**** COMMUNITY SERVICES Media Release
Child Benefit Increasing
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Nova Scotia is continuing efforts to support people living on lower incomes.
In July, government will expand the Nova Scotia Child Benefit to include more families, while also raising the amount eligible families receive.
The $18 million investment, included in the 2020-21 budget, is the largest single increase to the benefit since it was created in 1998.
“We’re putting more money directly in the hands of families who need it,” said Kelly Regan, Minister of Community Services. “This is another major investment in the children of our province.”
Families with incomes below $34,000 will now be eligible.
Previously, only those earning $26,000 or less qualified. The amount will also increase from $625 per year to $925 annually for the first child for all eligible families.
The first monthly payment will be issued July 20, in combination with the federal government’s increase to the Canada Child Benefit payment. Families do not have to apply.
Quick Facts:
— the benefit is a tax-free, monthly payment to families with children under 18
— families that are newly eligible will also now qualify for the Low-Income Pharmacare for Children Program for children under the age of 18
— for each additional child, families will receive between $412 and $900 annually depending on income level
— the expanded child benefit will support an additional 6,100 families including 10,000 more children – a total of 28,000 families and 49,000 children across Nova Scotia
— receipt of the Nova Scotia Child Benefit is tied to when Nova Scotians file their 2019 personal income tax return. For that reason, there may be a delay in payments for newly eligible families or a retroactive correction for those who chose to take advantage of the extended deadline to file tax returns
Additional Resources:
Nova Scotia Child Benefit: http://novascotia.ca/coms/families/ChildBenefit.html
Low-Income Pharmacare for Children Program: http://www.novascotia.ca/coms/families/PharmacareforChildren.html
