If you are on income assistance, the money you receive will soon reflect inflation.
The province says payments will be indexed annually starting with a 2.5 per cent hike for 2024/25.
Minister of Community Services Brenan MacGuire says, “These continue to be challenging times for Nova Scotians living on low incomes. Indexing IA rates will result in more predictability for our clients and is another action being taken by government to help vulnerable Nova Scotians find success.”
It will cost the province $7 million and will be implemented July 1, with payments retroactive to April 1.
As of February, there were over 23,000 receiving income assistance.
Province Indexing Income Assistance Rates https://t.co/VFuD8vEZ8f pic.twitter.com/cqRcl2Vor9
— Nova Scotia Gov. (@nsgov) March 27, 2024
The opposition is praising the move.
NDP Leader Claudia Chender says they are ‘thrilled’ to see the Houston government finally supporting indexing income assistance rates.
“While much more is still needed to address the rampant cost of living increases across the province on everything from food to power, to housing, today’s decision is a win for the Nova Scotians most in need and an idea whose time has come.”
Although Chender says the timing is bizarre coming the day after the debate on the budget concluded, it is an important change.
