As part of a $100-million effort to help low- and middle-income Nova Scotians with home heating, more people than ever before will be eligible for the Heating Assistance Rebate Program (HARP) this year. The amount per household is also set for an increase this year.
The HARP maximum rebate increased this winter from $200 to $1,000. Individual and combined households with an income of up to $85,000 are eligible. Applications for the expanded program opened January 30 and close on March 31.
Anyone who has already qualified for a HARP rebate this year will automatically receive an additional payment in the new year.
The eligibility for the rebate is you need to pay for your own home (residential) heat and meet one of the following criteria:
- have a net income of $85,000 or less and live alone with no kids or dependents
- have a combined net 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 can apply online for the rebate here.
It should take approximately 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, you may be contacted by email.
Translations of the Heating Assistance Rebate Program fact sheet in Arabic, Farsi, Mandarin, Spanish, and French are available here.