Heating Assistance Rebate Program accepting applications By Sam Macdonald

Monday marked the official launch of Service Nova Scotia’s Heating Assistance Rebate Program (HARP). Applications for the program are currently open and will be accepted between Oct. 10 and March 31.

Income thresholds for the HARP have been increased this year, to $29,000 per year from $27,000 for single households, and to $44,000 per year from $42,000 for family households.

HARP provides rebates between $100 and $200 to help Nova Scotians heat their homes. This season, the program is anticipated to help 5,000 more households receive assistance with home heating costs.

“The heating assistance rebate program already provides help to more than 40,000 households across the province, and I am pleased to be able to extend that support to even more families this year,” sand Geoff MacLellan, minister of Service Nova Scotia. “I encourage all eligible Nova Scotians who can benefit from this program to apply.”

To qualify for the program, applicants must receive income assistance from the Department of Community Services, and receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement or Allowance from Service Canada.
According to information released from the provincial government, if an applicant’s personal or financial situation has changed in the last year, they still may qualify. Changes could include becoming widowed; getting divorced or separated; losing their job or having their child custody situation change.

One of the beneficiaries of the program, Kevin McKay, operations manager at the Parker Street Food and Furniture Bank in Halifax, said “Parker Street provides assistance to the community, but the need that we see is so much more than the help that we can give.”

How to apply

The fastest ways to apply for the Heating Assistance Rebate Program are through mobile phone or online. Those who apply online can check the status of their application using the system available. People registered for direct deposit with the Canada Revenue Agency will have their rebates deposited directly into their bank accounts.