**** CNS Media Release
Helping Seniors Cover Heating Bills, Other Increasing Costs
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The government is taking action to help older Nova Scotians with increasing energy prices and other rising costs so that more seniors are able to live well at home.
Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Barbara Adams announced today, July 28, that the Seniors Care Grant will be expanded to include more services and provide a one-time $250 emergency heating grant to eligible seniors. This means that seniors applying for the Seniors Care Grant will be eligible for up to a maximum of $750 this fiscal year. Applications will open on September 1.
“We know that the cost of many of the things we need every day is rising, and that is having an impact on many Nova Scotia seniors who can least afford it,” said Minister Adams. “We have always said that we would look for new ways to meet the needs of seniors and expanding this already successful program will provide more support so that they can live with dignity and respect.”
The heating grant will be available to all eligible Nova Scotians 65 and older, including people who have already received the Seniors Care Grant and the Heating Assistance Rebate Program in the past year. The grant is available for the cost of oil, wood, electricity and other energy sources.
The Seniors Care Grant has also expanded the eligible list of services covered to help seniors stay in their homes longer. This includes the cost of telephone or Internet services, eye exams, dental work, mental health supports, physical therapy, occupational therapy, massage and foot care.
With these additions, the Seniors Care Grant is expected to use its entire $29.1 million budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year.
Quotes:
“The Seniors’ Advisory Council, Nova Scotia, welcomes this increase in funding for older adults through the Seniors Care Grant. With this heating grant and expanded services, eligible seniors can take advantage of the additional monies the grant provides at this time of rising costs.”
– Terrance Donovan, Chair, Seniors’ Advisory Council of Nova Scotia
Quick Facts:
— a grant of up to $500 is already available to each eligible household every year for lawn care, small household repairs, grocery and medication delivery, transportation and more
— seniors need to keep receipts for work or services provided; they must also live independently in a home they own or rent – on their own or with a spouse or partner – and have an annual net household income of $37,500 or less
— so far, 27,394 grants have been distributed, totalling $13,582,947
Additional Resources:
Seniors Care Grant phone number, email and website: 1-800-670-4357; seniorsgrant@novascotia.ca; https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-help-household-costs-seniors-care-grant
Heating Assistance Rebate Program:
https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-heating-assistance-rebate-heating-assistance-rebate-program
Property Tax Rebate for Seniors:
https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-property-tax-rebate-property-tax-rebate-seniors
Financial assistance and grant programs for homeowners: https://housing.novascotia.ca/programs/financial-assistance-and-grant-programs-homeowners
Action for Health, a strategic plan to address recent and long-standing problems in acute and primary care, long-term care, addictions and mental health: https://novascotia.ca/actionforhealth/
Mandate letter of the Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care: https://novascotia.ca/exec_council/letters-2021/ministerial-mandate-letter-2021-SLTC.pdf
