Seniors Care Grant
The Seniors Care Grant helps low-income seniors with the cost of household services (like lawn care, snow removal, grocery delivery, transportation, small home repairs and phone service), healthcare services (like physiotherapy and mental health support) and home heating. Grants are $750 for each household. You can apply until 1 December 2026.
Eligible household and healthcare services and home heating costs
Eligible household and healthcare services and home heating costs include services that help you stay in your home including:
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cooking and meal preparation (excluding the cost of food)
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grocery and meal delivery (excluding the cost of food)
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healthcare services for your health and wellness (like foot care, physiotherapy and mental health support)
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home heating (like furnace oil, natural gas, propane, firewood, wood pellets and electricity)
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home heating repairs and regular heating maintenance
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home cleaning, organizing and help with downsizing or moving
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laundry
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medication and prescription delivery (excluding the cost of medications and prescriptions)
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outdoor work (like driveway maintenance, landscaping, lawn care, snow removal, stacking wood and tree removal)
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phone, cellphone and internet services (excluding the cost of devices)
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small home repairs (like windows, doors, roof, plumbing, electrical, decks, fencing, siding and painting)
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transportation (like taxis, ride shares, shuttles and other methods of transportation) and public and community transit (like the bus, Access-A-Bus and ferry)
Eligibility
To qualify for the grant, you need to be 65 or older by 31 March 2027 and meet all of the following criteria:
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have a household net income of $45,100 or less
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live in your own home or apartment
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have your name on the property title, Land Titles Initiative Certificate of Claim or residential lease agreement or a Band administrative letter issued by a First Nation community (reserve)
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have paid (or that you will pay) for household and healthcare services and home heating between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2027
You need to apply by 1 December 2026 (only 1 person per household can apply).
How to apply
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Apply online for the grant.
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Submit your completed application.
How long it takes
It should take 8 weeks to get your reimbursement. It can take longer if more information is needed or if your application hasn’t been filled in correctly. If more information is required to process your grant, the Department of Service Nova Scotia contacts you by email.
If your income tax refund is direct deposited, your reimbursement is too. If not, your reimbursement is mailed to you.
Apply online
When you apply online you need an email address. The Seniors Care Grant emails you if it needs more information to process your grant.
Apply for a property tax rebate: Property Tax Rebate for Seniors
click here for more info
Rebate amount
The rebate amount is based on your municipal residential property taxes. The program provides eligible homeowners with a rebate of 50% of the municipal residential property taxes they paid for the 2025 tax year, up to a maximum of $800.
All of the amounts listed on your tax bill are eligible to be included in the rebate calculation, except amounts for:
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commercial property
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resource property (non-residential land or forest)
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municipal exemptions or rebates
Eligibility
To qualify for the rebate, you need to meet all of the following criteria:
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your 2025 municipal residential property taxes are paid in full (your name is on the property title)
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you lived at the property as your primary residence in 2025 (the property can't be someplace that you live occasionally or a seasonal home)
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you receive or are eligible to receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or the Allowance from Service Canada in 2026
If you’re not already receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or the Allowance, you can check with Service Canada to see if you’re eligible for them.
You need to apply for the rebate by 31 December 2026.
How to apply
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Complete both sides of the rebate application.
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Check the application for details on all required supporting documents.
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Send your completed application and supporting documents (including tax information) by mail. Or drop them off at Access Nova Scotia.
How long it takes
It should take 8 to 10 weeks to get your rebate. It can take longer if more information is needed or if your application hasn’t been filled in correctly. If additional information is required to process your rebate, the Department of Service Nova Scotia contacts you by mail.
If you get your income tax refund by direct deposit from Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), the Department of Service Nova Scotia deposits your rebate into the bank account you have registered with CRA. If you don’t get your income tax refund by direct deposit, the department mails your rebate cheque within 8 to 10 weeks.
Application form
Property Tax Rebate for Seniors Application Form (PDF 191 kB)
Emergency Services Provider Fund (ESPF) – 2026-27 Applications Now Open
The Department of Emergency Management has officially launched the 2026-27 Emergency Services Provider Fund (ESPF).
The ESPF supports volunteer fire departments, ground search and rescue teams, hazardous materials units, and other emergency response organizations by helping fund equipment used directly in emergency response activities.
Eligible first responder organizations will receive an email advising them that applications are now open. Organizations are encouraged to apply early to ensure they have adequate time to complete the application process before the July 31 deadline.
Key Details
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Applications for the Individual Organization Stream are now open and will be accepted until July 31, 2026.
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Eligible organizations can apply for up to $30,000.
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A new online application process is now available, making it easier for organizations to apply.
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The Regional Stream will open September 1 and close October 31, 2026, with funding of up to $200,000 available for larger regional projects.
Resources
Program Information:
https://www.novascotia.ca/apply-funding-buy-equipment-thats-used-directly-response-fire-or-emergency-emergency-services-provider-fund
Online Application:
Emergency Services Provider Fund (ESPF)- NS Forms - Government of Nova Scotia
Questions:
ESPF@novascotia.ca
Housing Repair Program
Apply to the Housing Repair Program for help with the cost of home repairs.You need to use the funding for emergency repairs and health and safety repairs (like electrical, plumbing, structural, heating and fire safety) so you can continue to live safely in your principal residence. A principal residence is the home you own and live in.
You can apply for funding if:
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repairs are an emergency or required to maintain the safe occupancy of your home
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you own and live in your home where the where the repairs will be applied and have an annual pre-tax (gross) household income that’s not more than the income limits in the Housing Repair Program Guide
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you've lived in your home for at least 1 year and your home is at least 5 years old
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you haven’t received previous grants from the Housing Repair Program in the last 5 years, unless the repairs are eligible emergency repairs
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you haven’t received previous loans from the Housing Repair Program in the last 15 years, unless the repairs are eligible emergency repairs
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your property taxes are paid up to date or you have a payment plan in place with the local government for at least 3 months
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your property value is no more than $360,000 in Halifax Regional Municipality or $280,000 in other regions of Nova Scotia
Eligible Properties include:
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single-family detached house
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townhouse (semi-detached) or row house
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condominium property (interiors only, not common spaces)
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manufactured (mobile) home where ownership of the unit is verified
You also need to meet any additional eligibility criteria (like repair eligibility) outlined in the Housing Repair Program Guide.