Income Support is Newfoundland and Labrador’s basic financial help for adults whose money can’t cover food, clothing, utilities and housing. The Department of Social Supports and Well-Being runs it. Most people are paid by direct deposit on the 1st and 16th of each month.
How much you’ll get
Your payment is built from a few pieces: an individual (or family) benefit for day-to-day needs, help with rent or mortgage, and a fuel supplement. Your income, assets, household size and living situation all change the total. These monthly rates took effect in September 2025 and still apply for September 2026.
| Basic monthly benefit (since September 2025) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Single adult | $561 |
| Couple without children | $1,122 |
| Single parent with children | $729 |
| Couple with children | $1,122 |
| Extra monthly help (since September 2025) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Rent or mortgage, single person living alone | Up to $522 |
| Rent or mortgage, single person with a roommate | Up to $299 |
| Rent or mortgage, couple | Up to $598 |
| Fuel supplement, Island | $71 |
| Fuel supplement, Labrador | $132 |
| Cost of living allowance, Coastal Labrador only | $150 |
Example: A single adult with no income who rents an apartment alone in St. John’s can get up to $1,154 a month ($561 plus up to $522 for rent plus $71 for fuel). The same person with a roommate would get up to $931.
Families also get a $100 back-to-school payment for each school-aged child every August. Other help can include eye exams (up to $100), glasses ($290 single vision or $350 bifocals), municipal taxes, child care and funeral costs.
Working while on Income Support
You can work and still get Income Support. Part of what you earn isn’t counted:
- Single people keep the first $150 a month, plus 75% of earnings from $150 to $225, 50% from $225 to $300, and 25% of anything above $300.
- Families keep the first $250 a month, and costs like transportation and child care are taken into account.
When you start a new job, you may get a Job Start Benefit of up to $250 (twice a year) and keep your full Income Support for the first 60 days. People who stay working can get bonuses of $250 after 6 months, $500 after 12 months and $1,000 after 24 months. Your drug card can continue for 12 months after you leave Income Support.
Who qualifies
- You are 18 or older and live in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Your income can’t cover your basic needs. Income Support is the last option, so you must apply for other money you may be owed first, like Employment Insurance or the Canada Pension Plan.
- Your liquid assets (cash, savings and similar) are no more than $6,000 for one person or $11,000 combined for two or more people. RRSPs worth up to $20,000 in total aren’t counted.
- If you’re single and 18 to 21, you’ll also need to give information about your parents’ income and resources.
How to apply
- Call 1-877-729-7888. This is the fastest way. A Client Services Officer takes your information over the phone and does a first check of whether you qualify.
- Or apply on paper. Fill out the Income Support Application and the Rights, Responsibilities and Client Consent Form. Mail them to the Department of Social Supports and Well-Being, Document Processing Unit, P.O. Box 8790, St. John’s, NL A1B 5E4, or fax 709-729-2641, or email [email protected]. A paper application is valid for 30 days.
- Send your documents. Have your Social Insurance Number, date of birth, banking information, rent receipts and proof of income and assets ready.
- Wait for a decision. The department’s own timeline runs about 30 days from registering your application to a decision, and it may contact your landlord or employer or run a credit check.
If you disagree with a decision, you can ask the Internal Review Committee to look at it. After that, you can appeal to the Income and Employment Support Appeal Board.
What changed in 2026
- Income Support rates: the rates on the department’s page are still the ones set in September 2025, when the benefit became $561 for every adult and housing help rose to $522 for one adult.
- Seniors’ Benefit: Budget 2026 raised it by 20%. From July 2026, seniors with family net income up to $30,409 can get the maximum of $1,882 a year.
- Disability benefits: since July 2025, people who get the NL Disability Benefit and the Canada Disability Benefit keep their full Income Support. The Canada Disability Benefit rose to up to $204.20 a month for July 2026 to June 2027.
Payment late, missing or different?
Direct deposits land on the 1st and 16th. Cheques are mailed so they should arrive by those days. Newfoundland and Labrador doesn’t publish what happens when the 1st or 16th is a weekend or holiday, so check your bank that morning. If nothing has arrived by the end of the day:
- Check with your bank.
- Call Income Support at 1-877-729-7888, or email [email protected] about a missing cheque.
Common reasons a payment is late or different: you changed banks or moved and didn’t tell the department, you reported new income, your household changed, or an overpayment is being recovered. Overpayments are usually taken back at 5% of your benefit. For overpayment questions, call 1-877-520-8800.
Watch for scams. Income Support never charges a fee and never asks for gift cards or your banking password by text or email. If a message says your benefit is on hold, call 1-877-729-7888 yourself.
Other help you might be missing
- NL Disability Benefit: up to $400 a month if you’re 18 to 64 with the Disability Tax Credit, and it doesn’t reduce Income Support.
- Canada Disability Benefit: up to $204.20 a month from July 2026 to June 2027, also not counted against Income Support.
- Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit: paid every three months when you file taxes. The NL Income Supplement and NL Seniors’ Benefit are paid with it.
- Canada Child Benefit: monthly help for parents. Budget 2026 also extended the NL Child Benefit to 3,000 more children.
- Guaranteed Income Supplement: if you’re 65 or older with low income, apply as soon as you can.
Common questions
What days is Income Support paid in Newfoundland?
On the 1st and 16th of each month, by direct deposit. Cheques are mailed to arrive by those dates. The calendar at the top of this page shows the upcoming dates.
How much is Income Support for a single person in NL?
Since September 2025, a single adult gets $561 a month plus up to $522 for rent if living alone, and a fuel supplement of $71 on the Island or $132 in Labrador.
How long does it take to get approved?
The department’s process runs about 30 days from when your application is registered to a decision. Calling 1-877-729-7888 is the fastest way to start.
Can I have savings and still get Income Support?
Yes, up to $6,000 in liquid assets for one person or $11,000 for two or more people. RRSPs worth up to $20,000 aren’t counted.
Will the NL Disability Benefit reduce my Income Support?
No. Since July 2025, you keep your full Income Support while getting the NL Disability Benefit and the Canada Disability Benefit.