Income Assistance
This page describes Income Assistance programs and services provided in Nunavut. It also provides information about income assistance programs available to Nunavummiut that are offered by the federal government.
About Income Assistance in Nunavut
The Income Assistance division helps residents achieve goals for independence.
The Income Assistance Program is a program of last resort intended to help Nunavut families and individuals meet their basic needs when for various reasons, including disability, illness, low-income or periods of unemployment, they are unable to provide for themselves.
There is an expectation that you apply to all other programs that you may be entitled to such as employment insurance, various pension programs, worker’s compensation and child maintenance, and that you access all other financial resources that you may have available first, such as money in the bank and RRSPs, before you apply to the government’s program. Annual filing of your annual tax return is also required.
Who Can Apply for Income Assistance:
Any person 18 years of age and older in financial need living in Nunavut may apply for Income Assistance.
Contact your Income Assistance Worker for help with forms and any questions you may have regarding programs.
You will be required to have a monthly financial assessment completed with an Income Assistance Worker.
What to bring to your first appointment:
Copies of all family members’ birth certificate, social insurance number (SIN) and Nunavut health care card.
Find a complete list of other documents to bring here.
Contact
Qikiqtani: 867-473-2615 / 1-800-567-1514
Kivalliq: 867-645-5040 / 1-800-953-8516
Kitikmeot: 867-983-4032 / 1-800-661-0845
Senior Citizen Supplementary Benefit
The Senior Citizen Supplementary Benefit (SCSB) is a monthly payment of $200.00 made to low-income seniors in Nunavut. Nunavut has an agreement with the federal government that automatically includes the SCSB benefit payment to the monthly Old Age Security cheque.
Who Can Participate?
Nunavummiut who are 60 years of age or older and are receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or the Spouse’s Allowance from the federal government are eligible. Filing of income tax is required to access this program.
For more information on Federal Pensions, visit the website.
Senior Fuel Subsidy
The Senior Fuel Subsidy is a program that helps to offset the high cost of heating fuel for seniors who own and live in their homes. Eligible homeowners are reimbursed for the cost of heating fuel, up to 3,500 litres. An income assessment is done to establish whether the net income of the applicant or applicants is within the program limits.
To be eligible for this subsidy, applicants must:
- Permanently reside in Nunavut
- Be 60 years of age or older
- Own and live in the home for which the subsidy is being requested*
- Meet the allowable established income threshold
- NOT be in receipt of income assistance
- Apply each year
Contact
Kivalliq (Rankin Inlet): 867-645-5040 extension 1604 or 1-800-953-8516
Qikiqtani (Panniqtuq): 867-473-2615; 867-473-8800 or 1-800-567-1514
Kitikmeot (Cambridge Bay): 867-983-4082 or 1-800-661-0845
Nunavut Child Benefit
The Nunavut Child Benefit (NUCB) provides low-income families with monthly payments to assist with the cost of raising children. The NUCB is fully funded by the Government of Nunavut and administered by the Canada Revenue Agency.
To qualify, your family must have earned income of at least $3,750 in the previous year. Eligible participants receive up to $275 per year for the first child and $75 for the second child.
The amounts you receive are combined with the Canada Child Tax Benefit into a single monthly, non-taxable payment to qualifying families with children under 18 years of age.
The Nunavut Child Benefit is a cash benefit paid to families with a net income of $20,921 or less. These families receive $330 per year for each eligible child under the age of 18 living at home. The Territorial Worker’s Supplement (TWS) is an additional cash benefit paid to working families with children under the age of 18 living at home.
In order to determine whether you qualify for these benefits administered under the Canada Child Tax Benefit program, you must file your yearly tax returns.
Daycare User Subsidy
The Daycare Subsidy is available to provide financial support to low-income families who reside in Nunavut to help make child care more affordable while they pursue education or training opportunities outside the home.
Who Can Participate?
Applicants must reside in Nunavut and be 18 years of age or older with a child(ren) under the age of 12. Those applying for the subsidy must be employed or enrolled in a training and/or education program.
How to Apply:
Your community Income Assistance Worker can provide you with a Daycare Subsidy application form.