Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia pharmacare: The Nova Scotia Formulary describes which drugs and devices are benefits within the Pharmacare Programs available in the province.

• The Boarding, Transportation, and Ostomy Program: A provincial program that assists eligible Nova Scotia residents undergoing cancer treatment with support for fees related to boarding, transportation, and ostomy supply needs.
• Drug Assistance for Cancer Patients (DACP):  A provincial drug insurance plan aimed to assist Nova Scotians with the cost of certain cancer-related drugs and supplies. The program is meant to help low-income Nova Scotians who lack drug coverage.

QEII Patient Essentials Fund: The QEII Patient Essentials Fund provides rapid access to gift cards for gas, groceries, and the pharmacy to help with urgent important needs during a patient’s care journey.

Take-Home Cancer Drug Fund | Nova Scotia Health: The Take-Home Cancer Drug Fund is a fund offered through the Nova Scotia Health Authority’s Cancer Care Program. This fund assists patients who are met with extremely high costs for their take-home cancer drugs.

Cancer Support Fund – NSGEU: This fund was established for members or their immediate family who have received a cancer diagnosis, and who need financial support.

On the Front Line Society: On the Front Line Society (breast cancer fund) supplies short-term financial support to Nova Scotian breast cancer patients (women and men), who need financial help. 

Cumberland Cancer Assistance Fund: The Cancer Assistance Fund was created to provide support when all other forms of financial assistance have been explored and/or exhausted for Cumberland County residents dealing with cancer. 

Income-based Programs| Nova Scotia Power: To help Nova Scotians living on a low income, the Home Energy Assistance Top-up (HEAT) Fund program assists with funds for home heating during the winter season. 

Heating Assistance | Eastward Energy: On this website, you can find information about heating assistance, including home heating programs, water programs, and other programs.

Feed Nova Scotia: Feed Nova Scotia supports more than 130 member agencies. To find food programs near you, click here. 

Employment and Income Support: The Employment Support and Income Assistance (ESIA) program is designed to assist you when you are unable to assist yourself or your family.

• Income Assistance: Income assistance can support you with basic necessities (food, rent, utilities, and special needs, including pharmacare, emergency dental care etc).
• Employment Support (ESS): If you are receiving income assistance, Employment Support Services can help provide you with resources to build the skills and experience needed for work opportunities.

Special Needs Assistance:

• Income Assistance provides support for your basic expenses and special needs. Special needs include, but are not limited to: 
  • Employment Support
  • Medical Equipment
  • Medical – Essential Treatments
  • Medical Supplies
  • Over the Counter Non-Prescription Medications
  • Pharmacare/Prescription Drug Coverage

Prescription Drug Coverage (Pharmacare): The Department of Community Services supplies prescription drug coverage (Pharmacare) to: 

• Employment Support and Income Assistance clients (this includes Extended Pharmacare and Transitional Pharmacare clients)
• Disability Support Program clients
• Children in the care of the Minister and Child and Family WellBeing via a district office of the Department of Community Services or a Children’s Aid Society/Family and Children’s Services Agency.

For more information on how to use your pharmacare benefits, click here.

Wigs and breast accessory services: The Canadian Cancer Society offers a free wig and breast accessory program for patients who are unable to afford the cost of a wig or breast accessory or who have experienced hair loss because of their cancer treatment. 

Nova Scotia Breast Prosthesis Program: The Breast Prosthesis Program provides financial support to all residents (no age restriction) who are eligible for MSI coverage. This program is available to residents who have had a mastectomy or lumpectomy and require a conventional mastectomy prosthesis.

Through this program, a rebate is provided up to a maximum of $300 per prosthesis once every 2 years. Additional financial assistance is available for residents who earn an income up to $30,000 per year. These patients can receive up to $450 per prosthesis with a maximum of $750 once every 2 years. They can also receive up to a maximum of $75 for the purchase of a supporting bra once every 2 years. For more information, visit this link.

Fuel the Care Irving Oil: This program supplies fuel gift cards to families who travel for their child’s medical treatment. Families can apply by getting in touch with the social work departments at partner hospitals.