Do you reside in Nova Scotia and qualify for the national Canada Child Benefit (CCB)? Then you may be eligible for the Nova Scotia Child Benefit.
The Nova Scotia Child Benefit (NSCB) is a provincial program that the local government of Nova Scotia entirely funds to help reduce or even prevent child poverty.
Much like Canada Child Benefit (CCB), this initiative offers monetary support to low- and middle-income families of Nova Scotia so they can financially afford to raise children under the age of 18. It may be beneficial with things like tuition, the costs of childcare, and several other living expenses.
Alongside this provincial program, the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) also implements the Nova Scotia Affordable Living Tax Credit (NSALTC) and Poverty Reduction Credit (PRC), where the government gives extra money on a monthly and quarterly basis, respectively.
See if you qualify for the Nova Scotia Child Benefit and how much money you can receive if it is granted by reading on!
Key Takeaways
- The Nova Scotia Child Benefit (NSCB) is a tax-free monthly payment made to low- and modest-income families in Nova Scotia to aid in raising children under 18.
- To qualify for the Nova Scotia Child Benefit (NSCB), you must first apply for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) since monthly payments are linked.
- Families must fulfill specific requirements, such as being a resident of Nova Scotia and having an adjusted family net income (AFNI) of no more than $34,000.
- A child’s maximum annual grant from the NSCB is $1,275.
What is the Nova Scotia Child Benefit (NSCB)?
The Nova Scotia Child Benefit (NSCB) is a tax-free monthly payment granted to eligible families with dependent children in Nova Scotia to assist in covering the expenses of raising children under 18.
While the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) oversees the program’s execution, the financing comes from the Department of Community Services of Nova Scotia.
Together with the federally funded Canada Child Benefit (CCB), this benefit is paid out monthly by mail or direct deposit.
With the implementation of the Canada Child Benefit and the Nova Scotia Child Benefit, the province’s significant rate of low-income families has decreased.
While there has been some progress, more still needs to be done, including a more modest amount in the NSCB, if child poverty is to be minimized in Nova Scotia.
In the forthcoming fiscal year, 2023–2024, the local government is considering increasing funding for the province’s child tax credit program by $8 million for families that qualify, according to Nova Scotia News.
Eligibility Requirements For the NCSB
The Canadian Revenue Agency will consider your eligibility for the NSCB using the information from your Canada Child Benefit (CCB) application. It implies that you must first apply for the CCB before you may get this benefit.
In detail, to be eligible for the Nova Scotia Child Benefit, your adjusted family net income must be at most $34,000 and meet the following major requirements.
- Be a parent and resides with an eligible dependant(s) who are under the age of 18
- Be a Nova Scotia resident or have a common-law partner or spouse who is a Canadian taxpayer throughout the year
- Filed an income tax return for a base taxation year
- Not a person for whom a special allowance under the Children’s Special Allowances Act is payable for the month.
To get the complete eligibility requirements, visit the official Nova Scotia Child Benefit Regulations.
How Much Can You Receive From the Nova Scotia Child Benefit?
The monthly amount of the Nova Scotia Child Benefit you receive is based on the number of eligible children in your family and the tax returns you and your spouse or common-law partner filed.
Last July 2022, the Nova Scotia government increased the 2022-2023 budget for the NSCB by $12.5 million to help eligible families more with the cost of raising children of ages 18 and below.
Families with adjusted net income below $26,000 now receive $1,275 per year for each kid. Families with adjusted net income between $26,000 and $34,000 now receive $1,275 per year for the first child and half the amount for succeeding children.
The chart below illustrates the amount you will get depending on the number of kids you have and your household adjustable income, excluding the CCB payments.
| Income | Family with one child | Family with two children | Family with three children | Each additional child |
| $25,999 and below | $106.25/month $1,275/year | $212.50/month $2,550/year | $318.75/month $2,825/year | +$106.25/child/month +$1,275/child/year |
| $26,000 to $33,999 | $106.25/month $1,275/year | $159.37/month $1,912.50/year | $212.50/year $2,550/year | +$53.12/child/month +$637.50/child/year |
For a compact explanation of how to compute these monthly amounts, you can use the formula shown below, obtained from the Amendment to the Nova Scotia Child Benefit Regulations made under Section 80 of the Income Tax Act.
NSCB = [1/12 (A × B)] – C
where;
A = $1,275 for each qualified dependant,
B = the number of qualified dependents
C = benefit reduction applicable to the eligible individual
The benefit reduction (C) has no value when the adjusted family net income is below $26,000, or between $26,000 and $34,000, with just one qualifying dependant.
And if the family’s adjustable net income is between $26,000 and $34,000 and has more than one eligible dependant, C = 1/12 × 50% (A × B – A).
Thankfully, the Canadian government has provided a Nova Scotia Child Benefit calculator (among other child and family benefits) where you can enter your details, your family’s net income, and your children’s information. The system will automatically calculate your tax credits and child benefits.
Note: If you share custody of a dependant who qualifies, you will only receive half of what you would receive if they lived with you full-time.
Child Tax Benefit Nova Scotia Payment Dates
The fiscal year for the Nova Scotia Child Benefit begins in July and ends in June; it is calculated using one’s adjusted net income from the preceding taxation year.
According to the Government of Canada’s official website, if you apply online, you should get your first payment within eight weeks, and if you apply by mail, it should come within eleven.
As the Canada Child Benefit and the Nova Scotia Child Benefit are distributed each month jointly, the payment dates for NSCB follow that of CCB.
Here are the NSCB payment dates for this year, 2023:
- January 20, 2023,
- February 20, 2023,
- March 20, 2023,
- April 20, 2023,
- May 19, 2023,
- June 20, 2023,
- July 20, 2023,
- August 18, 2023,
- September 20, 2023,
- October 20, 2023,
- November 20, 2023,
- December 13, 2023,
You can also visit your individual MyBenefits CRA to view the details of your next benefit and credit payment details, including the amount.
If you use the CRA’s deposit service to receive your CCB payments, your NSCB will be deposited into that account.
Note: Payments will cease once you stop filing tax returns or meeting eligibility requirements.
How To Apply For the Nova Scotia Child Tax Benefit
You are automatically considered for the Nova Scotia Child Tax Benefit program when you qualify for the Canada Child Benefit. The CRA will use the information in your CBB application, so it is unnecessary to submit it separately.
Your NSCB amount is based on the tax return information you give, so the only obligation you have is to file your tax return every year. Even if you have no annual income, you and your spouse must still submit tax forms.
Remember always to keep your personal information updated and all supporting CRA documents for future validation processes.
Other Nova Scotia Child Benefits
1. Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a tax-free monthly payment from the national government to qualifying families to cover the expenses of raising children under eighteen.
Whether your child lives with you or not, how much money your family makes and how many children you have affect how much money you will receive from this program.
A maximum annual benefit of $7,437Â per child is granted.
2. Low-Income Pharmacare for Children
Those who qualify for the Nova Scotia Child Benefit may also qualify for the Low Income Pharmacare for Children Program, which helps eligible households with children’s prescription drugs.
This program allows you to pay $5 per prescription pill for children less than 18, regardless of the drug’s cost.
The Department of Health and Wellness offers an option if you do not qualify for the Nova Scotia Family Pharmacare Program.
3. Nova Scotia’s Child Care Subsidy Program
Nova Scotia’s Child Care Subsidy Program helps low-income families with children 12 years and below pay a portion of childcare fees at childcare facilities and regulated family home daycare agencies.Â
Qualified families must have at most $50,000 in liquid assets. They must earn $25,000 or less to earn the maximum payment between $25,050 and $70,079 to receive partial financial support.
Per-day rates for youngsters may go as much as $29 for babies, $24 for toddlers, and $23 for kindergartens.
4. Child Disability Benefit (CDB)
The Child Disability Benefit (CDB) is a tax-free monetary compensation granted to families caring for kids under the age of 18 who have severe and lengthy mental or physical incapacity.
Child Disability Benefit eligibility is contingent on qualifying for Canada Child Benefit (CCB) and Disability Tax Credit (DTC), with the Disability Tax Credit Certificate requiring practitioner confirmation and CRA approval.
FAQs
The Child Assistance Benefit in Quebec remains Canada’s most generous program for low-income families with children. Retraite Quebec says parents might get anything from $1107 to $2782 per child annually.
From July 2023 to June 2024, eligible individuals with children under 18 will receive a monthly CCB payment depending on their adjusted family net income and the number of children under their care. If the annual net income is $34,863 and below, they can receive a monthly allowance of $619.75 per child under six years old and $522.91 per kid aged six to seventeen.
Yes, you can still get the Child Benefit. However, the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is aimed at supporting low-income families; hence, if your adjusted family net income (AFNI) is approximately $50,000, your monthly benefits will be reduced considerably.
In Nova Scotia, any kid under 18 in your care may be eligible for a monthly payment of $106.25 from July 2022 through June 2023.
Call the Department of Community Services toll-free at 1-877-424-1177 if you have any queries concerning the Child Tax Benefit Nova Scotia. Call the same department for other services like Employment Support and Income Assistance, Disability Support Program, and Child Youth and Family Support.
Related:
