About

Welcome to Social Supports NB, the Department of Social Development’s user-friendly website! This is a place for all New Brunswickers to find information about accessing government and community programs, services, and resources.

Our goal is simple: to help you live a healthy, well-supported life. The website was designed with your needs in mind, making it easy to quickly find what matters most to you.

Beyond Social Development’s programs, you’ll find information on other helpful supports or services, like tips on lowering your utility costs, a list of federal benefits for people living with disabilities, and much more.

You can search for specific topics or explore by category to find the resources that are right for you.

Not sure where to start?  211 is here to help!  

This free, 24/7, confidential information and referral service connects you to programs and services in your community.

Here’s how you can access 211:

• Call 2-1-1 to speak directly with a caring, trained navigator who will listen and guide you to services that best meet your needs.
• Browse the 211 website to explore services near you.
• Download the 211 mobile app for quick and easy access on the go.
• Use our online chat tool for real-time support. Simply click the ‘Get Help’ button at the bottom left of your screen from any page.

Feedback and making a difference together

We know navigating services can be challenging. That’s why your feedback is so important. By sharing your experiences, you are helping the Department of Social Development make meaningful changes. Every comment you share, big or small, helps us better understand the challenges people face, and helps us improve how we support people across the province.

Here are just a few ways feedback has already improved our services:

Better access to information

• This website, Social Supports NB, was developed to bring useful information together in one place, making it easier for you to find the help you need.
• We support 211 NB, a 24/7 service that connects New Brunswickers to community and government programs.
• The Aging in New Brunswick Guide, in partnership with St. Thomas University, helps older adults and their caregivers find the resources they need.
• A new e-newsletter was launched to share updates and resources for people receiving income support.
• Kinship care providers told us they needed more information, so we created a Kinship Guide tailored to their needs. We’re now working with foster families to create a companion guide.

Improving programs and services

• Before launching new programs, like a potential basic income for people with disabilities, we ask for your perspectives to ensure they meet real needs.
• When reviewing programs like Alternative Family Living Arrangements, we involve those directly impacted to understand challenges, like affordability and the importance of a home environment.
• We learned that children and youth who have been in care and their families face barriers to post-secondary education. Together with our partners, we designed the New Brunswick Youth in Care Scholarship with a simple application process and flexible options based on the feedback we received.

Building a better future together

Thanks to your feedback, the Department of Social Development has already made meaningful progress. Over the past year, many people have shared that they feel more heard, valued, and informed.

But there’s still more work to do. Your voice will continue to guide ongoing improvements as we strive to make services and supports more accessible and helpful for everyone.