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Disability income and supports in Nova Scotia: how to apply

The provincial disability income program of Nova Scotia, who qualifies and how to apply, from the official pages. The federal Canada Disability Benefit is described in our national guide.

Provincial disability programs

Disability Support Program (DSP): for adults 19 or older who are lawfully in Canada, live in Nova Scotia and have a valid health card, with a qualifying diagnosis (for example an intellectual disability) documented by a physician, psychologist or nurse practitioner. Apply at the Department of Opportunities and Social Development office nearest you with a functional assessment, program application and financial assessment. Direct Family Support for Children covers children under 19 living at home. The policy documents are old and use former department names: confirm the current rules.

Official page ↗

Benefit amounts and asset limits change and some pages disagree, so most are not listed. Apply for every other income you may qualify for (Canada Disability Benefit, CPP disability, EI, workers' compensation): programs often require it. Rules, fees and programs change and were read on 2026-11-14: confirm with the official source. General information, not legal advice. Quebec follows its own rules: see atlasquebec.ca.

Guides for this province