Nova Scotia NCB Programs

Nova Scotia Child Benefit

The Nova Scotia Child Benefit (NSCB) is an income support program for low-income families with children. It is provided to all low-income parents, including those in receipt of assistance, with an annual income below $20,921. Families with incomes up to $15,999 are eligible for maximum benefits. Families with annual incomes between $16,000 and $20,921 are eligible to receive partial benefits.

On July 20, 2001, the NSCB was increased and combined with the NCB supplement to establish a standard benefit of $1700 annually for children of families who receive maximum payments through the NSCB. All children in low-income families, whether on social assistance, or in working families with incomes below $20,921, receive combined children's benefits.

Approximately 35,000 low-income families will be eligible to receive the Nova Scotia Child Benefit. Of these families, 15,000 are in receipt of social assistance and the remainder are low-income, working families.

The combined standard benefit will replace children's personal allowances in social assistance budgets effective August 1, 2001.

The Nova Scotia Child Benefit and the National Child Benefit Supplement have been, and now will be even more effective in addressing child poverty in Nova Scotia. Providing equal benefits on behalf of children of all low-income families, whether their parents are working or receiving social assistance, means that more low-income working families can remain in the work force without needing to turn to social assistance and more families receiving social assistance can make the transition to work.

For more information visit our Nova Scotia Child Benefit web site.

Contact us: webcoms@gov.ns.ca