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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 Nova Scotia

 Income Assistance (IA)

In Nova Scotia, you can apply for Income Assistance (IA) if you need help paying for basic needs such as food, rent, clothing and medicine. The amount of money you can get every month depends on things like how much money you make and the size of your family. If your application for Income Assistance is approved, you will get a cheque every month to help pay for these basic costs. A government program called Pharmacare will pay for your prescription drugs. Income Assistance can also help pay for special needs, such as transportation, child care and emergency shelter. You can contact your local Community Services Office to apply or call 1-877-424-1177 for more information. 

If your application for Income 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. You can visit the appeals webpage or talk to a supervisor at your Community Services Office to make an appeal.

Employment Support Services (ESS)

When you receive Income Assistance, you can get extra help with education, training and finding a job through the Employment Support Services (ESS) program. You can contact your case worker or your local Community Services Office to find out more about ESS.

Services for Persons with Disabilities (SPD)

Nova Scotia has services to help people with disabilities. If you have a disability and you need help paying for things such as transportation to your medical appointments, special food or preparing for a job, you can talk to your case worker about your health condition to find out if you qualify for these services. Your chronic hepatitis C symptoms may or may not be considered a disability by the SPD program.

 
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.