Nova Scotia’s Disability Support Program (DSP) helps adults with an intellectual disability, long-term mental illness or physical disability live in the community. If you rent, own or board, the DSP can pay a monthly Standard Household Rate for food, clothing, shelter, fuel, utilities and personal items. For 2026, a single person who rents or owns gets $1,022 a month.
How much you’ll get
The Standard Household Rate depends on who lives with you and how you live. These are the monthly rates for 2026, which rose 1.6% in January 2026.
| Household | Rent or own | Board | Essentials |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | — | — |
| Single | $1,022 | $655 | $295 |
| Single, 1 child | $1,035 | $674 | $295 |
| Single, 2 or more children | $1,090 | $719 | $295 |
| With spouse | $1,442 | $1,085 | $705 |
| With spouse and children | $1,497 | $1,128 | $705 |
- Rent or own is for participants with their own place.
- Board is for participants who board, for example with family.
- Essentials is for participants temporarily in hospital, a rehabilitation program or a shelter, who aren’t getting another rate or DSP support option.
If your spouse is also in the DSP, you each keep your own file, and any children are counted on only one of your rates. You may also get help with special needs. For example, when a more affordable place isn’t available and certain conditions apply (such as needing barrier-free housing), a flat $216 a month for excess shelter costs can be approved.
Examples from the province. Jamie is single and rents an apartment, so Jamie gets $1,022 a month. Morgan is single and lives with family in the Flex program, so Morgan gets the board rate of $655 a month.
Working and other income
Your household’s income is counted, but you keep part of what you earn. From net wages, self-employment or a training allowance each month:
| Net earnings | Share you keep |
|---|---|
| — | — |
| First $450 | 100% |
| $450.01 to $500 | 75% |
| $500.01 to $750 | 50% |
| Over $750 | 25% |
Example. If you earn $600 in a month, you keep $450 + $37.50 + $50 = $537.50 of it untouched. Only $62.50 goes toward your DSP costs.
Some money isn’t counted at all, including the Canada Disability Benefit, the Canada Child Benefit and Nova Scotia Child Benefit, the GST/HST credit (now the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit), the Nova Scotia Affordable Living Tax Credit, income tax refunds, the Canada Workers Benefit and RDSP payments.
Who qualifies
- You’re 19 or older (there are some exceptions for younger people).
- You live in Nova Scotia, have a valid Nova Scotia health card, and are lawfully in Canada.
- You have a diagnosed intellectual disability, long-term mental illness, or physical disability that causes significant difficulty with two or more activities of daily living. An acquired brain injury may count, depending on your assessment.
- For the Standard Household Rate, you rent, own or board, and you need help with basic needs after your income is counted.
How to apply
- Call the Department of Opportunities and Social Development at 1-877-424-1177.
- Staff will review your disability information, and assess your needs and your income.
- A Care Coordinator works with you on a plan. If you live on your own or are in the Flex program, the Care Coordinator sets up your monthly payment.
- Sign up for direct deposit using the department’s direct deposit form. You can ask for email notices of each payment.
When the DSP is paid
The DSP pays the Standard Household Rate monthly, in advance of the next month, by cheque or direct deposit. If you’re on direct deposit and your monthly amount is at least $100, you can ask to split it into two payments, one at the start and one in the middle of the month.
Nova Scotia doesn’t publish a separate list of DSP payment dates, so we don’t show dates. The Income Assistance delivery dates are on our Nova Scotia Income Assistance page. Ask your Care Coordinator whether your deposits follow the same days.
What changed in 2026
Standard Household Rates went up 1.6% in 2026, the same increase Nova Scotia gave Income Assistance rates, which are indexed to inflation. The single rent-or-own rate is $1,022 a month for 2026.
Payment late, missing or different?
If a payment hasn’t arrived by the day you expected it, check with your bank first. Then call your Care Coordinator or the department at 1-877-424-1177. Mailed cheques can take longer.
Common reasons a payment changes or stops:
- You didn’t report income, or earned more than usual.
- Your living situation changed, for example from renting to boarding.
- An overpayment is being recovered.
- Your bank account changed.
If you disagree with a decision, you can ask for a review and appeal.
Watch for scams. The Nova Scotia government will never ask for a fee, gift cards or your password by text or email. If a message seems off, call your Care Coordinator yourself.
Other help you might be missing
- Canada Disability Benefit: a federal monthly payment that isn’t counted as income by the DSP.
- CPP disability: if you’ve worked and paid into CPP, you may qualify.
- Nova Scotia Income Assistance: for people who don’t meet the DSP criteria.
- Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit: file your taxes each year to get this quarterly credit.
- Canada Child Benefit: not counted as income by the DSP.
Common questions
How much is the Disability Support Program in Nova Scotia?
For 2026, a single person who rents or owns gets a Standard Household Rate of $1,022 a month, or $655 when boarding. Couples and families get more.
Does the Canada Disability Benefit reduce my DSP?
No. The DSP policy lists the Canada Disability Benefit as income that isn’t counted.
Can I work while on the Disability Support Program?
Yes. You keep the first $450 a month of net earnings, plus part of anything above that.
Is the DSP the same as Income Assistance?
No. Both are run by the same department, but the DSP is for people with qualifying disabilities and uses its own rates and rules.
When does the DSP pay?
Monthly, in advance of the month it covers. Ask your Care Coordinator for your deposit dates.