• $400 for each eligible household
• Open now: October 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027
• Do you qualify? You pay your own home heat and either live alone with a 2025 net income of $30,000 or less, or live in a household with a combined 2025 net income of $45,000 or less. You may also qualify if you receive Income Assistance, GIS or the Allowance.

Apply online now

Need help applying? Call my constituency office at 902-404-4393 email info@rickburnsmla.ca, or send a message through my contact form. If you cannot apply online, paper forms are available.

Last updated: October 2026

The Heating Assistance Rebate Program (HARP) helps low-income Nova Scotians with the cost of home heating. It is often called the “Nova Scotia heating rebate.”

• Rebate amount: $400 for each household
• Application period: October 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027
• Cost to apply: free
• How to apply: online at the provincial application, or with the paper application form (PDF) if you cannot apply online. Paper applications must be postmarked no later than March 31, 2027. To receive a paper form by mail, contact the program.

Eligible heating costs: heating oil, electric heat, natural gas heat, wood, wood pellets, coal and other heating sources.

Not eligible: heating included in rent, electricity use under 5,000 kWh per year, and heating for investment or income, seasonal or recreation, or commercial or business properties. See the Home Heating Costs Factsheet for details.

You must pay for your own home (residential) heat and meet one of the following:

• Have a 2025 net income of $30,000 or less and live alone with no kids or dependents
• Have a combined 2025 net household income of $45,000 or less and live with kids, dependents or other adults (to qualify as a single parent, you must receive the Canada Child Benefit)
• Receive Income Assistance from the Department of Opportunities and Social Development
• Receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or the Allowance from Service Canada

If your personal or financial situation has changed significantly since you filed your 2025 income tax, you may still qualify. Contact Service Nova Scotia to find out.

• All adults on the application available to sign the form
• Social Insurance Number and date of birth of all adults in your home

You may also need supporting documents, such as:

• Your 2025 Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment and those of other adults in your home
• Canada Child Benefit form
• Not sure where to find your net income? It is on line 23600 of your tax return. See also the program factsheet
• Proof of change in marital status
• Death certificate for your spouse or partner, if applicable

The program may ask for a heating bill or receipt, and your application cannot be processed until you provide it. To avoid delays, include one with your application if this is your first time applying, you have moved since you last received the rebate, or you live in a multiple-unit dwelling. Bills and receipts need your name and home address, the date of purchase or delivery, details and cost of the heating, and the name and address of the supplier.

The Department of Service Nova Scotia will never text or email you for banking information, or ask you to click a link to “deposit” your rebate. If you get a message like that, do not respond. Only apply through the official links on this page.

• 2026-27 applications: OPEN (deadline: March 31, 2027)
• Payment timing: it should take about 8 weeks to receive your rebate, and longer if more information is needed or the application was not filled in correctly
• How you are paid: if your income tax refund is direct deposited, your rebate is too. Otherwise it is mailed to you.

The Department of Service Nova Scotia will never text or email you for banking information or ask you to click a link to “deposit” your rebate.

Apply online now

• Seniors Care Grant – help with household, healthcare and home heating costs for seniors
• Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program – for homeowners switching from oil

Q: Is the heating assistance rebate program open now?
A: Yes. Applications are open from October 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.

Q: Can seniors apply for both the Seniors Care Grant and the heating rebate?
A: Possibly, depending on income and household details. Check eligibility for both.

Q: How much is the NS heating rebate?
A: $400 for each eligible household.

Q: How long does it take to receive the rebate?
A: About 8 weeks, and it can take longer if more information is needed.

Already applied? You can check your application status online if you applied online.

Information on this page comes from the Government of Nova Scotia. Please check there for the latest details.

Questions about the rebate or need a hand with the application? Contact my office.