Applying For Social Assistance In New Brunswick

If you're a resident of New Brunswick and are struggling to make ends meet, you may be eligible for the province's Social Assistance program. This program provides financial support to low-income residents who need help covering basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, and utilities. The benefit amount you receive will depend on your household size and income level, but it can be as high as $1,260 per month. To apply, you'll need to gather information such as your address, rental or mortgage costs, and the names, birthdates, and Social Insurance Numbers of all household members. You can then call the Department of Social Development to be screened for eligibility. If you qualify, they will schedule an appointment for you to enrol in the program and submit any required documents.

Who is eligible for social assistance in New Brunswick?

The Social Assistance Program in New Brunswick provides financial aid to individuals and families in need to help meet their basic needs such as food, rent, utilities, and clothing. Eligibility for social assistance is based on household income and the number of members in the household. Households with lower total incomes are more likely to be eligible for financial aid.

There are three types of rate programs: Transitional Assistance, Transitional Assistance Single Employable, and the Extended Benefits Program. The Transitional Assistance program is for those who are employable and those who require support and intervention to become employable. This includes single persons who are able to work and those with temporary medical problems. Most families are provided assistance under this program. The Transitional Assistance Single Employable program is for single-person households who do not have a designation and are not certified as blind, deaf, or disabled. This includes those who are unable to work for 6 months or more due to a medical condition, those who are 7 months pregnant, and those who are 55 or older. The Extended Benefits Program is for those who are certified by the Medical Advisory Board as blind, deaf, or disabled, as well as some clients who have been on assistance for many years and who have a Special Designation.

In addition to the basic social assistance payments, households in New Brunswick that qualify may also be eligible for recurring additional social assistance payments from the province, federal and provincial child benefits (for households with children), and federal and provincial tax credits and/or benefits. These additional components can increase a household's total welfare income. For example, in 2022, all example households received additional payments from the provincial and federal governments related to the increased cost of living due to high inflation.

How to apply for social assistance in New Brunswick

The province of New Brunswick provides a social assistance program for residents who need financial support. The program is administered by the Department of Social Development and offers monthly payments to help cover the cost of basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, and utilities.

To apply for social assistance in New Brunswick, follow these steps:

Step 1: Gather Necessary Information and Documents

First, ensure that you have all the required information and documents needed for your application. This includes:

• Your residence address (if applicable) and rental or mortgage costs.
• For each member of your household, you will need their first and last name, birthdate, Medicare number, and Social Insurance Number (SIN).
• Information on income and assets for each household member, including employment, child support, and Employment Insurance.

Step 2: Contact the Department of Social Development

Call the Department of Social Development at 1-833-733-7835 for screening. A representative will ask you a series of questions to determine your eligibility. During this call, you will provide the information and details you gathered in Step 1.

Step 3: Schedule an Appointment and Submit Documents

If you are eligible for social assistance, an appointment will be scheduled for you to enroll in the program and submit the required documents to the department.

Additional Information:

• There are Social Development regional offices in the Acadian Peninsula, Chaleur, Edmundston, Fredericton, Miramichi, Moncton, Restigouche, and Saint John areas.
• The amount of financial assistance you may receive will depend on your household income and the number of members in your household.
• In addition to basic needs coverage, you may also qualify for additional benefits such as health cards, medical transportation coverage, and the Rent Supplement Assistance Program.

What documents are required for the application?

To apply for social assistance in New Brunswick, you will need to gather some necessary information and documents. This includes your residence address, if applicable, and your rental or mortgage costs.

You will also need to provide the following documents and details for each member of your household:

Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Once you have gathered all the required information and documents, you can call the Department of Social Development at 1-833-733-7835 for screening. A representative will ask you a series of questions to determine your eligibility. If you qualify for Income Assistance, you will be scheduled for an appointment to enroll in the program and submit the required documents.

It is important to note that eligibility for Income Assistance in New Brunswick is based on your total household income. If your total household income is less than the prescribed rate for your family type, you will likely qualify for financial benefits under the program. All sources of income are considered when assessing eligibility, including Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Pension Plan (CPP) benefits, Old Age Security (OAS) benefits, worker's compensation payments, and various lump-sum payments.

What is the contact number for social assistance?

If you have any questions about the New Brunswick Social Assistance program, you can contact the Department of Social Development at 1-833-733-7835. This is a toll-free number that you can call to get screened for eligibility. A representative from the department will ask you a series of questions to determine your eligibility. If you qualify for Income Assistance, they will schedule an appointment for you to enrol in the program and submit the required documents.

The Department of Social Development provides monthly payments to eligible individuals to help cover the cost of basic needs, such as food, clothing, shelter, and utilities. The benefit amount you may receive will depend on the number of members in your household and the rate category you fall into, with amounts as high as $1,260.

There are several regional offices of the Department of Social Development located in the Acadian Peninsula, Chaleur, Edmundston, Fredericton, Miramichi, Moncton, Restigouche, and Saint John areas. These offices can provide information and assistance regarding the Social Assistance program.

In addition to the Social Assistance program, the Department of Social Development also offers other financial support programs, such as the Emergency Fuel Benefit, coverage for medical transportation, and the Rent Supplement Assistance Program. These programs provide additional support for eligible individuals and families to help with various costs, including heating, transportation, and rent.

What is the application process for Income Assistance?

The application process for Income Assistance in New Brunswick consists of three steps:

Step 1: Gather the necessary information

Before submitting your application, ensure you have the following information and documents:

• Residence address (if applicable)
• Rental or mortgage costs
• Social Insurance Number (SIN) for each member of your household

Step 2: Screening by the Department of Social Development

Call 1-833-733-7835 to be screened by a representative from the Department of Social Development. They will ask you a series of questions to determine your eligibility.

Step 3: Enrolment and submission of documents

If you qualify for Income Assistance, an appointment will be scheduled for you to enrol in the program and submit the required documents to the department.

The entire application process may take several months to complete.

Frequently asked questions