More children from low-income families will qualify for full or partial benefits with changes to the Nova Scotia Child Benefit that take effect Tuesday, July 1.

The Nova Scotia Child Benefit income threshold will rise from $25,000 to $26,000 on July 1, bringing about 1,300 more children under the program’s umbrella.

“Our goal is to provide supports to strengthen our families and communities,” said Joanne Bernard, Minister of Community Services. “The child benefit is an important investment in reducing poverty and promoting employment for families with children.”

Other families already in the program will get a modest improvement, on a graduated scale. Families with incomes between $18,000 and $26,000 qualify for partial benefits, and will receive average increases of $40 a year for one-child families, $100 a year for two-child families and $160 a year for families with three children. This will affect about 10,000 children already covered.

Close to 40,000 children are in the program. Full benefits for families with incomes less than $18,000 are:
— one child $625 a year ($52 monthly)
— two children $825 a year ($68 monthly)
— three children $900 a year ($75 monthly)

The Nova Scotia Child Benefit began in 2001. Everyone who receives it also automatically receives the Canada Child Tax Benefit and the National Child Benefit Supplement.

Source: Release