Social Assistance helps New Brunswick residents in financial need pay for food, rent, utilities and clothing. The Department of Social Development runs two main programs: Transitional Assistance for people who can work or are getting ready to work, and Extended Benefits for people certified as blind, deaf or disabled. Monthly assistance is deposited on the 1st, or on the last working day before it when the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday.
How much you’ll get
Your basic rate depends on your program and how many people are in your household. New Brunswick raises these rates every April 1 by the change in the province’s Consumer Price Index. The table shows the schedule for April 2025 to March 2026. Rates rose again on April 1, 2026, and the Notice of Direct Deposit mailed to you each month shows your exact amount.
| Household (April 2025 to March 2026) | Transitional Assistance | Extended Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $675 | $939 |
| 1 person with a designation | $724 | No separate rate |
| 2 people, at least one under 19 | $1,058 | $1,268 |
| 2 adults | $1,078 | $1,292 |
| 3 people | $1,120 | $1,334 |
| Each extra person | add $71 | add $76 |
On top of the basic rate, a $200 Household Supplement is added every month for both programs. It’s automatic for everyone except people experiencing homelessness.
Example: From April 2025 to March 2026, a single adult on Transitional Assistance with no other income got $875 a month ($675 plus the $200 supplement). A single adult certified as disabled on Extended Benefits got $1,139 ($939 plus $200).
Which rate applies to you
- Transitional Assistance is for people who can work, and for people who need support to get ready for work, including those with a short-term medical problem. Most families are on this program.
- Transitional Assistance, single employable is the rate for a single person with no designation who isn’t certified blind, deaf or disabled.
- The designated rate is for single people with a designation such as long-term health needs.
- Extended Benefits is for people certified by the Medical Advisory Board as blind, deaf or disabled, and some long-time clients with a Special Designation.
Working, savings and other income
Once you’re a client, you keep the first $500 you earn each month, plus half of anything over $500. For example, if you earn $650, $575 is exempt and only $75 comes off your cheque. Earnings are counted from the 22nd of one month to the 21st of the next.
You can keep up to $1,000 in cash and savings as a single person, or $2,000 for a larger household. Households with someone certified blind, deaf or disabled can keep up to $10,000, plus an RDSP, RRSPs up to $50,000 and a trust fund up to $200,000. RESPs for children, life insurance and a prepaid funeral don’t count against you.
Since July 2025, the Canada Disability Benefit is fully excluded. It doesn’t affect your eligibility or your monthly amount.
Who qualifies
- You live in New Brunswick.
- You’re in financial need: your income and assets can’t cover basic needs like food, rent, utilities and clothing.
- Your savings are within the asset limits above.
- For Extended Benefits, you’ve been certified blind, deaf or disabled by the Medical Advisory Board.
How to apply
- Call Social Development at 1-833-733-7835 (1-833-SDDSTel). This is the screening and intake line.
- Answer the screening questions. You’ll be asked questions to see if you may be eligible.
- Complete your intake. A needs assessment specialist enters your information, and the system works out which rate applies to you.
- Set up direct deposit. It avoids lost or stolen cheques and still arrives on time during a postal strike.
What changed in 2026
- April 1, 2026: basic Social Assistance rates rose with the New Brunswick Consumer Price Index, as they do every April.
- July 2026: the federal GST/HST credit became the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. The CRA also pays the New Brunswick HST Credit (up to $300 a year per adult for July 2026 to June 2027) when you file your taxes.
- Canada Disability Benefit: up to $204.20 a month for July 2026 to June 2027, and it still doesn’t reduce your assistance.
Payment late, missing or different?
Direct deposits arrive on the 1st, or the last working day before it. Cheques are usually issued on the 1st and can take longer. If your deposit hasn’t arrived by the end of the payment day:
- Check with your bank.
- Call your case manager, or Social Development at 1-833-733-7835.
- For an emergency after hours, on a weekend or on a holiday, call 1-833-733-7835 or 1-800-442-9799.
A payment can be held or smaller if your pay stubs didn’t arrive by the 21st (the case is put on hold until they do), you reported new income, your household changed, or you moved or changed banks.
Watch for scams. Social Development never charges a fee and never asks for gift cards or your banking password by text or email. If a message says your assistance is on hold, call the department yourself.
Other help you might be missing
- Canada Child Benefit: the New Brunswick Child Tax Benefit adds up to $20.83 a month per child, with the full amount for family net income of $20,000 or less (July 2026 to June 2027).
- Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit: file your taxes each year, even with no income, to get it and the NB HST Credit.
- Canada Disability Benefit: for adults 18 to 64 with the Disability Tax Credit, and it doesn’t reduce your assistance.
- Canada Workers Benefit: a refundable tax credit if you have low earnings from work.
- Guaranteed Income Supplement: if you’re 65 or older with low income, along with Old Age Security.
Common questions
When is social assistance deposited in New Brunswick?
On the 1st of each month. If the 1st is a weekend or holiday, it’s deposited on the last working day before. New Brunswick doesn’t publish a list of dates, so the calendar at the top of this page works them out from that rule.
How much is social assistance for a single person in NB?
From April 2025 to March 2026, it was $675 a month on Transitional Assistance or $939 on Extended Benefits, plus the $200 Household Supplement. Rates went up again on April 1, 2026.
How much can I earn on social assistance in New Brunswick?
Once you’re a client, the first $500 a month is exempt, plus half of anything above $500.
Does the Canada Disability Benefit reduce NB social assistance?
No. Since July 2025, Social Development excludes it for all social assistance, the Disability Support Program and long-term care.
What is the Extended Benefits Program?
It’s the higher rate of Social Assistance for people certified by the Medical Advisory Board as blind, deaf or disabled. It also allows more savings, up to $10,000.