Finding a Job and Becoming Financially Independent
Finding a Job and Becoming Financially Independent
The Aim for Employment Program is for you if you have never participated in the Program or received last-resort financial assistance.
During your participation in the Aim for Employment Program, you will receive ongoing and individualized support, as well as financial assistance throughout your process. This support will help you enter the labour market and achieve financial autonomy.
A Labour Market Entry Plan will be developed with you to provide you with a path adapted to your needs. The activities will enable you to:
look for a job
develop your work skills
develop your social skills
Free assistance with your income tax returns
You may be entitled to free assistance with filling out your income tax returns. These can allow you to benefit from various tax credits. Discover the Income Tax Assistance – Volunteer Program and income tax clinics. To learn more about them, go to the 211 service website or contact the Centre d’action bénévole in your region.
On this page:
Eligibility
You are required to participate in the Aim for Employment Program if you meet the following criteria:
You are eligible for financial assistance under the Social Assistance Program for the month after filing your application.
You have never participated in the Aim for Employment Program.
You have never received financial assistance under the Social Assistance Program, as an adult.
or
You have started participating in the Aim for Employment Program, but have not completed the mandatory 12-month period of participation, nor reached the maximum duration of 24 consecutive months.
Commitments and obligations
The participant and the Ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale agree to comply with the obligations set out in the Individual and Family Assistance Act.
The Ministère must:
pay financial support to assist in your efforts
offer ongoing and individualized support throughout the person’s participation in the Program
provide diversified and quality services
change the person’s Labour Market Entry Plan if required by their situation
The person must:
participate in the activities that have been planned and are indicated in their Plan
attend planned meetings with their employment assistance agent throughout their participation in the Program
inform the Ministère of any change that could affect their participation or the allocated financial assistance
accept any job offered if it corresponds to the person’s employment profile
maintain the employment relationship for the duration of their participation in the Program
provide any document or information needed to verify their eligibility to the Program or to calculate the financial assistance that will be allocated throughout their participation
If you do not meet the commitments set out in your Labour Market Entry Plan, financial penalties may apply.
Developing Your Labour Market Entry Plan
When you apply for financial assistance, an employment assistance agent will meet with you. This person will conduct an evaluation and employment assistance interview to discuss your situation and your needs. This meeting is an opportunity to establish your Labour Market Entry Plan which takes into account the following, among other things:
Your profile
The type of job you are seeking
The characteristics of the labour market
Examples of situations where the Program can help you
Here are a few situations in which the Labour Market Entry Plan may be proposed, changed and adapted if needed, depending on your situation throughout your participation in the Program, for example:
If you are able to find a job quickly, you can participate in activities to help in your job search.
If you must develop skills before being able to find a job, you can undertake training or acquire work experience.
If you must first resolve personal or social difficulties, you can participate in activities to develop your social skills before pursuing your path.
Financial support
By participating in the Aim for Employment Program, you will receive financial support based on your family situation, the activity and the measure indicated in your Labour Market Entry Plan. The following types of financial support are offered.
Basic benefit of the Aim for Employment Program
The basic benefit of the Aim for Employment Program is equivalent to the basic benefit granted under the Social Assistance Program based on your family situation. The amounts are increased (indexed) each year, on January 1.
In addition to your basic benefit for the Aim for Employment Program, you could receive a participation allowance of $70 a week.
In order to receive it, you must participate in activities under the Intensive Job Search or Developing Social Skills components.
Employment assistance benefits
If you are participating in activities under the Developing Job Skills component, you will receive an employment assistance benefit. This allocation is $370 a week if you are participating in:
the Manpower Training measure (for general education)
the Employment Preparation Project measure
the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers measure
If you are enrolled in qualifying training under the Manpower Training measure, you will receive an employment assistance benefit of $475 a week.
In this component, you could also participate in different hiring support programs that would allow you to receive a salary paid by the employer.
Reimbursement of additional costs
Depending on your situation, you can also be reimbursed for certain additional costs, such as:
Extra expenses
Daycare costs
Transportation costs
Tuition fees
Duration of your participation in the Program
The mandatory participation in the Aim for Employment Program is for a total duration of 12 months, over a maximum period of 24 consecutive months.
If needed, after the 12 mandatory months, your participation can be extended so that you can complete the activity set out in your Labour Market Entry Plan. Your participation cannot be extended beyond 24 months.
Participation in the Aim for Employment Program
When you apply for last-resort financial assistance and you meet the eligibility criteria, you are required to participate in the Aim for Employment Program.
After submitting your application, an employment agent will contact you to evaluate your needs and propose a labour market entry activity adapted to your situation.