**** NS Gov Release
Heating Assistance Rebate Program Opens October 1
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The Province is investing more than $30 million to help the most vulnerable Nova Scotians with their heating bills this winter. Applications for the annual Heating Assistance Rebate Program open Thursday, October 1.
“Eligible Nova Scotians can receive $400 to help with their heating bills,” said Jill Balser, Minister of Service Nova Scotia. “This year, our focus is to ensure that all those who may qualify apply. People can find out about the program online, at MLA offices and Access Nova Scotia centres.”
Families earning a combined net income of up to $45,000 and single-person households earning a net income up to $30,000 are eligible for the rebate whether they rent or own, provided they directly pay for home heat. Recipients of the Guaranteed Income Supplement or income assistance are also eligible.
The Heating Assistance Rebate Program is one of many government affordability measures that are helping Nova Scotians manage escalating day-to-day living costs, including tax-saving measures to save the average Nova Scotian family more than $1,000 per year; building more affordable housing; increasing support for people on income assistance; and raising the minimum wage.
People can apply for the rebate online at http://www.novascotia.ca/heatinghelp, and paper applications are available across the province at Access Nova Scotia centres and MLA offices. To help get the rebate sooner, people are encouraged to include a heating bill with their application; otherwise, they may be asked to provide one.
Previous recipients who qualify for this year’s program will get an application in the mail or an email reminding them about the rebate.
Seniors who opted in to the Heating Assistance Rebate Program as part of their Property Tax Rebate for Seniors will be notified soon if they have been automatically approved for the heating rebate.
The deadline for applications is March 31. The Province will launch a social media campaign to encourage those who are eligible to apply.
Since 2021, more than $340 million has been invested in the Heating Assistance Rebate Program.
Nova Scotians applying for the rebate may also be eligible for the Seniors Care Grant, Property Tax Rebate for Seniors or Home Energy Assistance Top-Up Fund.
Quick Facts:
- the rebate for 2026-27 is $400
- the Province is currently managing a $1.4-billion deficit
- in 2025-26, the Province made the $400 rebate permanent, doubling the standard amount from the previous decade
- last year, more than 54,000 households received a rebate from the Heating Assistance Rebate Program; the budget was $33.3 million
- the Province also helps with the cost of energy through the Your Energy Rebate Program, which provides Nova Scotians with more than $145 million in rebates each year
