Money | Debt

The Government of Nova Scotia's Department of Community Service offers financial assistance to Nova Scotians and their families in need of temporary support. 

Though some people need income support on a long term basis, the system is designed to be a short-term help. Clients are provided with options and opportunities that are meant to reduce your reliance on income assistance. This is why your case will be reviewed frequently. You must participate in an Employment Support Services assessment to help you either find work, take job training, or go to school. Income Assistance can help with costs of training, school and employability.

Programs offered:

• Income Assistance

• Money for basic needs

• Pharmacare

• Emergency dental care

• Employment Support Services

• Job skills training

• Community Volunteer Income Tax Program

• Disability Support Program

• Child, Youth and Family Supports

• Disability Support Program

[How-to guide: applying for Income Assistance]

Disability Support Program

The Disability Support Program (DSP) serves children, youth and adults with intellectual disabilities, long-term mental illness and physical disabilities in a range of community-based, residential and vocational/day programs.

These are voluntary programs designed to support people at various stages of their development and independence.

There are different programs for different needs. Contact Community Services for more information on eligibility and application information.

Employment Insurance (EI) 

What it is: 

If you are trying to apply for Employment Insurance (EI) or other government assistance you can call for information on how to apply, to get an update on your claim’s status or to make changes to your claim.

Tips: 

👉 To avoid long holds times, the best times to call are early mornings between 8:30am and 9:30am, or mid-week. Mondays are the busiest day. Wait times for 1-800-O-CANADA are posted online and updated hourly. Wait times for EI Inquiries are posted daily.

👉 Instead of entering your SIN number, press 0 to skip to the holds line. It is not uncommon for calls to be dropped. If the hold music disappears, you should hang up and call back.

Seniors’ Pharmacare Program is for valid Nova Scotia Health Card holders (MSI), who are at least 65 years old, and do not have prescription drug coverage under any other plan or programs. 

To be eligible, you must:

• live in Nova Scotia

• have a valid Nova Scotia Health Card

• be 65 years old

[Download the application form [PDF]]

[Download the Seniors' Pharmacare Program Guidebook [PDF]]

Boarding, Transportation, and Ostomy Program for Cancer Patients is for Nova Scotia residents undergoing cancer treatment to assist with costs related to boarding, transportation, and ostomy supply needs. 

Boarding cost assistance is considered for residents who must travel more than 50 km one-way from their home to the treatment centre.

Transportation cost assistance is considered, at $0.45 per km, for residents who use a personal vehicle to travel between their home and the treatment centre.  The Program will also cover the cost for patients using a bus, shuttle or community transportation service.

Eligibility is the same as for Drug Assistance (above)

[Download the application form [PDF]]

Nova Scotia Student Assistance  offers full- and part-time students in need of assistance a collection of loan and grant combinations from both the province and Canada Student Loans. Students with disabilities, dependents or who are returning to school ten years after their high school graduation may qualify for additional supports. 

Loans must be repaid, but may qualify for debt repayment plans, reductions, forgiveness. Grants do not need to be repaid at all. 

You can apply for all loans and grants with one application.

[Apply online [external link]]

👉You need to register for a My PATH account to start your application. You need your SIN number to do this. 

Credit Counselling Services of Atlantic Canada is a free debt counselling organization. Even though they don’t have an office in Antigonish, their website has calculators for debt management and meeting savings goals; and information on personal finances in clear, easy-to-understand language.

Nova Scotia Student Loan Forgiveness Program is for students graduating from Nova Scotia non-professional undergraduate programs, who may no longer have to repay the provincial portion of their student loans issued after August 1, 2015.  The amount forgiven depends on when you graduated and how long you took to finish your degree. Graduates can receive 5 years of loan forgiveness, up to $20,400.

If you received provincial loans between 2011 and 2015 you may also qualify for a debt cap. This cap should apply automatically, but if your address was not kept up-to-date, you may not have been notified.

Nova Scotia Student Loan Debt Reduction Program

Nova Scotians who received student loans between August 1, 2003 and July 31, 2008 can apply for a loan reduction. Monies received can be applied towards both provincial and Canada Student Loans. You might even qualify for a lump sum cheque.

If you’ve already paid your loans, you can still qualify! There are also incentive programs that add additional debt forgiveness if you are paying, or have paid your loan repayments on time for 12 months - or if you have been working for at least 50 weeks of the last three years after your graduation.

Find out more

Nova Scotia Student Loan Repayment Programs can help you manage your debtload to pay it off in a way that works for you. 

Repayment plans are available from the lender (provincial, federal, private bank).