Nova Scotia’s provincial government offers support to residents facing high home heating costs through the Heating Assistance Rebate Program (HARP).
If you’re wondering how to apply, whether you qualify, and when deadlines fall, this article lays everything out using the latest government data and announcements.
What is the Nova Scotia Heating Rebate (HARP)?
The Nova Scotia Heating Rebate 2025, under HARP, is a program designed to help low- and modest-income Nova Scotians offset heating expenses in their homes.
It covers many heating fuels such as oil, electricity, wood, propane, and natural gas.
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The rebate is a fixed value paid per household to those who meet eligibility criteria.
The program is run by the provincial government via the “Heating Assistance Rebate Program” page.
Who is eligible for the Nova Scotia Heating Rebate 2025?
To receive the Nova Scotia Heating Rebate 2025, you must satisfy several conditions as outlined by the program:
- You must pay directly for your home heating (i.e. heating is not included in rent).
- Your net income must be within program limits. For the 2024-25 season, a single-person household’s net income must be $55,000 or less, and for a multi-person household $75,000 or less.
- Households receiving Income Assistance, Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), or the Allowance from Service Canada may automatically qualify.
- You may need to provide proof of heating usage, such as a heating bill or invoices, or in the case of firewood use, a firewood declaration form.
The program is open to both homeowners and renters — as long as you directly pay for heat.
How much is the Nova Scotia Heating Rebate 2025?
For the 2024–25 season, the HARP rebate is $600 per eligible household.
This amount is consistent across qualifying households regardless of the type of heating fuel used, as long as eligibility criteria are met.
When can you apply for the Nova Scotia Heating Rebate 2025?
The application window for the Nova Scotia Heating Rebate 2025 (2024–25 heating season) opened on October 1, 2024.
Applications for that season closed on March 31, 2025.
In fact, the government’s application page currently states that the 2024–25 rebate period is over and that applications are closed.
For future seasons (e.g., “2025–26”), the program is expected to open again around October 1, 2025, though official confirmation must come from the province.
How to apply for the Nova Scotia Heating Rebate 2025
Here’s the step-by-step process for applying under HARP:
- Visit the application portal — go to the Nova Scotia government’s “Apply for a heating assistance rebate” page.
- Use supporting forms, if applicable:
- Firewood Declaration Form (if you use wood for heating)
- Landlord Declaration Form (if you rent and pay for heating separately)
- Wood Invoice Form (if you use wood and don’t have a conventional receipt)
- Provide required documentation:
- Social Insurance Number (SIN), date of birth, and signatures for adult residents
- Notice of Assessment (income tax) or proof of income for the qualifying year
- Receipts or bills for heating fuel, or a statement showing consumption
- Landlord declaration if you’re a renter and pay for heat separately
- Submit the application online via the portal, or by mail to the address listed on the form. Also, paper applications may be available at Access Nova Scotia, MLA offices, Department of Community Services offices, or other government service points.
- Wait for processing — if your application is accepted, the rebate is typically paid several weeks after the close date, provided all information is correct and documentation is verified.
What happens after the application and where payments go?
Once processed, the $600 rebate is issued to eligible households that meet the criteria and are submitted on time.
Payments may be delivered via direct deposit or by cheque, depending on how you choose to receive them.
The province may contact you later for verification or supporting documentation, such as bills or proof of heating usage.
Because applications for the 2024–25 season are now closed, the current status page says you can no longer apply for that period.