Social Assistance Program

Department of Social Development and Seniors

The province's income programme of last resort, covering basic needs - food, clothing, household and personal items, telephone or internet, shelter and utilities - and, depending on assessed need, childcare, transportation, medication, hearing aids, eyeglasses and a rent or utility security deposit. Intake starts with one call to the screening line on 1-877-569-0546.

The catch: No benefit amount is recorded here because the province publishes none: the page says the amount "is assessed monthly and may increase or decrease according to your income, living situation, and the size of your family" and stops. Two things it does say are worth more than a number. Some money is not counted against you at all - verbatim, the Canada Child Benefit, child support, foster care payments and HST and income tax refunds are excluded income - and some spending is never recognised as a need: "expenses for cable television, car and/or car insurance payments, and other personal debts are not considered." Gambling winnings are counted as unearned income.

Sources

At a glance

Worth
Not a cash amount
Effort
Application
Time to money
Not recorded
How it arrives
Direct deposit
How often
Standing
Proof needed
Income documents
Where
Prince Edward Island
Unlocks
1 other offer
Last checked
13 August 2026