Nova Scotia Disability Services Waitlist Class Action
Reviewed by Marty Mikhail, lawyer licensed by the Law Society of OntarioLast verified How we verify
Status
Claims openEstimated Payout
$1,500 to $15,000 base payments depending on the class
Claim deadline
See all 4 forms
- Claim Form 1Application
- Claim Form 2This form is for a legally appointed Personal Representative submitting a claim on behalf of a Class Member with a disability.
- Claim Form 3This form is for the legally appointed executor or administrator filing a claim on behalf of a deceased class member's estate.
- Claim Form 4This form is for a relative submitting a claim on behalf of a deceased class member who has no appointed estate representative.
Claim.ca does not recommend any specific form. Always verify which form applies to your situation against the official settlement notice and contact the claims administrator if you have questions.
About this claim
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.
See the questions the eligibility checker asks
The checker asks these questions. Use the Check Eligibility button to answer them and see a result.
- Were you (or the class member you are claiming for) alive as of May 4, 2022?
- Were you eligible for disability services under the Social Assistance Act at any time after April 1, 1998?
- Were you placed on a waitlist for disability services, or placed in an institution, nursing home, or hospital, while eligible for those services?
- If your waitlist or placement time was before May 4, 2020, were you legally incapable of starting a lawsuit during that time?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.
Read more
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.
The 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.
Claim types
This case covers more than one type of claim. Each has its own payment, proof requirements, and eligibility. Review the type that applies to you.
Waitlist Class
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.
Payment: $5,000 base payment for at least six months, plus $500 for each additional 12-month period
Proof: ID required
Who qualifies
- 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
Institution Class
For people who lived at a Regional Rehabilitation Centre, Adult Residential Centre, or Residential Care Facility while eligible for assistance.
Payment: $15,000 base payment for at least three months, plus $1,500 for each additional 12-month period
Proof: ID required
Who qualifies
- 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
Nursing Home Class
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.
Payment: $15,000 base payment for at least three months, plus $1,500 for each additional 12-month period
Proof: ID required
Who qualifies
- 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
Hospital Class
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.
Payment: $1,500 for each whole month, for at least one month
Proof: ID required
Who qualifies
- 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
How to Submit Your Claim
- Submit Onlinehttps://Portal.NSWaitlistSettlement.ca
- Submit by Email[email protected]
- Submit by Fax902-450-4956
- Submit by MailClaims Administrator, c/o Deloitte LLP, PO Box 998 STN CENTRAL, Halifax, NS B3J 2X1
Claim Administrator
- Deloitte LLP
- Phone1-844-677-1771
- Email[email protected]
- MailAdministrator, c/o Deloitte LLP, PO Box 998 STN CENTRAL, Halifax, NS B3J 2X1
- Websitehttps://www.classaction.deloitte.ca/en-CA/ns-waitlist-settlement/
Settlement Notices
Remind me before this claim closes
Drop in your email and you'll get two reminders before the Nova Scotia Disability Services Waitlist Class Action deadline of : one 30 days out, one 7 days out. That's it. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money can I receive?
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.
What is the deadline to file a claim?
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.
How do I file a claim?
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 [email protected], by fax to 902-450-4956, or by mail to the Claims Administrator in Halifax.
What proof do I need to provide?
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.
Can I still opt out of the class action?
No. The deadline to opt out was October 27, 2025, and it has passed. Class members are bound by the settlement.
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