**** Community Services Release
Increase to Nova Scotia Child Benefit
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The Province is helping Nova Scotian families with lower incomes by increasing their Nova Scotia Child Benefit effective Friday, July 1.
The benefit is a tax-free payment to eligible families to help with the cost of raising children under 18. Depending on household income and the number of children, families will now receive as much as $1,275 per child annually, at least $350 more than the previous year.
“Safe and healthy children, youth and families are vital to building a stronger Nova Scotia,” said Karla MacFarlane, Minister of Community Services. “This is one more way we are helping families who need it most.”
The Nova Scotia Child Benefit is combined with the federally funded Canada Child Benefit and received by mail or direct deposit as one monthly payment. The increase will take effect on the next payment received, in July.
People are not required to take any action, as both the federal and provincial benefits are based on personal income tax returns. However, people are encouraged to file their income tax returns for 2021 if they haven’t already filed.
The Department continues to work with partners and experts to develop a comprehensive approach to addressing child poverty.
Quick Facts:
— the Nova Scotia Child Benefit year runs from July 1 to June 30 and is based on income information from the previous taxation year
— to be eligible for the Nova Scotia Child Benefit, families with children must have an annual adjusted family net income under $34,000
— as of February 2021, there were 26,477 families in receipt of the benefit, representing 47,068 children
Additional Resources:
More information about the Nova Scotia Child Benefit and the new rates: https://www.novascotia.ca/coms/families/ChildBenefit.html
Mandate letter of the Minister of Community Services: https://novascotia.ca/exec_council/letters-2021/ministerial-mandate-letter-2021-DCS-OLA-SOW.pdf
