{"settlement":{"id":"nova-scotia-disability-services-waitlist-2025","slug":"nova-scotia-disability-services-waitlist-2025","title":"Nova Scotia Disability Services Waitlist Class Action","category":"Government and Public Services","status":"Claims open","tags":{"industry":["Government services"],"geographic":["Atlantic Canada","Nova Scotia"],"recoveryType":["Cash payment"],"documentation":["Self-attestation only","Identity verification required"],"eligibilityTrigger":["Used a service","Was a patient or received treatment"]},"classDefinition":"The class includes people who were alive as of May 4, 2022 and who, at any point after April 1, 1998, were eligible for disability assistance under the Social Assistance Act but were placed on a waitlist for services, or placed in an Institution (Regional Rehabilitation Centre, Adult Residential Centre, or Residential Care Facility), a Nursing Home, or a Hospital. There are four class groups: the Waitlist Class, the Institution Class, the Nursing Home Class, and the Hospital Class, and a person may belong to more than one.","plainLanguageSummary":"If you were alive on May 4, 2022 and, at any time after April 1, 1998, were eligible for Nova Scotia disability services but were put on a waitlist or placed in an institution, nursing home, or hospital, you may be eligible for a cash payment based on how long that lasted.","eligibilityCriteria":[],"recoveryRange":"$1,500 to $15,000 base payments depending on the class, plus added amounts for longer durations","filingInstructions":"Read Appendix A of the claim form to confirm which of the four Classes (Waitlist, Institution, Nursing Home, Hospital) match your experience.\nComplete Claim Form 1 - Application, including your identity and contact information and the Classes you are claiming under in Part 5.\nAttach a copy of your government-issued identification, or complete the Declaration of Identity signed by a Guarantor if you have no ID.\nIf you are filing for someone else, also complete the matching form: Claim Form 2 (Personal Representative), Claim Form 3 (Executor or Administrator), or Claim Form 4 (Next-of-Kin Representative), with the required proof of authority.\nSign and date the form to consent to the sharing of your records for verification.\nSubmit the form and any supporting documents to the Claims Administrator online, by email, by fax, or by mail so it is received by March 17, 2027.","caseBackground":"In Nova Scotia, people with disabilities can apply for help through the Disability Support Program under the Social Assistance Act. Between April 1, 1998 and August 20, 2025, some people who were eligible for this help were instead placed on waitlists, or placed in institutions, nursing homes, or hospitals while they waited for services. A class action argued that the Province mismanaged this system, was negligent, and breached the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.\n\nThe Province did not admit wrongdoing, but agreed to a settlement to compensate eligible people. The Nova Scotia Supreme Court approved the settlement on November 12, 2025. A settlement fund of between $32 million and $34 million is available to pay approved claims along with legal fees and administration costs, and the claims period runs from December 17, 2025 to March 17, 2027.","administratorName":"Deloitte LLP","administratorContacts":[{"type":"phone","label":"","value":"1-844-677-1771"},{"type":"email","label":"","value":"info@NSWaitlistSettlement.ca"},{"type":"mail","label":"","value":"Administrator, c/o Deloitte LLP, PO Box 998 STN CENTRAL, Halifax, NS B3J 2X1"},{"type":"online","label":"","value":"https://www.classaction.deloitte.ca/en-CA/ns-waitlist-settlement/"}],"administratorRole":"claims","agentName":"","agentContacts":[],"agentClaimFormHelp":false,"classCounselName":"","classCounselContacts":[],"classCounselFirms":[],"submissionMethods":[{"type":"online","label":"","value":"https://Portal.NSWaitlistSettlement.ca"},{"type":"email","label":"","value":"Claims@NSWaitlistSettlement.ca"},{"type":"fax","label":"","value":"902-450-4956"},{"type":"mail","label":"","value":"Claims Administrator, c/o Deloitte LLP, PO Box 998 STN CENTRAL, Halifax, NS B3J 2X1"}],"sourceDocuments":[{"url":"/uploads/8fba567e3d3a02a8779cac44-nswaitlist_longformnotice_settlementapproval-DONE.pdf","title":"Notice to Class Members"},{"url":"/uploads/fa5d61d186af31e73f8c41f8-claim-form-1-DONE.pdf","title":"Claim Form"},{"url":"/uploads/02d7804320bacb13083b5ab5-Claim-Admin-Page-DONE.pdf","title":"Additional Settlement Document"}],"shortFormNoticeUrl":"/uploads/6a1c89181883ae8fcef46f02-nswaitlist_shortformnotice_settlementapproval-DONE.pdf","longFormNoticeUrl":"/uploads/8fba567e3d3a02a8779cac44-nswaitlist_longformnotice_settlementapproval-DONE.pdf","settlementAgreementUrl":"","claimFormDocumentUrl":"/uploads/fa5d61d186af31e73f8c41f8-claim-form-1-DONE.pdf","claimForms":[{"id":"051868126276","url":"/uploads/fa5d61d186af31e73f8c41f8-claim-form-1-DONE.pdf","name":"Claim Form 1","language":"en","description":"Application"},{"id":"d0775cd0ebba","url":"/uploads/454cc4bfeed8202e988e9de7-claim-form-2.pdf","name":"Claim Form 2","language":"en","description":"This form is for a legally appointed Personal Representative submitting a claim on behalf of a Class Member with a disability."},{"id":"c2a4268d0913","url":"/uploads/4f9f2f752844773da31514fc-claim-form-3.pdf","name":"Claim Form 3","language":"en","description":"This form is for the legally appointed executor or administrator filing a claim on behalf of a deceased class member's estate."},{"id":"62b81c04edae","url":"/uploads/e400e64d77a0af8486cf19ea-claim-form-4.pdf","name":"Claim Form 4","language":"en","description":"This form is for a relative submitting a claim on behalf of a deceased class member who has no appointed estate representative."}],"claimFormsButtonLabel":"claim-form","claimFormsUnavailable":false,"claimFormsUnavailableReason":"","claimFormGuides":[],"additionalDocuments":[],"optOutFormUrl":"","optOutInstructions":"","objectionFormUrl":"","objectionInstructions":"","faqs":[{"answer":"It depends on which class or classes you fall into and how long your situation lasted. Base payments are $5,000 for the Waitlist Class, $15,000 each for the Institution and Nursing Home Classes, and $1,500 per whole month for the Hospital Class, with added amounts for longer periods. Compensation can stack if you qualify under more than one class, and amounts may be reduced proportionately if approved claims exceed the fund.","question":"How much money can I receive?"},{"answer":"Your claim form and all supporting documents must be received by the Administrator by March 17, 2027. For up to 90 days after that date, you may be able to submit a late claim if you give written reasons for missing the deadline.","question":"What is the deadline to file a claim?"},{"answer":"Complete Claim Form 1 - Application and submit it with a copy of your government-issued ID (or a completed Declaration of Identity) online at Portal.NSWaitlistSettlement.ca, by email to Claims@NSWaitlistSettlement.ca, by fax to 902-450-4956, or by mail to the Claims Administrator in Halifax.","question":"How do I file a claim?"},{"answer":"You must attach a copy of your government-issued identification, or complete a Declaration of Identity witnessed by a Guarantor if you have no ID. By signing the form you consent to the Province of Nova Scotia sharing your Disability Support Program records with the Administrator to verify your claim, so you do not need to gather those service records yourself.","question":"What proof do I need to provide?"},{"answer":"No. The deadline to opt out was October 27, 2025, and it has passed. Class members are bound by the settlement.","question":"Can I still opt out of the class action?"}],"eligibilityChecker":{"questions":[{"id":"alive-may-2022","text":"Were you (or the class member you are claiming for) alive as of May 4, 2022?","type":"yes_no","qualifyingAnswer":"yes","criticalForEligibility":true},{"id":"eligible-disability-services","text":"Were you eligible for disability services under the Social Assistance Act at any time after April 1, 1998?","type":"yes_no","qualifyingAnswer":"yes","criticalForEligibility":true},{"id":"waitlisted-or-placed","text":"Were you placed on a waitlist for disability services, or placed in an institution, nursing home, or hospital, while eligible for those services?","type":"yes_no","qualifyingAnswer":"yes","criticalForEligibility":true},{"id":"before-may-2020-incapable","text":"If your waitlist or placement time was before May 4, 2020, were you legally incapable of starting a lawsuit during that time?","type":"yes_no","helpText":"Time before May 4, 2020 only counts if you were legally incapable of starting a lawsuit; time from May 4, 2020 onward counts under the normal process.","qualifyingAnswer":"yes","criticalForEligibility":false}],"uncertainMessage":"Some of your answers were Not sure, so we could not confidently determine your eligibility.","qualifyingMessage":"Based on your answers, you appear to fall within the class definition for this settlement.","nonQualifyingMessage":"Based on your answers, you do not appear to fall within the class definition for this settlement."},"claimCategories":[{"id":"waitlist-class","name":"Waitlist Class","description":"For people who were on the waitlist for disability services (other than a seniors' residential placement) while eligible for assistance under the Social Assistance Act.","recoveryType":["Cash payment"],"documentation":["Self-attestation only","Identity verification required"],"recoveryRange":"$5,000 base payment for at least six months, plus $500 for each additional 12-month period","eligibilityChecker":null,"eligibilityCriteria":["Alive as of May 4, 2022","On the waitlist for services (other than a seniors' residential placement) for any period after April 1, 1998","Not counting any period covered by the Institution, Nursing Home, or Hospital Class"]},{"id":"institution-class","name":"Institution Class","description":"For people who lived at a Regional Rehabilitation Centre, Adult Residential Centre, or Residential Care Facility while eligible for assistance.","recoveryType":["Cash payment"],"documentation":["Self-attestation only","Identity verification required"],"recoveryRange":"$15,000 base payment for at least three months, plus $1,500 for each additional 12-month period","eligibilityChecker":null,"eligibilityCriteria":["Alive as of May 4, 2022","Resided at a Regional Rehabilitation Centre, Adult Residential Centre, or Residential Care Facility for any period after April 1, 1998","Eligible for assistance under the Social Assistance Act at that time"]},{"id":"nursing-home-class","name":"Nursing Home Class","description":"For people who lived in a nursing home while eligible for assistance and who had been assessed as having support needs within the Department of Community Services mandate.","recoveryType":["Cash payment"],"documentation":["Self-attestation only","Identity verification required"],"recoveryRange":"$15,000 base payment for at least three months, plus $1,500 for each additional 12-month period","eligibilityChecker":null,"eligibilityCriteria":["Alive as of May 4, 2022","Resided in a nursing home for any period after April 1, 1998","Eligible for assistance under the Social Assistance Act while residing there","Assessed by the Department of Community Services as having support needs within its mandate"]},{"id":"hospital-class","name":"Hospital Class","description":"For people who lived in the Nova Scotia Hospital or another hospital run by the Nova Scotia Hospital Authority without a medical reason, while eligible for assistance.","recoveryType":["Cash payment"],"documentation":["Self-attestation only","Identity verification required"],"recoveryRange":"$1,500 for each whole month, for at least one month","eligibilityChecker":null,"eligibilityCriteria":["Alive as of May 4, 2022","Resided in the Nova Scotia Hospital or another hospital operated by the Nova Scotia Hospital Authority (or a predecessor) for any period after April 1, 1998","No medical reason for the hospitalization","Eligible for assistance under the Social Assistance Act at that time"]}],"proceedings":null,"relatedSlugs":[],"group":null,"cardSummary":"For Nova Scotians with disabilities who were eligible for disability services after April 1, 1998 but were put on a waitlist or placed in an institution, nursing home, or hospital. You may be able to claim a cash payment.","proofRequired":"","claimTime":"","claimAmount":"Varies by claim category","coverageStartDate":"1998-04-01","coverageEndDate":"2025-08-20","deadline":"2027-03-17","optOutDeadline":"","objectionDeadline":"","approvalHearingDate":"","approvalHearingDates":[],"approvalPending":false,"resolution":"settlement","judgmentAppealed":false,"seriousHarmEnabled":false,"quietPresentation":false,"formHelperEnabled":false,"dateAdded":"2026-07-21","lastUpdated":"2026-09-06","firstPublishedAt":"2026-07-22 02:05:16","claimsOpenedAt":"2026-07-22 02:05:16","lastVerifiedAt":"2026-07-21","languages":["en","fr"]}}