Useful Services – Wolfville Area Inter-Church Council

Information is current as of October, 2022

Services List

Click on the section title to open up the listings for that section.

Eye Exams
Nova Scotia MSI pays for eye exams once every two years for children ages 9 and under and seniors 65 and older. Check with your eye doctor to learn more.
Dental Care
Nova Scotia MSI pays for basic dental care for children up to the end of the month they turn 14. Check with a local dentist to learn more. Note: The federal government announced in September 2022 that they will offer a national dental plan but no details are available yet.
NS Seniors Care Grant. Helps low-income seniors with household and healthcare costs. For more information on eligibility or to apply call 902-424-5200, toll free 1-800-670-4357.
Free COVID-19 rapid test kits available at all Annapolis Valley Regional Library Branches (Wolfville, Kentville, Port Wms)
NS Breast Screening Program – Accepts self-referrals. Call 1-800-565-0548 for more information
The Red Door – Youth sexual heath and general health support. 10 Webster St., Kentville, Suite 203. Call 902-679-1411

Mental Health – 1-866-585-0445. Or, text wellness to 686868 for youth, 741741 for adults
Kids Help – call 211 or 1-800-668-6868, or for youth help – text wellness to 686868
Emergency – 911
Non-Emergency Health – 811
NS Programs and Services general information – 211
Chrysalis House – shelter and outreach for women and children – 902-679-1922
Survivors of Abuse Recovering – Peer Support for adult survivors of childhood (0-18yrs) sexual abuse https://survivorsofabuserecovering.ca – 902-679-7337 or text 782-232-7637

NS Heating Assistance Rebate Program (HARP)
Rebates of up to $200 are available for eligible applicants who heat their home with oil, electricity, wood, propane, wood pellets, natural gas or coal. 2022 eligibility was: Single person – $27,000 or less, households – $42,000 or less. Deadline March 31^steach year. For more info call 1-800-670-4357 or download an application from the website. Apply for a heating assistance rebate: Heating Assistance Rebate Program

Home Energy Assistance Top-up (HEAT) Fund
Delivered by The Salvation Army, the HEAT Fund helps Nova Scotians in-need with the cost of heating their homes in the winter. Up to $400 may be available to families who are experiencing an emergency heating situation and whose family income meets the eligibility criteria. For more information about eligibility or to apply call 902-422-3435 or email or check out their website at https://salvationarmy.ca/maritime/home/programs/heat/

NS Seniors Property Tax Rebate. Helps eligible low-income seniors with a rebate of up to 50% of what they paid on the past year’s property taxes up to a max of $800. Taxes must have already been paid in full. For more info call: 902-424-5200 or toll-free 1-800-670-4357.

NS Seniors Care grant. Low-income seniors may qualify or a one-time grant of $250 to help with home heating costs. 2022 eligibility: household income of $37,500 or less. For more information call – 902-424-5200, toll free 1-800-670-4357.

Kings County Property Tax Exemption. Low-income property owners may be eligible to receive a reduction of up to $410 in their property taxes (2022-23 tax year). Contact the County of Kings for more information at 902-690-6144.

Town of Wolfville Property Tax Exemption. Low income property owners who live in their own house may be eligible to receive a reduction in their property taxes. For more information call 902-542-5767

People Worx. Offers support with resume writing, job search, exploring career choices, and more. Call 1-866-609-9675 or email for more information.
The Portal. A resource centre for youth aged 16-24. Call 902-365-3773 or toll-free 1-855-261-3773 to learn more about their programs and services.
Community Inc. Helps persons with disabilities find employment, and helps employers find qualified employees. For more information give them a call in Kentville 902-679-7469 or Windsor 902-798-5627.
Websites can be a valuable part of your job search. Examples are: indeed.com, monster.com, joblist.com, ZipRecruiter.com

Generally, Canadian residents aged 19 or older, who are below a certain income, are eligible to receive the GST/HST credit. The credit is paid quarterly. To apply for the GST/HST credit, you must file a personal income tax return, so if you are 18 years of age or older, you should file a tax return even if you have no income, in order to apply for the GST credit. You must be 19 to receive the credit, but if you will turn 19 before April 1 of the following year, you should apply now so that you will receive your first GST payment as soon as possible after you turn 19. By filing your tax return, you are applying for these benefits.
http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/goc/gst_credit.shtml

Kings Point-to-Point Transit
Accessible transportation available to all residents of Kings County. There is a onetime $10 membership charge. Must book at least 2 – 3 business days in advance to reserve transportation. Can be used for medical appointments, personal appointments, work, school, or other reasons. Priority is on those with challenges and seniors. For passengers using a wheelchair your attendant travels for free. Call 681-2846 to reserve a trip and check the cost based on the distance you plan to travel.
Kings Transit. Bus service in Kings County and parts of Annapolis County. 2022 Bus fares: adults $4.00, children 5-11 $2.25, students and seniors $2.25, Children under 5 free.
Wolfville Public Library offers free bike lending and all-terrain Hippocampe wheelchairs.

Canada Learning Bonds
Canada Learning Bonds are free Education Savings Plans from the Government of Canada for lower-income families. In order for your child to receive the $500 Canada Learning Bond:

Your family must receive the Canada Child Benefit
Your child must have a Social Insurance Number (SIN) [Application info below]
You must open a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) at a recognized bank or financial institution.
If eligible, your child may receive $500 the first year and based on continued eligibility, an annual contribution of $100 each year up to the year they turn 15 – to a maximum bond of $2000 for your child’s post-secondary education.
For more information click here.

Birth Certificates
If your child does not have a Social Insurance Number (SIN), you will need to have a birth certificate for the child in order to apply for one. To get a Birth Certificate application form if you are born in Nova Scotia, click this link https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-birth-certificate

Kids Action Program – Resources, programs and services for low-income families with children from 0-6 years old. Funded through Public Health Agency Canada. Call for more info 902-698-0269
Great Beginnings. A pre-natal support program that talks about pregnancy, birth and newborns. Offered through the Kids Action Program, call Suann at 902-698-0269, or Sandra 902-670-5906.
Valley Youth Project – Drop in social gatherings for 2SLBGTQ+ youth who are 25 and under. Email for more info to https://youthproject.ns.ca/valley-youth-project/
KidSport Nova Scotia. Eligible families may receive grants of up to $500 per calendar year to help cover costs for their children under 18 years old to participate in provincially recognized sports. For more info call 902-425-5450 or check out their website at kidsportcanada.ca.
Funded by Canadian Tire, provides assistance to low-income families to help cover costs so children aged 4 – 18 can get involved in physical activity. Max funding of up $300 per activity and $600 per eligible child per year. Physical activities may be sports, dance, and more. For more info check out the website at canadiantire.ca or call 1-844-937-7529.
Mudley Fund provides financial support to children and youth who live in the Town of Wolfville to help them participate in recreational and cultural activities offered by the Town.
Big Brothers Big Sisters connects children or youth with a supportive adult friend. Call – 902-678-8641 or check out the website at https://annapolisvalley.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/what-we-do/our-programs/.