New Brunswick

Social Assistance Program

Easy application

Tax filing not required

The Social Assistance Program provides people in financial need with help to meet your basic needs such as food, rent, utilities and clothing. The program may also help you with other needs such as childcare, transportation, prescription drugs and more.

You may also benefit from a wide range of programs and services designed to help you manage learning, work and transitional case plans.

In addition to Income Assistance, the Department of Social Development offers several benefits, including:

  • Health Cards
  • Emergency Fuel Benefit
  • Emergency Special Benefits
  • Medical Transportation

To see if you qualify, all the income is added up from all sources of all people who live in your household. If the total household income is less than the rate for your family type, the household is likely eligible to receive financial help. The amount received depends on the total household income.

To determine if you qualify for Income Assistance please see detailed eligibility criteria on the Assets and Incomes.

Social Insurance Number

For example:

  • confirmation of SIN letter
  • plastic SIN card (non-expired)

Health card

For example:

  • valid health card with no photo, name and address
  • valid health card with photo, name and address
  • MCP (Medical Care Plan) number
  • Valid ambulance/dental services card
  • Department of Immigration, Skills and Labour identification number
  • Department of Immigration, Skills and Labour file number (Income Support Card).

Follow these steps to apply for Income Assistance:

Step 1: Gather the following information before you contact the Department of Social Development:

You will be asked to give:

  • Your mailing address
  • The address where you live (if it is different from your mailing address)
  • Your rental or mortgage costs

For every member in the household, you will be asked to give:

  • First and last name
  • Birthdate
  • Medicare number
  • Social Insurance Number (SIN)
  • Income (like employment, child support, Employment Insurance, etc.)
  • Assets (what every family member owns - like a car or a house)

Step 2: Call the provincial number for screening and intakes at 1-833-SDDStel (1-833-733-7835). You will be asked questions to determine if you may be eligible to receive Income Assistance.

Step 3: If you qualify for Income Assistance, an appointment will be scheduled for you to complete the application package and provide required documentation to the department.

Please see this Checklist of Documents to bring to your appointment (pdf).

Last updated: May 17, 2021