Additional funding for annual HEAT fund
The Home Energy Assistance Top-up (HEAT) Fund is bringing $2.5 million to more than 6,000 households in Nova Scotia this year, thanks to an added boost of $1.5 million.
Nova Scotia Power Maritime Link Inc. has donated $1.5 million to the fund, according to a press release from The Salvation Army Maritime Division.
The fund, administered by The Salvation Army, provides funding for those experiencing emergency heating situations.
This year, the income thresholds have been adjusted to help more people: $29,000 for one-person households, $47,703 for households two and four people, and $67,937 for households of five or more.
Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services, under the provincial government, and Nova Scotia Power continue to contribute. Annually, the province contributes $800,000 and Nova Scotia Power gives $200,000.
Application guidelines changed during the early days of the pandemic, reducing the gap between applications from two years to one year and making application deadlines indefinite. Last year more than 3,500 households received help. At that time, Nova Scotia Power gave an additional $500,000.
The changes and increased funding are a response to increased financial needs from Nova Scotians during the COVID pandemic.
“We know many Nova Scotians have difficulty making ends meet, especially in these unprecedented times,” says Peter Gregg, president and CEO of Nova Scotia Power, in a release. “Whatever the situation, everyone deserves a warm, comfortable place to call home, and the HEAT Fund is one of the ways we are working to help make that happen.”
The provincial government and The Salvation Army are highly recommending people in need of assistance apply. The application starts in January each year and each household can receive up to $400. Information on how to apply is available through your local Salvation Army corps or online at salvationarmy.ca/maritime/ heat.
Nova Scotia Power also has an opportunity for customers to contribute to the fund through their bills and can find information for signing up on its website.