Apply for a heating assistance rebate: Heating Assistance Rebate Program
The Heating Assistance Rebate Program helps low-income Nova Scotians with the cost of home heating. Rebates range from $100 to $200. You can apply until 31 March 2021.
Apply to the Heating Assistance Rebate Program for help with the cost of home heating. You can receive up to $200 if you qualify for the Heating Assistance Rebate Program.
Rebate amount
Your rebate amount is based on your 2019 net income, as reported to Canada Revenue Agency.
| Household income if you live alone | Household income if you live with kids, dependents, or other adults | Rebate |
|---|---|---|
| Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), the Allowance or Income Assistance | Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), the Allowance or Income Assistance | $200 |
| $27,000 or less | $42,000 or less | $200 |
| $27,001 - $27,500 | $42,001 - $42,500 | $175 |
| $27,501 - $28,000 | $42,501 - $43,000 | $150 |
| $28,001 - $28,500 | $43,001 - $43,500 | $125 |
| $28,501 - $29,000 | $43,501 - $44,000 | $100 |
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 net income of $29,000 or less and live alone with no kids or dependents
- have a combined net income of $44,000 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 2021.
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).
- If your income tax refund is direct deposited, your heating assistance rebate is too. If not, your rebate is mailed to you.
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.
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:
- 2019 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. You need to complete a Landlord Declaration Form if you rent, pay for your own electric heat and don’t have a heating bill or receipt.
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 220 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. If you’d like to receive a paper application by mail, contact us.