Apply for a heating assistance rebate: Heating Assistance Rebate Program
The Heating Assistance Rebate Program helps low-and moderate-income Nova Scotians with the cost of home heating. Rebates are $1,000 for each household. You can apply until 31 March 2023.
Apply to the Heating Assistance Rebate Program for help with the cost of home heating.
Rebate amount
You can receive $1,000 (instead of $100 to $200) if you qualify for the Heating Assistance Rebate Program. You don’t need to apply for the rebate again if you already applied. All previous applications are reprocessed automatically.
If you already received a rebate of $100 to $200, the additional amount is processed automatically. If your application was previously denied based on your household income the rebate is processed automatically if you have a household income of $85,000 or less.
Seniors Care Grant
In addition to the Heating Assistance Rebate Program, when you apply for the Seniors Care Grant, you can also apply for a one-time Home Heating Grant of $250. The Home Heating Grant helps with the cost of heating (like furnace oil, natural gas, propane, firewood, wood pellets and electricity).
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 2021 net income of $85,000 or less and live alone with no kids or dependents
- have a combined 2021 net household income of $85,000 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 and Internal Services to find out if you qualify.
You need to apply by 31 March 2023.
How to apply
- Apply online for the rebate.
- Check the application for details on all required supporting documents.
- Submit your completed application and any supporting documents.
- Check your application status online (if you apply online).
How long it takes
It should take 8 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:
- 2021 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 contact you and ask you to provide a heating bill or receipt for oil, electricity, natural gas, wood, wood pellets, coal or other heating source.
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.
You can use the Heating Assistance Rebate Application Form (PDF 249 kB) if you’re unable to apply online. Send your completed application (both sides of the application) and any supporting documents by mail or fax (application needs to be postmarked no later than 31 March 2023). If you’d like to receive a paper application by mail, contact us.