A slight increase in various Nova Scotian income assistance programs will take effect on July 1.
In March, the province announced a 2.5 per cent increase for both the Income Assistance Disability Supplement (IADS) and the Disability Support Program (DSP).
“We know people are struggling to make ends meet right now and this increase helps put a little more money into the hands of those who need it most,” said Brendan Maguire, Minister of Community Services. “Our clients will see increased payments on their next cheque, and in the years to come, as income assistance is indexed annually based on the consumer price index.”
The increase works out to between $10-$35 more per monthly cheque.
In early July, IADS recipients will receive a one-time retroactive payment to April 1, 2024, while those on DSP supplement recipients will get a payment retroactive to May 1.
Both programs are also set to be indexed to inflation starting next year.
When the province first announced the increase in March, the opposition reaction recognized the need for an increase but questioned if it went far enough.
NDP Leader Claudia Chender told reporters many of the over 40,000 income assistance recipients will still be thousands of dollars below the poverty line in a time of record inflation.
“It’s a good thing, but it’s not enough,” Chender said.
Liberal leader Zach Churchill meanwhile said he welcomed the change but said it was long overdue.
