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Getting help with costs in your region

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If you are sick or having trouble finding a job, you may need help paying for food, rent or medicine. There are different programs that can help you with some of these costs. Income assistance, also sometimes called financial assistance or social assistance, is for people who need help paying for these basic needs. If you apply for income assistance, you may want to talk to your case worker about your health and money concerns so they can get you the most help possible.

 
Programs in New Brunswick

Social Assistance

In New Brunswick, you can apply for Social Assistance if you do not have enough money to pay for basic necessities such as food, clothing and rent. The amount of money you can get every month depends on things like the size of your family, whether or not you can work and how much money you make. If your application is approved, you may be able to also get help paying for prescription drugs for you and your family and for other health-care costs. To apply, you can contact your local Social Development office or call 1-866-444-8838.

If you need help finding a job, you can ask about Employment Assistance Services (EAS) to see if there is a program that might help you get the training you need to find work.

If you have a disability, you may also be able to get help from the Disability Support Program (DSP). You can discuss your health condition with your case worker when you’re applying for Social Assistance. The Disability Support Program won’t give you money but it does provide services to people with disabilities who need extra support in their day-to-day lives. These services include things like a home support worker or personal living skills training to help you stay in your home. Your chronic hepatitis C symptoms may or may not be considered a disability by the DSP.

If your application for Social Assistance is turned down or you think that the amount of your monthly cheque is wrong, you have the right to challenge the decision by making an appeal. An appeal can be made by asking an employee of the Department of Social Development for a Request for Review Form.

 
Programs in Canada

Canada Pension Plan (CPP)

If you’ve worked before in Canada, your employer probably made deductions on your paycheque for Employment Insurance (EI) and CPP. When you retire (usually when you’re 65) you can collect CPP but CPP also has a disability program for people who can’t work because they’re sick.

Programs in Canada

Canada Pension Plan (CPP)

If you've worked before in Canada, your employer probably made deductions on your paycheque for Employment Insurance (EI) and CPP. When you retire (usually when you're 65) you can collect CPP but CPP also has a disability program for people who can't work because they're sick. Click here for more information on how to apply for CPP Disability and remember you have the right to appeal if they say you don't qualify.

Employment Insurance (EI)

EI is a program for people who have stopped working because they were laid off (EI Regular Benefits), had a baby (EI Maternity and Parental Benefits) or are too sick to work (EI Sick Benefits). EI payments cover a shorter period of time and it's for people who have had a job in the last year or so.

Jobs with Benefits

Some jobs come with sick pay or disability benefits that can pay you if you have to stop working. You can ask your Human Resources (HR) department what coverage you have at work. You can also ask about Employment Assistance Programs (EAPs) which help people with short-term counselling or referrals.

Published 2010.