After you apply – approved or denied

Congratulations! You have been approved for Income Assistance. You will now receive financial support.

The amount you receive each month will depend on how many members are in your household as well as your living arrangement. This is called the Standard Household Rate. For a single person without dependents you will receive:

• $380 if you do not board, rent, or own a place to live
• $608 if you board
• $686 if you rent or own your apartment or house

As a person with a disability, you may also qualify for the Standard Household Rate – Enhanced. If you qualify, you could receive up to $950 per month.

How to Receive Income Assistance

Typically, you will receive your monthly financial assistance three working days before the end of the month.

Your Income Assistance can be delivered two ways:

• Deposited directly in your bank account. This option is called a direct deposit. If this is the option you choose, your Care Coordinator will help you make the arrangements.
• A mailed cheque. If you choose this option, a cheque in the amount of your monthly financial assistance will be mailed to you. If you move, you must tell your caseworker to change the address your Income Assistance is sent to.

Disability Support Plan

As a person with a disability, you may also be eligible to receive supports through a Disability Support Plan. The amount of hours of support services you receive funding for will depend on your unique circumstances and your needs. For example, the Independent Living Support (ILS) Program aims to promote independence and social inclusion by incorporating the strengths of the participant, their personal and community resources, and the support receiving from Service Providers. The Flex Individualized Funding Program aims to supplement the natural supports a person receives from their family or personal support network. Neither of these programs is intended to provide support 24/7.

You will work with your Care Coordinator to determine the best option for you.

Other supplemental benefits you may receive

You may be eligible for funds to cover the cost of special needs. Special needs that may be covered include:

• Ambulance Costs
• Arrears
  • Mortgage Payments or Rent
  • Property Tax
  • Utility
• Car Seats and Booster Seats
• Child Care
• Emergency Dental Care - to get assistance for emergency dental care
• Emergency Heat
• Employment Supports
• Extermination Services
• Fire/Liability Insurance for Homeowners
• Food, Shelter and/or Transportation for Medical Attention
• Foot Care
• Funeral and Burial
• Furniture
• Guide/Service Dogs
• Hearing Aids
• House Repairs
• Maternal Nutritional Allowance
• Medical Equipment
• Medical – Essential Treatments
• Medical Supplies
• Moving Expenses – Within Region
• Optical Care
• Orthotics
• Over the Counter Non-Prescription Medications
• Personal Development – Employment Plan Activities
• Pharmacare
• Prescription Drug Coverage
• Relocation – Out of Region/Province
• Residential Respite
• School Supplies Supplement
• Security/Damage Deposits
• Special Diet
• Telephone for Health and Safety Reasons
• Transportation

To request special needs assistance, you can contact your caseworker or the toll-free number at 1-877-424-1177.

To Keep Your Information Up-to-Date and Avoid Overpayments

To ensure you receive the appropriate support, you must report any changes that could impact your eligibility to your caseworker. This includes changes in your:

• Financial situation
• Medical condition
• Family arrangement
• Address

If you do not report changes that impact the amount you receive through Income Assistance, you could receive more financial support than you are eligible to receive. This is called an overpayment. You will be responsible for repaying any additional funding you receive in an overpayment.

If your application is denied, you can request an appeal. The first step in the appeal process is to request a decision review. The second step is an appeal hearing.

Decision Reviews

To start this process, you must request a decision review within 30 days of the date on the letter you received about the decision made. This will include:

• The decision you disagree with
• Why you disagree with the decision
• If you have any additional information about the decision
• Your name, address, phone number, date of birth, and signature
• Your case number and the name of your caseworker

You can provide this information by writing a letter or by filling out the form that can be found at the end of the Guide to Addressing Decisions Under the Employment Support and Income Assistance (ESIA) and Disability Support Program (DSP). Once it is complete, you can drop off your letter or form to your local office, mail it to the address included in the original decision letter that was sent to you, or email a copy to DecisionReview@novascotia.ca.

The Decision Review Services worker will review the information you provided and determine if the decision should be changed. You will be informed of the results of the decision review within 10 business days of the day your request was received. If you still disagree with the decision made at this step, you can request an appeal hearing.

To request an appeal hearing, you will need to check the box that says, “Yes, I want an appeal hearing” at the bottom of the letter for the decision review. You will then need to sign the letter and email, mail, or deliver a copy to your local office.

Appeal Hearings

The second step in the process is the appeal hearing. You have 10 business days after you get the decision review letter to ask for an appeal hearing. Once you submit your request for an appeal hearing, the appeal hearing will be scheduled within 45 days. You will be informed of the date and time of the appeal hearing in a letter from the Assistance Appeals Unit. You can bring any information or documents you think could help explain your reasoning. You can also bring someone to assist you throughout the process. If you will have a lawyer with you, you will need to inform the Assistance Appeals Unit.

During the appeal hearing, you will have the opportunity to explain why you think the decision is incorrect and why it should be changed. The department will also provide their reasons for their decision. The board members will review the request and all information including any new information you can provide.

You will receive the decision made based on the appeal hearing within seven business days. If you still do not agree with the outcome, you may be able to go to the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. In this case, you will be arguing there was an error in law made and it is recommended you have a lawyer assist you.

Choosing the best option if you are denied

Here are some common reasons that people are denied with advice on the next step to take: