Apply for a survivors of gender-based violence housing benefit
The Survivors of Gender-based Violence Benefit provides emergency support to help survivors of gender-based violence with the cost of their rent or mortgage.
Apply online for help with the cost of your rent or mortgage.
The Survivors of Gender-based Violence Benefit provides individuals and families who need to leave their home because of gender-based violence with monthly housing support. The benefit helps cover rent or mortgage costs during your transition.
You can also receive the housing benefit if the person responsible for the violence has recently left the home where the violence or abuse occurred.
As long as you’re eligible, you continue getting the housing benefit for a second year.
Housing benefit calculation
In the first year, the amount you get each month for the housing benefit is based on your household composition and the number of bedrooms you need (not the number of bedrooms you have). Your household composition is the number of people in your household and their age, gender and relationship to you.
Eligibility
You can apply for the housing benefit if you meet all of the following criteria:
- you recently left or are planning to leave your home due to experiencing gender-based violence or the person who committed gender-based violence has recently left your home where the violence occurred
- you’re getting help from an approved referral agency
- you live in Nova Scotia
- you’re a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or have made a claim for refugee protection (refugee claimants must be fleeing violence that occurred in Nova Scotia and need to show that they have a scheduled hearing with the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada)
Only 1 person per household can apply.
You can't apply for the housing benefit if you already receive funding from another government program to help with the cost of your rent (like the Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit) or your rental unit is subsidized by government (contact the program to see if you can still apply).
You can continue to receive the housing benefit for a second year if you meet the eligibility requirements. You need to complete a renewal form that includes your household composition, total pre-tax (gross) household income and the rent (or mortgage) that you pay. You also need to have a total pre-tax (gross) household income below the current household income limits for the housing benefit. If you continue to receive the housing benefit for a second year, the amount you get each month may be different than the amount you received during the first year.
Review detailed program and eligibility criteria (including the housing benefit amount, how the housing benefit is calculated and approved referral agencies) in the Survivors of Gender-based Violence Benefit Guide.
How to apply
- Review detailed program and eligibility criteria in the Survivors of Gender-based Violence Benefit Guide.
- Have an approved referral agency complete the Referral Agency Attestation Form.
- Apply online for the funding.
- Check the application for details on all required supporting documents.
- Submit your completed application and supporting documents.
How long it takes
It should take 2 weeks for the Department of Growth and Development to review your application and let you know if your application is approved. It can take longer if more information is needed or if your application hasn’t been filled in correctly.
Cost
There is no cost to apply.
Before you start
Make sure you:
- review the approved referral agencies
- have a referral agency available to complete the Referral Agency Attestation Form
- have the Social Insurance Number for all household members 18 or older who are not in school
- have a copy of your lease (your application can’t be processed until a copy of your lease is provided)
Apply online
When you apply online you need to create an account or sign in.
You can use the Survivors of Gender-based Violence Benefit Application (PDF 465 kB) if you’re unable to apply online. Send your completed application and supporting documents by mail or email.