Apply for a heating assistance rebate: Heating Assistance Rebate Program

Eligibility

To qualify for the rebate, you need to pay for your own home (residential) heat and meet 1 of the following criteria:

• have a 2023 net income of $55,000 or less and live alone with no kids or dependents
• have a combined 2023 net household income of $75,000 or less and live with kids, dependents or other adults
• receive Income Assistance from the Department of Community Services
• receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or the Allowance from Service Canada

If your personal or financial situation has changed since last year, you still may qualify. Examples of changes include becoming widowed, getting divorced or legally separated, losing your job, turning 18, recently arriving in Canada, or having the custody of your children change. Contact the Department of Service Nova Scotia to find out if you qualify.

You need to apply by 31 March 2025.

How to apply

1. Apply online for the rebate.
2. Check the application for details on all required supporting documents.
3. Submit your completed application and any supporting documents.
4. Check your application status online (if you apply online).

How long it takes

It should take 8 to 10 weeks to get your rebate. It can take longer if more information is needed or if your application hasn’t been filled in correctly. If more information is required to process your rebate, we may contact you by email.

If your income tax refund is direct deposited, your heating assistance rebate is too. If not, your rebate is mailed to you.

Cost

There is no cost to apply for the rebate.

Before you start

Make sure you have:

• all adults on the application available to sign the form
• social insurance numbers and dates of birth of all adults in your home

You may need to provide additional supporting documents including:

• 2023 Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment for you and any other adults in your home
• proof of change in marital status
• Canada Child Benefit Form
• citizenship application
• GST/HST payment information form

The Heating Assistance Rebate Program may ask you to provide a heating bill or receipt for oil, electricity, natural gas, wood, wood pellets, coal or other heating source. If the program asks you to provide a heating bill or receipt, your application can’t be processed until the information is provided.

Heating bills and receipts need to include:

• your name and home address
• details of the home heating cost
• cost of the home heating
• name and address of the person or business providing the home heating

If electricity is your heating source, make sure that past electric use is included on the bill or receipt. For more information about past electric use, see how to read your power bill.

Apply online

When you apply online you need an email address. The Heating Assistance Rebate Program emails you if it needs more information to process your rebate. The program also emails you to let you know when your rebate is about to be direct deposited.

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