FAQ: Financial Assistance on behalf of the Government of Nova Scotia

1. Who is eligible to receive the one-time financial assistance provided on behalf of the Government of Nova Scotia?

Eligible households must be within Halifax Regional Municipality or Shelburne County and were ordered by the municipal, provincial, police or fire authority to evacuate their primary residence due to the fires.

2. How is the eligibility criteria for financial assistance determined?

For support in Nova Scotia, one-time financial assistance is being provided on behalf of the Government of Nova Scotia, with eligibility criteria being determined by the provincial government.
The Red Cross continues to work collaboratively with governments, Indigenous leadership and local communities to determine how to best assist people who have been impacted by the wildfires.

3. How will I receive this financial assistance?

Canadian Red Cross distributes one-time financial assistance to eligible households through one of the following ways:
- an electronic funds transfer – the quickest, most secure way to receive funds.
- a payment card.

4. Do I have to accept the electronic funds transfer? Can I receive my financial assistance in another way?

If you’ve been provided an electronic funds transfer, and you have access to accept it, we encourage you to do so, as this method will help to effectively and efficiently meet your needs.
However, if you believe this is not the best option for you, we can discuss alternative options.

5. What can I do to make sure I receive the e-transfer

For more information on the step-by-step process to accept the e-transfer, consult this guide.
If you have auto-deposit enabled for e-transfers, the funds will be automatically deposited into your account.
- If you do not have auto-deposit enabled, a PIN is required and will be sent to you.
- You will still receive a PIN email if you have auto-deposit enabled. If you have auto-deposit enabled and your funds are deposited without issue, you can ignore the PIN email.
Check your email bulk, junk or spam mail folders
- If the email from the Red Cross is not in your inbox, please check your email bulk, junk, or spam mail folders. Once you find the email, please add the Canadian Red Cross email address to your "approved sender" list or in your address book to avoid future emails being labelled as junk or spam.
- If the email from the Red Cross is not in your email bulk, junk or spam folders, you can call us back for additional support.
Look for two emails from the Canadian Red Cross
- The first email only gives you a PIN, so please wait for a second email that will give you the link to the deposit. Please use the PIN from the first email to access the deposit. The second e-mail will arrive within the next 24 hours.

6. Why did some people receive the e-transfer before others?  

As you can imagine, the needs of all impacted people are great. Red Cross staff and volunteers are working around the clock to effectively and efficiently reach everyone. To send an e- transfer, we take proper precautions to confirm everyone’s registration details. We appreciate your patience.

7. I'm having trouble depositing this into my bank account.   

Please contact your financial institution with any technical questions. You can also contact Interac directly for any questions regarding the deposit process with electronic fund transfers. This information is available at http://interac.ca under Support section at the top of the page at Consumer menu > Contact Us.

8. What banks will accept electronic deposits?

9. What if I improperly enter my PIN?

To re-enter your PIN, you must click the link you received in your initial email from the Canadian Red Cross.

12. Have you heard of any scams targeting people who have been impacted?

Unfortunately, there are some who may try to take advantage of those impacted through fraudulent tactics.
Individuals eligible for financial assistance will NOT need to provide their banking information to receive funds. The Canadian Red Cross will not ask for these details in order to distribute assistance. In addition, the Red Cross will not ask for credit card information or other forms of payment in order to receive assistance.
The Canadian Red Cross communicates only via email, phone, or in person and would never send a link to receive financial assistance through a text message. If you have any doubts about the legitimacy of a text or an email, please go to the nearest reception centre for assistance.
The Red Cross encourages people to stay informed from credible sources, such as the Government of Canada’s website for fraud prevention tips.
If you suspect you have been a victim of fraudulent activity, please contact your local police authority.

11. I was given a payment card, but it’s not working / How do I use the payment card?

Payment cards distributed by the Canadian Red Cross are swipe cards only. The magnetic strip on the back of the card needs to be swiped through the card reader in order to process a payment.  
If you are experiencing difficulty with your card and need support, please call the number on the back of the card.

10. Will the Canadian Red Cross ever send me a text message to deposit my funds?

No. Financial assistance to eligible households through an e-transfer will always be sent to your email on file.