$0 Nova Scotia — Long-Term Care Cost Checklist

Seniors Care Grant Nova Scotia: How to Apply for $750 in Annual Support

What the Seniors Care Grant Covers

The Nova Scotia Seniors Care Grant is an annual provincial payment of up to $750 per household, designed to help older adults cover everyday costs that make aging in place safer and more manageable. It is not a tax credit or a loan — the province reimburses eligible expenses directly.

Covered expenses include lawn mowing, snow removal, minor home repairs (plumbing, electrical, roofing), window washing, grocery delivery fees (not the food itself), physiotherapy, and home heating fuel. You keep your receipts for audit purposes, but you do not need to submit them with the initial application.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the 2025-2026 grant cycle, the senior must meet all three criteria:

  • Age: 65 or older by March 31, 2026
  • Residence: Own or rent their primary residence in Nova Scotia, in their own name
  • Income: Net household income of $45,100 or less (Line 23600 of the most recent CRA Notice of Assessment)

The income threshold is based on household income, not individual income. If a married or common-law couple lives together, both incomes count toward the $45,100 cap.

How to Apply

Applications for the 2025-2026 cycle opened September 1, 2025, and closed March 31, 2026. Only expenses paid or planned between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026, can be claimed.

Apply online through the Service Nova Scotia portal. The application asks for basic personal information, the senior's Social Insurance Number, and a description of the household expenses being claimed. No receipts are required upfront, but keep them in case of a provincial audit.

The grant is an annual reimbursement paid to the eligible household. Check the current Service Nova Scotia instructions for processing and payment details.

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What the Grant Does Not Cover

The Seniors Care Grant is specifically for household and health maintenance costs. It does not cover long-term care accommodation fees, nursing home costs, or ongoing personal care services. For those expenses, Nova Scotia operates a separate income-tested subsidy system through the provincial Continuing Care program.

If your parent needs help covering actual long-term care costs — the daily accommodation charges at a licensed nursing home, home care fees, or the financial assessment process — the Nova Scotia Long-Term Care Costs and Subsidies Guide walks through the full subsidy application and rate reduction process step by step.

Key Deadlines at a Glance

Detail 2025-2026 Cycle
Application opens September 1, 2025
Application closes March 31, 2026
Eligible expense window April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026
Maximum grant $750 per household
Income threshold $45,100 net household income

Each cycle has its own application window; check the current Service Nova Scotia instructions before applying.

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