascotia.ca/income-assistance
In person: any Access NS or Community Services office
By phone: 902-424-5200
No fixed address required — use a shelter address. You will be assigned a caseworker.

What to bring

Government ID (see ID & Docs if you need help)
SIN
Proof of NS residence (a shelter letter counts)
Bank account information (required for direct deposit — see Section 5 for opening one)
Any income information

Processing: typically 2–4 weeks for first payment. Emergency advances are available while you wait — ask your caseworker explicitly on your first visit.

Already on income assistance and in a crisis? Ask your caseworker about Special Assistance — one-time emergency payments for specific needs.

NS Disability Support Program (NSDSP)

For people with significant and long-term disabilities — higher support than regular income assistance.
Covers income support + help with disability-related costs + housing support.
Apply through Community Services: 902-424-5200.
You need documentation of your disability — a doctor or specialist can provide this.
If you’re currently on income assistance and have a disability, ask your caseworker about transitioning to NSDSP — the supports are significantly better.
Processing takes longer — apply as early as possible.

Federal benefits — money from the Government of Canada

GST / HST Credit

Up to $519/year for a single person

Quarterly tax-free payments for low-income people. You get this automatically if you file your taxes — even if you have zero income. No income = still file = still get the credit.

File for free at any tax clinic — see Section 6 below.

Canada Workers Benefit (CWB)

Up to $1,428/year for single workers

For people who work but earn low income. Apply through your tax return.

Advance payments available — canada.ca/cwb-advance.

Canada Child Benefit (CCB)

Tax-free monthly — varies

For parents with children under 18. Amount depends on income and number of children.

Apply at canada.ca/child-benefit or through Service Canada. No fixed address required — use a shelter address.

Old Age Security (OAS) + Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)

Up to $700/mo OAS + up to $1,065/mo GIS

For people 65 and older. GIS is additional support for low-income seniors on top of OAS.

Many seniors who qualify for GIS don’t apply. If you are 65+ and low income, apply immediately.

Apply: Service Canada 1-800-277-9914 or any Service Canada location. No fixed address required.

Employment Insurance (EI)

If you recently lost a job (laid off, not quit). Apply within 4 weeks of losing work.

Apply at canada.ca/ei or Service Canada 1-800-206-7218.

Requires: SIN + ROE from last employer + bank account for direct deposit.

CPP Disability

If you have a severe and prolonged disability that prevents any work, and you contributed to CPP in previous years.

Apply: Service Canada 1-800-277-9914. Processing 4–6 months — apply as early as possible.

If denied, you can appeal — Legal Aid NS can help: 1-800-665-9779.

Emergency financial help — right now

NS Special Assistance

902-424-5200

One-time emergency payments through Community Services for specific urgent needs (replacing essential appliances, emergency clothing, specific medical costs). Not widely advertised but it exists. Ask your caseworker explicitly — or call the number above if you don’t have one.

NS Emergency Fuel Assistance

902-424-5200 novascotia.ca/dma/fuelassist.asp

Help with heating costs for low-income households. Available annually — apply in fall.

Salvation Army Emergency Assistance

Halifax Centre of Hope: 2044 Gottingen St902-422-2363

One-time emergency financial help — no application form, walk in and explain your situation. Available province-wide at Salvation Army locations — call ahead.

St. Vincent de Paul Emergency Assistance

svdpns.caor call 2-1-1 for nearest conference

Emergency grocery certificates, utility bill help, clothing.

NS Rent Bank — eviction prevention

ahans.ca 902-423-4948

Through AHANS. Must apply before an eviction order is issued — call immediately if you’re behind on rent.

Open a bank account without a permanent address

You need a bank account to receive almost every government benefit by direct deposit. You can open one without a fixed address in NS.

RBC: has a program for people without fixed addresses — visit any branch and ask specifically for the basic banking account. A shelter letter is accepted as address proof.
TD Bank: similar program — ask for the TD Every Day Chequing Account for low income.
Coastal Financial Credit Union: community-focused, flexible on ID requirements.
Tell the bank you are experiencing homelessness — they have seen this before and most branches have a process.
Bring: any government ID + SIN + shelter confirmation letter.

If you’re refused: contact the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada. Banks are required by law to open a basic account for any Canadian resident — refusing without a valid reason can be challenged.

File your taxes even with zero income

This is one of the most important things on this page.

Filing taxes with no income unlocks

GST/HST credit (quarterly cash payments)
Canada Child Benefit if you have children
Any provincial benefits tied to tax filing
A tax record that makes future benefit applications easier

You do not need to earn money to file. You do not need to pay anything to file. You will not owe money if you have no income.

Free tax filing help in NS

Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP): free tax clinics across NS every spring. Find your nearest at canada.ca/free-tax-help.
Brunswick Street Mission: tax clinic available seasonally — call to confirm 902-423-4605.
Halifax Public Libraries host free tax clinics — halifaxpubliclibraries.ca for schedule.
Dalhousie Legal Aid: 2209 Gottingen St — 902-423-8105.
File online free: canada.ca/free-tax-filing — several certified free filing options.
Use a shelter address on your tax return — this is accepted by CRA.

Help with debt — free in NS

Credit Counselling Services of Atlantic Canada

99 Wyse Rd, Suite 950 (Metropolitan Place), Dartmouth1-888-753-2227 solveyourdebts.com

Free non-profit credit counselling. Helps with budgeting, debt repayment plans, negotiating with creditors, bankruptcy alternatives. By appointment only — no walk-ins.

Consumer proposal vs bankruptcy — in plain language

Consumer proposal: you offer creditors a percentage of what you owe — legally binding, stops collections, keeps more assets than bankruptcy. Requires a Licensed Insolvency Trustee.
Bankruptcy: last resort — clears most debts but has longer credit impact.
Both are legitimate tools. Not failure.

Licensed Insolvency Trustees in NS

Many offer free first consultations — call 2-1-1 for referrals.

Legal Aid NS for debt issues

1-800-665-9779 — free legal advice on debt, garnishments, creditor harassment.

Aggressive collection calls? In NS, collection agencies must follow the Collection Agencies Act — they cannot call before 8am or after 9pm, and cannot contact your employer without permission. File a complaint with NS Consumer Affairs at 902-424-5200.

Frequently asked

I have no ID and no address. Can I still get income assistance?

Yes — start by calling 902-424-5200 and explaining your situation. They will tell you what they need and work with you. A shelter letter counts as proof of NS residence. See the ID & Docs page for help getting government ID — your caseworker can sometimes help accelerate this.

I’ve never filed taxes. Is it too late?

No. CRA accepts late tax returns for up to 10 years back. Filing late returns can unlock years of back-payments for GST credits and other benefits. Go to a free tax clinic and tell them you have several years to file — they handle this regularly.

I’m working cash-in-hand. Can I still get income assistance?

You must report all income to Community Services — including cash income. Income assistance is reduced based on earnings but you may still qualify for a top-up. Not reporting income is fraud and can result in repayment demands. Be honest with your caseworker — they can explain exactly how your earnings affect your payment.

Someone told me I make too much for income assistance. Should I still apply?

Apply anyway and let Community Services determine eligibility — income limits are often misunderstood. You may qualify for partial support or for specific programs even if not full income assistance. The application is free and there is no penalty for applying and being denied.

Can income assistance be taken away if I save money?

NS Income Assistance has asset limits — if you save above a certain amount your payments may be reduced or stopped. Ask your caseworker about the current asset limit and any exemptions (saving for housing is sometimes treated differently). This is a real barrier — knowing the rules helps you plan around them.

I’m from another country. Can I access these benefits?

It depends on your immigration status:

Permanent residents and refugees: generally qualify for most benefits.
Work / study permit holders: limited eligibility — call 2-1-1 or ISANS (902-423-3607) for advice specific to your situation.
Refugee claimants: some benefits available — Legal Aid NS can advise: 1-800-665-9779.
Undocumented: very limited formal support — call 2-1-1 for what exists informally.