Heating Assistance Rebate Program (HARP)
Apply between October 16, 2017 and March 31, 2018.
The Heating Assistance Rebate Program (HARP) helps with the cost of home heating for low-income Nova Scotians who pay for their own heat. Rebates range from $100 to $200. You can apply between October 16, 2017 and March 31, 2018.
Eligibility
To qualify for the rebate, you must pay for your own heat and meet 1 of the following criteria:
- have a net income of $29,000 or less and live alone with no kids or dependents
- have a combined net income of $44,000 or less and live with kids, dependents, or other adults
- receive income assistance from the Department of Community Services
- receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement or the Allowance from Service Canada
If your personal or financial situation has changed since last year, you still may qualify. Examples of changes include becoming widowed, getting divorced or separated, losing your job, or having the custody of your children change. Contact Service Nova Scotia to find out if you qualify.
Rebate Amount
Your rebate amount is based on your income.
| Household income if you live alone | Household income if you live with kids, dependants, or other adults | Rebate |
|---|---|---|
| GIS or Income Assistance | GIS or Income Assistance | $200 |
| $27,000 or less | $42,000 or less | $200 |
| $27,001 – $27,500 | $42,001 – $42,500 | $175 |
| $27,501 – $28,000 | $42,501 – $43,000 | $150 |
| $28,001 – $28,500 | $43,001 – $43,500 | $125 |
| $28,501 – $29,000 | $43,501 – $44,000 | $100 |
How long it takes
If you include all the necessary information, you will receive your rebate within 8 weeks after we receive your application.
Applying online is the fastest way to apply, and direct deposit rebates are the faster way to receive your rebate. If your income tax refund is direct deposited, your heating assistance rebate will be too. If not, your rebate will be mailed to you.
Times will vary for receiving rebates depending on how applicants apply and what format they receive their rebates.
If you apply online, you can check the status of your HARP application online.
Before you apply
To complete the application, you must have a heating bill or receipt for oil, electricity, natural gas, wood, wood pellets, coal, or other heating source. It must be dated between January 1, 2017 and March 31, 2018.
You also need a social insurance number and date of birth for you and any other adults in your home.
You may also need:
- 2016 CRA notice of assessment for you and any other adults in your home
- proof of change in marital status
- landlord declaration form if you rent and pay for your own heat
- firewood declaration form if you harvest your own firewood to heat your home
- wood invoice form if you use wood to heat your home but don’t have a receipt
Depending on your situation, you may also need to provide a divorce or separation papers, Canada Child Benefit form, document showing citizenship application, and GST/HST payment information form.
You need to provide the signatures of all adults in the application.
If additional information is required to process your rebate, we may contact you by email.
Ways to apply
Online
You need to upload your heating bill and any other documents. You can do this by scanning the documents or taking a picture of them.
Send your completed and signed HARP application form (PDF 575 kb), heating bill or receipt, and any other required documents to:
Heating Assistance Rebate Program
PO Box 641, CRO
Halifax, NS B3J 2T3
If you’d like to receive a paper application by mail, contact us.
Fax
Fax your completed and signed HARP application form, heating bill or receipt, and any other required documents to: 902-428-2164