Written By: Jenna Fralick, BScN, RN
Nova Scotia offers several programs to assist seniors and their families with home adaptations, managing household expenses and covering heating costs.
This post introduces three key programs currently available:
1. Home Adaptations for Seniors’ Independence (HASI) – A program providing financial assistance for minor home adaptations that help seniors maintain their independence.
2. Seniors Care Grant – A grant to assist with various household and healthcare services, as well as home heating costs, for eligible seniors.
3. Heating Assistance Rebate Program (HARP) – A rebate program offering financial relief for home heating expenses to low- and modest-income households.
Each program comes with specific benefits, eligibility criteria, and application deadlines. Read on to learn more about these valuable opportunities and how they can help you or a loved one this year.
1. Home Adaptations for Seniors' Independence (HASI)
The HASI program provides financial assistance to homeowners and landlords to make minor home adaptations, enabling seniors with low incomes to maintain their independence.
Funding Details: Eligible applicants can receive a forgivable loan of up to $3,500. This loan does not need to be repaid if the landlord agrees that the unit will be occupied by the senior for a minimum of six months and that rent will not increase as a result of the modifications.
Eligible Adaptations: Examples include installing handrails in hallways and stairways, easy-to-reach work and storage areas in the kitchen, lever handles on doors, walk-in showers, and bathtub grab bars and seats. Adaptations should be permanent; however, exceptions can be made for equipment like bath lifts.
Eligibility Criteria: The senior occupant must be at least 65 years old, experience difficulty with daily activities due to aging, have a household income below the local income ceiling, and be a permanent resident of the unit undergoing adaptation.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. It's important to apply and receive approval before commencing any work, as adaptations completed prior to approval are not eligible for funding.
For more information and to apply, visit: https://housing.novascotia.ca/programs/housing-programs-landlords/home-adaptations-seniors-independence
2. Seniors Care Grant
The Seniors Care Grant assists low-income seniors with expenses related to household services, healthcare services, and home heating.
Funding Details: Eligible households can receive a grant of $750.
Eligible Services: The grant covers services such as cooking and meal preparation (excluding the cost of food), grocery and meal delivery (excluding the cost of food), healthcare services (like physiotherapy and mental health support), home heating (including furnace oil, natural gas, propane, firewood, wood pellets, and electricity), home cleaning, laundry, outdoor work (like snow removal and lawn care), phone, cellphone, and internet services (excluding the cost of devices), small home repairs, and transportation services.
Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be 65 years or older by March 31, 2025, have a household net income of $45,100 or less, reside in their own home or apartment, have their name on the property title or lease agreement, and have paid or plan to pay for eligible services between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025.
Application Deadline: Applications are open until March 31, 2025.
To apply, visit: https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-help-household-healthcare-and-home-heating-costs-seniors-care-grant
3. Heating Assistance Rebate Program (HARP)
HARP provides financial assistance to low- and modest-income Nova Scotians to help with home heating costs.
Funding Details: Eligible households can receive a rebate of $600.
Eligible Heating Sources: The program covers various heating sources, including oil, electricity, natural gas, wood, wood pellets, coal, and other heating sources.
Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must pay for their own home heating and meet one of the following income criteria:
Have a 2023 net income of $55,000 or less and live alone with no dependents.
Have a combined 2023 net household income of $75,000 or less and live with 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.
Application Period: Applications are accepted from October 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.
For more details and to apply, visit: https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-heating-assistance-rebate-heating-assistance-rebate-program
These programs are designed to support Nova Scotians, especially seniors, in maintaining comfortable and safe living conditions. Eligible individuals are encouraged to apply before the respective deadlines to take advantage of these opportunities.
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