School supply support now permanent for families on income assistance
Posted Aug 27, 2025 08:58:34 AM.
Last Updated Aug 27, 2025 12:17:52 PM.
Families on income assistance can expect a little extra help each year in affording school supplies moving forward.
Last year, the province gave families on income assistance a one-time bump to their August payments to help with back-to-school costs. Now that’s being made permanent.
“When children are better prepared for school, they have a stronger chance of succeeding academically,” said Scott Armstrong, Minister of Opportunities and Social Development. “This permanent support helps ease some of the financial pressure income assistance clients face and gives kids a better chance to thrive.”
The change means each August, eligible families will get an additional $100 for each child aged five to 12 and $200 for each child 13 to 18.
Children who are attending pre-primary and dependent youth aged 19 to 20 attending high school may also be eligible, the press release details.
The government says there are several other programs in place for families with dependents outside of that age range, including help with costs of post-secondary education and employment-focused opportunities.
The back-to-school support is expected to cost the province $331,000.
