The Nova Scotia Heating Assistance Rebate Program (HARP) gives $400 a year to lower-income households that pay for their own home heat, whatever fuel they use. Applications for the 2026–27 season open on October 1, 2026. Last season, a person living alone qualified with a net income of $30,000 or less, and other households qualified with a combined net income of $45,000 or less. People on the Guaranteed Income Supplement or Income Assistance also qualified.
As of September 25, 2026, Nova Scotia has confirmed the $400 amount and the October 1 opening date for 2026–27, but has not yet posted this season’s full eligibility rules. The income limits, documents and steps below are the ones used for the 2025–26 season (October 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026). Check the official HARP page once applications open.
How much you can get
The rebate is a flat $400 per household. It is not based on how much you spend on heat. Nova Scotia’s Budget 2026–27 made the $400 amount permanent and set aside $32.5 million for the program.
| Season | Rebate | Application window |
|---|---|---|
| 2026–27 | $400 per household | Opens October 1, 2026 (deadline not yet posted) |
| 2025–26 | $400 per household | October 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026 |
Only one rebate is paid per household. There is no cost to apply.
Who qualifies
For the 2025–26 season, you had to pay for your own home (residential) heat and meet one of these conditions:
- You lived alone with no children or dependants and had a 2024 net income of $30,000 or less.
- You lived with children, dependants or other adults and your household’s combined 2024 net income was $45,000 or less. To count as a single parent, you needed to receive the Canada Child Benefit.
- You received Income Assistance from the Department of Opportunities and Social Development.
- You received the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or the Allowance from Service Canada.
Net income is the amount on line 23600 of your tax return. If your situation changed a lot after you filed your taxes, you may still qualify. The province asks you to contact Service Nova Scotia to check.
The 2026–27 income limits and income year had not been posted as of September 25, 2026.
Heat sources that count
HARP covers almost every way of heating a home. Last season’s list included:
- heating oil
- electric heat
- natural gas
- wood and wood pellets
- coal
- other heating sources, such as propane or kerosene
You can own or rent. Renters qualify as long as they pay for their own heat.
What does not count
- heat included in your rent, or heat someone else pays for
- electric heat if your home uses less than 5,000 kWh of electricity a year
- heating for investment or income properties
- heating for cottages, seasonal or recreational properties
- heating for commercial or business properties
How to apply
- Wait until applications open on October 1, 2026. Applications for last season closed on March 31, 2026.
- Gather what you need: the Social Insurance Number and date of birth of every adult in your home, and a recent heating bill or receipt.
- Apply online at the Heating Assistance Rebate Program page. You need an email address to apply online. It is the fastest way.
- Every adult on the application must sign it.
- Send any supporting documents the form asks for, such as a Notice of Assessment for each adult, a Canada Child Benefit form, or proof of a change in marital status.
- If you applied online, check your status with your confirmation number and postal code.
Paper applications
If you cannot apply online, you can print the form or pick one up at an Access Nova Scotia centre, a Community Services office, an MLA office or one of more than 70 community groups. Mail both sides of the form with your documents. Last season, mailed forms had to be postmarked by the March 31 deadline. You can also call to ask for a form by mail.
Send a heating bill to avoid delays
The program may ask for proof that you pay for heat, and it cannot process your application until you send it. The province recommends sending a bill with your application if this is your first time applying, you moved since your last rebate, or you live in a building with several units. Your bill should show:
- your first and last name and your full civic address, the same as on your application
- the name of the business
- a purchase or delivery date in the time frame the program sets. The province’s factsheet says between January 1 of the HARP year and the March 31 deadline.
Electric heat bills must show more than 5,000 kWh of use over 12 months. If you heat with wood you cut yourself, use the Firewood Declaration Form. If you buy wood without a receipt, ask the seller to fill in a Wood Invoice Form. If you repay your landlord the exact amount of each electric bill, ask them to fill in a Landlord Declaration Form.
When it’s paid
The province says it should take 8 to 10 weeks to get your rebate. It can take longer if more information is needed or the form is not filled in correctly. If the program needs more information, it may contact you by mail or email.
- If your income tax refund goes to your bank by direct deposit, your rebate is deposited the same way.
- If not, your rebate is mailed to you as a cheque.
If you want direct deposit, sign up with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) before you apply.
Do you have to reapply every year?
Yes. HARP does not enrol you automatically. Last year, past recipients who seemed eligible got an application in the mail or an email reminder, but they still had to apply for the new season.
Things to watch for
- Applying before October 1. The program does not take applications between seasons.
- Missing signatures. Every adult on the application must sign.
- Heat included in rent. You do not qualify if your landlord pays for heat.
- Low electric use. Electric heat must be more than 5,000 kWh a year.
- Name or address mismatch. Your bill must match the name and address on your application.
- Scams. Service Nova Scotia will never text or email you for banking information or ask you to click a link to “deposit” your rebate. No government asks for a payment or gift cards to release a benefit. Learn more on the scams page.
Other help may also be available. Seniors can apply for the Seniors Care Grant, which also helps with home heating costs. For 2025–26, the province also ran a Home Energy Assistance Top-Up (HEAT) Fund for emergency heating situations, which opened in January. Use the benefits checkup to see what else you may qualify for.
Common questions
How much is the Nova Scotia heating rebate for 2026–27?
It is $400 per household. The province’s 2026–27 budget made the $400 amount permanent.
When do HARP applications open in 2026?
Applications open on October 1, 2026. The program’s factsheet gives March 31 as the yearly deadline, but the province has not yet posted the 2026–27 closing date.
What is the income limit for the heating rebate in Nova Scotia?
Last season, the limit was $30,000 net income for a person living alone and $45,000 combined net income for other households, based on 2024 income. People on the GIS, the Allowance or Income Assistance also qualified. The 2026–27 limits had not been posted as of September 25, 2026.
Does the rebate cover wood or electric heat?
Yes. Wood, wood pellets, oil, electricity, natural gas, propane, coal and other fuels all count. Electric heat must be more than 5,000 kWh a year.
How long does the heating rebate take?
The province says 8 to 10 weeks. It comes by direct deposit if your tax refund does, or by cheque if it does not.
Who to call about a HARP application
Call Service Nova Scotia at 902-424-5200 or toll-free at 1-800-670-4357, or email [email protected].
