Caregiver Benefit

The Caregiver Benefit Program, formerly known as the Caregiver Allowance, recognizes the important role of caregivers in their efforts to assist loved ones and friends.

The program is targeted at low income care recipients who have a high level of disability or impairment as determined by a home care assessment. If the caregiver and the care recipient both qualify for the program, the caregiver will receive the Caregiver Benefit of $400 per month.

Eligibility Checklist

The person receiving care must:

Caregiver Benefit Program Policy

Read the Caregiver Benefit Program Policy (PDF)

Questions and Answers

How does it work?

Both the caregiver and the person she/he provides care to must meet the program's eligibility criteria. This is determined through an assessment process completed by a Continuing Care, Care Coordinator.

The benefit is reportable income. Caregivers should contact Canada Revenue Agency regarding any questions about its tax implications.

How is the eligibility of the person receiving care determined for the Caregiver Benefit program?

She/he must have a care assessment completed by a Continuing Care Coordinator and have a very high level of impairment or disability which requires significant care over time.

She/he must have a care relationship with a caregiver (who must also meet program eligibility criteria) that is ongoing and expected to extend beyond 90 days.

Finally, she/he must consent to undergo an income test. Only care recipients in a low income category will qualify for this program.

How does the assessment of the person receiving care work?

Continuing Care Coordinators use an assessment method called the "Method of Assigning Priority Levels" or MAPLe© to identify applicants who meet the program eligibility requirements. After a comprehensive assessment of their needs, applicants are scored from one to five, with MAPLe© 1 being low needs. One of the eligibility criteria for the Caregiver Benefit Program is a MAPLe© score of 5 (very high needs).

Applicants who are assessed as a MAPLe© 5 (very high needs) have some combination of:

• Significant memory loss and memory problems that affect daily functioning;
• Many challenges with managing their personal needs;
• Serious behavior problems;
• A high risk of falls;
• A high risk of institutionalization.

On December 1, 2010, the program expanded to include applicants who have a MAPLe© score of 4 and either a Cognitive Performance Scale (CPS)© score of 4 or more, or an Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Self Performance Hierarchy Scale © score of 3 or more. The Cognitive Performance Scale gives an indication of the level of decision making a person is capable of. The Activities of Daily Living scale gives an indication of the level of physical ability a person is capable of.

Applicants who are assessed as MAPLe© 4 and CPS© 4+ or MAPLe© 4 and ADL© 3+ have some combination of:

• Very poor memory;
• A high risk of falls;
• A high risk of institutionalization;
• Many challenges with managing their personal needs.

How does the income test work?

The person receiving care must have a net household income which places him/her in the home care Client Income Category A as determined through the current home care program fee determination process.

For example, to qualify for the Caregiver Benefit Program a care recipient who is single or widowed can have an annual net income of up to $18, 785. A married care recipient can have an annual net household income of up to $35,570.

"Net income" is the income identified on line 236 of the Federal Income Tax Return, or in the Notice of Assessment provided by the Canada Revenue Agency.

How is the eligibility of the caregiver determined?

An eligible caregiver must be 19 years of age, a resident of Nova Scotia and be providing 20 or more hours of assistance per week to a family member or friend who lives in the community and who also meets the program eligibility criteria. The caregiver must be in a care giving relationship with the person she/he is caring for that is ongoing, regular and expected to extend beyond 90 days.

The caregiver cannot already be receiving payment to provide assistance to the person for whom she/he is providing care.

Finally, the caregiver must be willing to sign an agreement which defines the terms and conditions for receiving the Caregiver Benefit.

How do I apply for the Caregiver Benefit?

Please call 1-800-225-7225 to apply for the Caregiver Benefit. If you are already receiving Continuing Care services, contact your Continuing Care Coordinator.

If you are unable to immediately access the 1-800-225-7225, please try again. For those who leave recorded messages, staff will return all calls as soon as possible.