The Nova Scotia Caregiver Benefit pays $400 a month to an unpaid caregiver who gives at least 20 hours of help a week to a low-income adult with high care needs. Both the caregiver and the person getting care have to qualify, and Nova Scotia Health Continuing Care decides after an assessment. The province pays it at the beginning of each month it covers, but it doesn’t publish exact payment dates.
How much you’ll get
The benefit is a flat amount. It doesn’t go up or down with your income or the number of hours you give. These are Nova Scotia’s figures as of September 2026:
| What | Figure |
|---|---|
| Monthly payment to the caregiver | $400 a month |
| Who is paid | The caregiver, not the person getting care |
| Caregivers paid per person getting care | One |
| Benefits one caregiver can get | One, even if you care for more than one person |
The $400 rate is set in the province’s Caregiver Benefit Program Policy, which has been in effect since July 2, 2021. Nova Scotia hasn’t announced a change since then.
Who qualifies
The person getting care must:
- be 19 or older and live in Nova Scotia, with a valid Nova Scotia health card (or be in the process of getting one)
- have a net household income in Category A of the province’s home care income table (see below)
- be assessed by a Nova Scotia Health care coordinator as having a high level of impairment or disability that needs significant care over time
- have a caregiving relationship that is ongoing and regular and expected to last more than 90 days
The caregiver must:
- be 19 or older and live in Nova Scotia
- give at least 20 hours of help a week with daily tasks such as personal care, meals, housework, medications, errands or supervision
- not be paid to care for this person
- sign an agreement with the Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care and Nova Scotia Health that sets out the terms
The caregiver can be a spouse, another family member, a friend or a neighbour. Two caregivers can’t add their hours together to reach 20, and one caregiver can’t combine the help they give to two different people.
The income limit
Category A is the lowest income group in the home care income table. It uses net income, which is line 23600 of the federal tax return (Nova Scotia’s page still calls it line 236). The current table has been in effect since March 7, 2025:
| Family size | Net yearly income in Category A |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $31,661 or less |
| 2 people | $46,662 or less |
| 3 or more people | $56,663 or less |
Nova Scotia Health confirms your income group during the assessment, so call even if you’re close to the limit.
What the assessment looks for
People assessed as having high care needs usually have some mix of memory loss or trouble with decisions and communication, a high level of physical impairment, difficulty managing personal care, serious behaviour problems, a high risk of falls, or a high risk of needing long-term care.
How to apply
- Call Nova Scotia Health Continuing Care toll-free at 1-800-225-7225, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, seven days a week. The person needing care, the caregiver, or someone else with the person’s consent can call. Have the person’s name and health card number ready.
- If the program looks like a fit, you’re referred to a care coordinator, who meets with you to assess the person’s care needs and check both of you against the rules.
- If you both qualify, the caregiver signs the Caregiver Benefit agreement.
- A care coordinator reviews your situation at least once a year to confirm you still qualify.
Access depends on available funding. If there’s a waitlist, Nova Scotia Health puts people with the highest assessed needs first, then by date.
Payment dates and how it’s paid
Under the program policy, the Caregiver Benefit is paid at the beginning of the month that the money is for. Nova Scotia doesn’t publish a payment calendar or a specific day, so there are no dates in the panel above this article. Your care coordinator can tell you which day your payment usually arrives and whether it comes by direct deposit or cheque.
The benefit is reportable income. Nova Scotia says caregivers should contact the Canada Revenue Agency (1-800-959-8281) about how it affects their taxes.
The benefit isn’t counted as income when Nova Scotia sets home care fees or long-term care charges for the person you care for.
Payment late, missing or stopped?
Check with your bank first. If the payment still hasn’t arrived a few business days into the month, call your care coordinator or Continuing Care at 1-800-225-7225. Nova Scotia doesn’t publish a set number of days to wait.
Common reasons a payment stops:
- A break in care of more than 30 days. If the person goes into hospital or a respite bed, or you’re sick or away, the benefit can continue for up to one month. Tell the care coordinator if the break lasts, or is expected to last, more than 30 days.
- A move into long-term care. The benefit ends when the person is admitted to a regular long-term care bed.
- A change in eligibility. It also ends if either of you no longer meets the rules, if you can no longer give care, or if the person dies.
Watch for scams. The government never asks for a payment or gift cards to release a benefit. If a call, text or email asks for money or your banking details to “unlock” a payment, don’t click or reply. Contact the program yourself using the numbers on this page, and see our scam guide.
Other help you might be missing
- Nova Scotia Seniors Care Grant: a yearly grant for low-income seniors 65 and older to help with household, healthcare and home heating costs.
- Canada Caregiver Credit and EI caregiving benefits: a federal tax credit for people who support an infirm family member, and paid leave from work for caregivers.
- Guaranteed Income Supplement: a monthly federal top-up for low-income seniors on OAS.
- Benefits checkup: answer a few questions to see what else you may be able to get.
Common questions
How much is the Nova Scotia Caregiver Benefit?
It’s $400 a month, paid to the caregiver. The amount is the same for everyone who qualifies.
Can a spouse get the Caregiver Benefit?
Yes. The caregiver can be a spouse, family member, friend or neighbour, as long as they aren’t paid for the care and give at least 20 hours of help a week.
What is the income limit for the Caregiver Benefit in Nova Scotia?
The person getting care must be in Category A of the home care income table. Since March 7, 2025, that’s net income of $31,661 or less for one person, $46,662 or less for two, and $56,663 or less for three or more.
When is the Caregiver Benefit paid?
At the beginning of each month it covers. Nova Scotia doesn’t publish exact dates, so ask your care coordinator which day to expect it.
Is the Nova Scotia Caregiver Benefit taxable?
Nova Scotia says it’s reportable income and tells caregivers to contact the Canada Revenue Agency about the tax effects.
What happens if the person I care for goes into hospital?
The benefit can continue for up to 30 days. If the stay lasts longer, tell your care coordinator; the benefit stops after a break of more than a month.