Welfare Benefits In New Brunswick

The amount of welfare money a person receives in New Brunswick depends on their household size and circumstances. For example, in the 2022-2023 fiscal year, a single person with no dependents would receive $259 per month, while a single parent with one child would receive $1,107 per month, and a couple with two children would receive $1,564 per month. These amounts are just examples, and the actual amount received depends on individual circumstances. In addition to the basic monthly rates, individuals may also be eligible for additional benefits such as housing assistance, prescription drug coverage, and childcare assistance.

Welfare income components

Basic social assistance payments are provided to individuals based on the number of members of their household and their employability. There are three rate programs: Transitional Assistance, Transitional Assistance Single Employable, and Extended Benefits. Most families are provided assistance under the Transitional Assistance program. This includes single-person households who are able to work and those with temporary medical problems. The Extended Benefits program is for those who are certified by the Medical Advisory Board as blind, deaf, or disabled.

In addition to basic monthly rates, individuals may also be eligible for additional benefits, such as housing assistance, prescription drug coverage, and childcare assistance. The amount of additional benefits received depends on the individual's needs. For example, a single person with no dependents would receive $259 per month, while a single parent with one child would receive $1,107 per month.

Federal and provincial child benefits are also available for households with children. The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a federal benefit that is provided to households with children under the age of 18. The New Brunswick Child Tax Benefit is a provincial benefit that is also available to qualifying families with children.

Finally, individuals and households may also be eligible for federal and provincial tax credits and/or benefits. The GST/HST credit is a federal tax credit that is available to individuals and families with low and modest incomes. The New Brunswick Harmonized Sales Tax Credit is a provincial tax credit that is also available to individuals and families with low incomes.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for Social Assistance/Welfare in New Brunswick, you must meet the following criteria:

Residency

You must be a legal resident of New Brunswick and have resided in the province for at least three months.

Citizenship or Permanent Residency

You must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.

Income Requirements

Your household income must fall below a certain level to qualify for financial assistance. The specific income limits vary depending on the size of your household and your circumstances.

Assets and Resources

You must not have more than a certain amount of assets and resources to qualify for assistance. Assets include savings, investments, and property. Resources include vehicles, personal belongings, and other items of value.

Employment

You must be actively seeking employment or participating in a program that helps you prepare for or find work.

Ability to Work

You must be physically and mentally able to work, unless you have a disability that prevents you from working.

Dependents

If you have dependents, such as children or spouses, they must also meet the eligibility criteria.

Criminal Convictions

You must not have a history of serious criminal convictions.

Verification of Information

You will be required to provide documentation to verify your income, assets, residency, and other relevant information.

Additional benefits

In addition to the basic monthly rates, individuals may also be eligible for additional benefits, such as housing assistance, prescription drug coverage, and child care assistance. The amount of additional benefits received will depend on the individual's needs. Here is a list of some of the additional benefits that welfare recipients in New Brunswick can expect:

• Housing Assistance: The Canada-New Brunswick Housing Benefit (CNBHB) provides financial assistance to help low-income individuals and families with the cost of rent or mortgage payments. The Emergency Shelter Allowance (ESA) provides short-term financial assistance to those facing homelessness or at risk of eviction.
• Prescription Drug Coverage: The Social Assistance program provides prescription drug coverage for eligible recipients to ensure that people with low incomes can afford the medications they need.
• Dental Care Coverage: The New Brunswick Seniors' Dental Program offers basic dental care coverage for low-income seniors aged 65 and over. The Social Assistance program also provides emergency dental care coverage for eligible recipients.
• Child Care Assistance: The Child Care Assistance Program provides financial assistance to help low-income families with childcare costs. The Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) program provides subsidies for childcare services in regulated and non-regulated settings.
• Employment Support: The Social Assistance program offers employment support services, including job training, resume writing assistance, and job placement assistance, to help eligible recipients find and keep employment.
• Medical Transportation Assistance: The Social Assistance program assists with the cost of transportation to and from medical appointments for eligible recipients.
• Special Benefits/Supplements: The Social Assistance program provides special benefits and supplements to help eligible recipients with additional needs, such as the cost of household setup, school supplies, and emergency food and fuel.

These are just a few examples of the additional benefits available to individuals and families receiving welfare in New Brunswick. The range of support services aims to help meet basic needs and improve the quality of life for those facing financial challenges.

Cost-of-living payments

In 2022, all households in New Brunswick received additional payments from both the provincial and federal governments to help with the increased cost of living. The provincial government provided a one-time Emergency Food and Fuel Benefit of $225 for individuals and $450 for families in June 2022. The federal government provided a one-time GST credit payment in November 2022, equivalent to the two regular GST credit payments received in the latter half of the year.

The total welfare income for households in New Brunswick includes basic social assistance payments, additional social assistance payments, federal and provincial child benefits (for households with children), and federal and provincial tax credits and/or benefits. The total welfare income can be higher for households with special health or disability-related needs.

The basic social assistance payments are called Transitional Assistance (TA) benefits and Extended Benefits (EB). The TA benefits are provided to unattached singles considered employable and households with children, while the EB benefits are provided to unattached singles with disabilities. The basic benefit amounts are indexed to inflation and were increased in April 2020.

In addition to the basic social assistance payments, households may receive regular additional benefits. For example, a single person with a disability may receive a Disability Supplement of $1,200 per year, while households with children may receive an Income Supplement Benefit of $1,224 per year.

The federal child benefits include the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), which is provided to households with children and increases with inflation. The provincial child benefits include the New Brunswick Child Tax Benefit of $250 per child per year.

The federal and provincial tax credits and benefits include the GST/HST credit, which is provided to all households, and the New Brunswick Harmonized Sales Tax Credit, which is worth $300 per year for unattached singles, $600 for a single parent with one child, and $800 for a couple with two children.

Welfare income changes

The welfare income of New Brunswick residents has changed over time, with fluctuations in the total amounts received by different household types. The welfare income for unattached singles considered employable remained relatively stable at around $5,000 per year between 1986 and 2009. A significant increase occurred after 2009 due to a policy change that made unattached singles eligible for higher benefits through Transitional Assistance. However, from 2010 to 2019, their welfare income gradually declined. The increase in 2020 was mainly attributed to COVID-19 pandemic-related payments, followed by a decline in 2022 due to the loss of these additional payments and the impact of high inflation.

For unattached singles with a disability, the welfare income started at a higher level of $17,144 and remained in that range until 1994, after which it dropped by nearly $4,000. From 1994 onwards, their welfare income stabilised at around $12,000 until 2022. Similar to other groups, the increase in 2020 was influenced by COVID-19-related support, and the decrease in 2022 can be attributed to the absence of these additional funds and rising inflation.

Households with children experienced a general increase in welfare income between 1989 and 2017, followed by a more substantial increase from 2015 onwards due to changes in federal child benefits. A slight dip occurred between 2017 and 2019, followed by a small increase in 2020, driven by COVID-19-related financial aid. The decrease between 2020 and 2022 resulted from the discontinuation of COVID-related payments and the effects of inflation.

In 2022, the welfare income of a single parent with one child was $21,657, a 12% decrease compared to 2021. For a couple with two children, the welfare income was $28,664, a 7% drop compared to the previous year. These decreases in welfare income highlight the impact of rising inflation and the absence of pandemic-related financial support.

The welfare income amounts provided above are based on 2022 data and reflect the financial support provided to eligible individuals and families in New Brunswick through the Social Assistance Program. The amounts received vary based on household size, income, and specific circumstances, with additional benefits available for those with special health or disability-related needs.

Frequently asked questions