Social Assistance Resources: Newfoundland & Labrador

The Newfoundland and Labrador income supplement is a tax-free payment made to low-income individuals and families and persons with disabilities who may be impacted by additional provincial tax measures. The amount is calculated based on your family situation and your adjusted family net income.

This is a provincial tax credit for low-income families who have children under 18 years of age.

These benefits are refundable tax credits that may be paid to low income individuals, seniors and families. A refundable tax credit is an amount paid even if there is no tax payable.

The province supports all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador who have to leave a violent situation. Continuation of income support based on financial circumstances may be available, as well as transportation, start up allowance, and liaison to a social worker.

Contributions of $55 towards the cost of a routine eye exam once every 12 months for children and once every 36 months for adults is available.
A contribution towards the cost of glasses will be provided once every 36 months for adults and once every 12 months for children unless there is medical verification for a more frequent change.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program (NLPDP) Card is provided to you and your family while receiving Income Support. It covers the total cost of eligible prescription medications, including dispensing fees. If you have private health insurance this card can also cover the percentage that your private insurance may not. Should you leave the Income Support caseload due to employment, a drug card can be issued for an extended 12 month period.

The Income Support program no longer covers medical transportation. This service is now provided by the Department of Health and Community Services. Income Support recipients may be eligible for medical transportation assistance and information relating to eligibility can be obtained by calling 1-833-729-6106 or faxing the required information to 729-1918.

This Department determines eligibility for artificial limbs and other medical equipment and supplies provided through the Department of Health and Community Services (HCS). Supplies include such items as glucose monitoring aids, bath aid equipment and wheelchairs. Further information on these services can be obtained by contacting the toll free number for your region.

The Provincial Dental Health Plan is administered by the Newfoundland Medical Care Commission (MCP) which has two programs under HCS:
- Children’s Dental Health Program: this universal program provides services for all children up to and including 12 years of age, and for children 13 to 17 years old whose families are in receipt of Income Support benefits or the Access Plan. Eligible coverage includes fillings, extractions and examinations every two years.
- Adult Dental Health Program: Adults in receipt of Income Support benefits are eligible for an initial exam, two diagnostic x-rays, routine fillings and extractions once every three years. ‘Standard Dentures’ are also available once every eight years. For further information, please visit Department of Health and Community Services.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing we can provide you with a one time only purchase for any of the following services:
- Visual Smoke Detector up to $250.00 including HST
- Alertmaster telephone/doorbell combination system up to $155.00 including HST
- TTY device up to $422.00 including HST
Monthly cost and maintenance associated with these devices is not covered. Verification of your medical condition is required and can be provided by a physician, audiologist, Canadian Hard of Hearing Association or other approved professional.

Financial assistance may be provided to purchase certain foods due to a particular medical condition, such as diabetes. Depending on the condition, you may be eligible for up to $60 a month. To qualify for the special diet allowance you must provide documentation about your condition.

Funds in a Registered Disability Savings Plan (up to $200,000) are exempt from income and asset assessment for Income Support clients who require supportive services (i.e. living with a disability). These accumulated funds will not affect eligibility for Income Support benefits.

This program provides assistance with the cost of services/supports to families with a child (under the age of eighteen years) who has a physical or intellectual disability living at home. The assistance is designed to enable families to purchase items and/or services which are necessary due to the child’s disability. The amount of monthly assistance for each family is determined through a financial needs test.

A Support Trust is a trust fund where the amount and interest, up to a maximum of $100,000, are exempt when determining eligibility for Income Support provided by Advanced Education, Skills and Labour and disability supports provided by Health and Community Services. A Support Trust may be set-up on behalf of a person with a disability over the age of 18 years who requires supportive services.

Accessible Vehicle Funding was established to reduce costs associated with disability and provide an accessible transportation option to individuals and families throughout the Province.
The program supports individuals or families to acquire or adapt personal vehicles for accessibility. This could include installation of hand controls or modifying vans to be equipped with lifts and ramps. The program is income tested.

The Rental Housing Program helps households with low income that cannot obtain suitable and affordable rental housing on the private market.

This program provides money to assist homeowners with low income who require repairs to their homes. The repairs bring houses up to minimum fire and life safety standards, with improvements in basic heating, electrical and plumbing services.

Through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), HMP is designed to provide funding to assist homeowners with low-to-moderate income who require accessibility changes to their residences, to enable individuals to remain in their own homes for a longer period.

A Board and Lodging Supplement is a funding supplement that is available, based on assessed need, to an adult with psychiatric, physical and/or intellectual disabilities, 18 years of age and older, who reside with relatives or non-relatives. These adults have identified needs and require a higher board and lodging rate to live in these arrangements than is usually allowed.

Residential options are available to adults with disabilities who meet program criteria and are unable to reside with the natural family. These include:
- Cooperative Apartment Program
- Alternative Family Care Home Program
- Board and Lodging Supplement
- Individualized Living Arrangements
- Shared Living Arrangements