Welfare / Social Assistance

What is Welfare?

Welfare is a program from the government that provides money each month to unemployed people to help pay for essentials, such as rent, hydro electricity, and public transportation. Welfare is generally insufficient to cover the cost of all essentials, including food, and most recipients will have to use a food bank or a similar food security program. You can find relevant programs in your area on the Food banks and food security page. In French, it is known as the “Programme d'aide sociale”.

How much are you eligible to receive?

The amount you may receive from social assistance in Quebec depends on your personal and family situation (for example, whether you are single, a couple, or have children). These amounts can change over time. To see the most up-to-date monthly amounts, visit the official Quebec government page here. 

If you have children, the following are the approximate amounts you may receive per child:

Situation	Approx. increase per child
First months after a baby is born (initial adjustment)	$50 – $70/month
After reassessment (ongoing rate)	$75 – $120/month
Second child	$75 – $120/month
Third child and beyond	$75 – $120/month

If you have three or more children, you are also eligible for more support from PRAIDA through the supplemental family budget program (Programme budget familial - SBF). Contact PRAIDA for more information and to apply.

Where and how to apply

Online

Complete the application online: https://formulaires.mtess.gouv.qc.ca/en/Form/1/3002/0/qAmVp9iZsEiHmK-fsOG_og

Typically, once your application has been read, you will receive a letter or a phone call telling you what other documents you need to provide for your application to be processed. You do not need to wait until you receive this letter to send in extra information.  Even at the same time as your application, you can send the relevant documents to the same address  if you are in one of the following situations: 

1. Your bank statements for the last 3 months. 
   • These must show that you have had no more than the eligibility amounts listed below throughout this time
2. Property information in your country of origin
   • Include the names of the owners and all documents showing property value, ownership, and the status of the property
   • If it has no value or is not in your name, include that information as well.
3. Business information in your country of origin
   • If you own a business in your country of origin, include the resale value of the business, the legal registration information of the business, and the resale value of the buildings/property owned by the business.
   • If the business has no resale value or if it does not own any buildings or property, state this information and, if possible, include proof.
4. Employment in your country of origin just before leaving
   • Include pay stubs or a written declaration of the amount of income you received.
5. If you are a refugee claimant who lived in the United States for a long period of time: 
   • Include an explanation of how you subsisted economically while living there to explain to welfare why you arrived without savings.

In person

Refugee claimants must fill out a welfare form specifically for refugee claimants:

Form: First Application for Last-Resort Financial Assistance – Refugee Protection Claimants form 

If you have dependent children, you must also complete the Appendix –  Dependent Children form

Once completed, bring it to any Service Quebec office

Find the office here by selecting social assistance and your postal code:  https://www.localisateur.servicesquebec.gouv.qc.ca/en

Who is eligible, and what is the criteria needed in order to be accepted? 

In order to qualify for welfare, there is a maximum amount of money you can have in your bank account at the time of your application (this is different from the amount you have when you arrive at the border, because you might have spent money after your arrival). 

The value of any properties you own in your country of origin may also be included in the calculations to see whether or not you are eligible for welfare. Generally, you are still eligible to receive welfare if the value of your property in Canada is $171,201 or less. If you declare a property you own abroad, welfare will probably consider this something you should sell to support yourself while living in Canada, and welfare is likely to be denied. If it would be unrealistic or impossible to sell the property (because of access, if it is not in your name, if it is in an area with conflict, or any other reason), be sure to include this information in the documents you send. 

The maximum amount of money you can have in the bank at the time of your application

Number of people	Maximum amount of money you can have at the time of your application
1 adult with no children	$887
With one child	$1,268
With 2 children	$1,502
With 3+ children	$1,782, plus $280 for each additional dependent child
2 adults with no children	$1319
With one child	$1,573
With 2 children	$1,807
With 3+ children	$2,087, plus $280 for each additional dependent child

Once you are on welfare, the amount you are allowed to have in order to continue receiving social assistance will increase as shown below. There will also be a limit on how much you can make every month. If you make more than this amount, you must declare it to welfare, and your welfare will be reduced the following month.  

Number of people	Maximum amount you can have in your bank account	Maximum amount you can make
1 person	$1,500	$200
A family	$2,500	$300 (if there are 2 adults)

Filing a Tax Return

Even if you do not have any income to declare or any taxes to pay, you must complete your income tax returns to qualify for social assistance programs.

Filing Your Taxes: Visit this article to learn how to file your taxes in Canada. 

Waiting for an answer

While you wait for your application to be processed, it is possible you will be contacted by a financial assistance officer who will ask you to provide certain documents to provide more information. Your application will be reviewed when they’ve received all the documents they think are necessary for making a decision.

If you are eligible for benefits, the benefits will be calculated starting from the day the office in charge receives your forms. 

(Source: https://www.quebec.ca/en/family-and-support-for-individuals/social-assistance-social-solidarity/how-to-apply#c66539)

What happens if your application is declined?

If your application is declined or the amount you receive in your cheque is reduced, you have 10 business days from the date you received the notice to provide any additional requested documentation.  You can get help from a social worker in different institutions or advocacy groups as Project Genesis to support you in that process. 

If the official upholds their decision to decline or reduce your welfare amount, you may ask for a revision of your case. In this situation, contacting a legal aid clinic or Project Genesis is recommended for specialized help:

Project Genesis / Projet Genèse

514 738 2036 

4735 chemin Côte-St-Catherine

Leaving the Social Assistance Program for Employment

If you are looking to get a job, one of the first things you should do is to contact an employment assistance officer to learn about the job options available to you. To find an employment assistance service, use this resource: https://www.localisateur.servicesquebec.gouv.qc.ca/en

When consulting with this person, they should also be able to help you in the process of getting off of the Social Assistance Program when you have a job.

Once you get a job, it is a good idea for you to check whether the new income you receive from this job means you no longer qualify for the Social Assistance Program. You can find this out by looking at the income ranges listed above. You can also use this tool to determine your disposable income (available in French only): https://www.simulrevenu.gouv.qc.ca/

When you get a job, you must inform Welfare within the first few days of your new work.  However, it is a good idea to wait a few days after starting your new job to make sure you want to keep your new job. If you decide you want to stay with your new job, you should inform Welfare.

Telling Welfare that you have a job falls under Reporting a Change in your Situation. To find out how to do this, look at the section on this below.

It is really important to report that you have begun working at a job to Welfare. If you do not report your new job, you would lose your welfare and might be charged with financial penalties or other legal sanctions.

You are allowed to reapply for Welfare if you lose your job or in any way qualify once more for entry into the Social Assistance Program. You should then check your eligibility based on the criteria listed above.

If you have any questions about the Social Assistance Program, you should contact one of the phone numbers below:

• Montréal area: 514-873-4000
• Elsewhere in Québec: 1-877-767-8773 (toll free)

For more information and examples, look at this page: https://www.quebec.ca/en/family-and-support-for-individuals/social-assistance-social-solidarity/stop-receiving-benefits-under-the-social-assistance-program-or-the-social-solidarity-program-due-to-employment