This guide describes the programs and services offered to individuals coping with a loss of independence caused primarily by ageing or an illness.

Health and social services

Advanced medical directives

Persons of full age may specify in advance the medical care that they agree or refuse to receive if they become incapable of expressing their wishes.

Consent to medical care This hyperlink will open in a new window. 
Information from Éducaloi

Barring exceptional cases, a health professional needs to obtain a patient’s consent before giving patient care. Patients have the right to accept or refuse any medical procedure or to be accommodated in a health institution.

Devices that compensate for a physical deficiency  This hyperlink will open in a new window.
Administered by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)

The Program for Devices That Compensate for a Physical Deficiency aims to provide devices that compensate for an individual’s motor deficiency, free of charge. The devices covered by the program are:

  • orthoses
  • prostheses
  • ambulation aid (such as a cane)
  • standing aids
  • locomotor assists (such as a wheelchair)
  • posture assists (devices that support the body in a seated position to help the individual use a locomotor assist).

Hearing aids This hyperlink will open in a new window.
Administered by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)

The Hearing Devices Program enables individuals with a hearing deficiency to obtain, under certain conditions, aids to improve their hearing or assistive listening devices, and to have them repaired or replaced.

Info-Santé 811
Service offered by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux

Info-Santé 811 is a free, confidential telephone consultation service. By calling 811, individuals can speak with a health professional at any time for advice or information for themselves or for a family member about a health issue considered non-urgent.

Info-Social 811
Service offered by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux

Info-Social 811 is a free, confidential telephone consultation service.  Dialing 811 enables callers to consult a psychosocial intervention worker for themselves or for a family member.

Zero-rated medical and assistive devices  This hyperlink will open in a new window.
Administered by Revenu Québec

Certain devices used to treat illnesses or reduce the effects of a disability or impairment are zero-rated (no GST or QST added). Other devices are unconditionally zero-rated, whereas some are conditionally zero-rated. For example, in some cases, a written prescription is required for certain devices to be zero-rated, while in other cases, no prescription is required.

Medical records This hyperlink will open in a new window. (in French only)
Information from the Commission d’accès à l’information du Québec

All individuals can view the content of their medical record held by an institution in the public-sector health and social services network and private-sector enterprises.

To request access to a medical or social record, or to obtain a copy of it, a request must be submitted to the person in charge of access to documents and the protection of personal information in the institution or establishment holding the file.

Ostomy Appliances Program This hyperlink will open in a new window. 
Administered by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)

This program provides a lump-sum payment to individuals who have undergone a permanent or temporary colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy for the purchase or replacement of the appliances they need.

Québec Health Booklet This hyperlink will open in a new window. 
Administered by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)

This service provides on-line access to health information. Through it, individuals can consult information such as:

  • the list of medications entered on their record at the pharmacy
  • their medical imaging examination reports (e.g., echography, x-ray)
  • their results and samples (e.g., blood tests, urine tests).

Visual aids  This hyperlink will open in a new window.
Administered by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)

The Visual Devices Program is for individuals who have a permanent visual impairment that prevents them to read, write or carry out activities. Through the program, they can borrow reading, writing and mobility aids and can receive financial assistance for acquiring and caring for a guide dog.

Housing

Admission of an adult to a residential centre or public residence 
Information from local community service centres (CLSC)

An individual whose autonomy has diminished due to ageing or physical or mental incapacity may be admitted to a residential and long-term care centre (CHSLD), to an intermediate resource or to a family-type resource. Individuals who wish to apply for accommodation for themselves or for a family member can contact their nearest local community services centre (CLSC This hyperlink will open in a new window.).

Cancellation of a lease  This hyperlink will open in a new window.
Information from the Tribunal administratif du logement 

Lessees may cancel a current lease in certain situations, for example, if they are allocated a dwelling in low-rental housing, can no longer occupy their dwelling because of a disability or are admitted permanently to a place of accommodation providing the care or services required by their health.

Financial contribution payable by an adult entrusted to an intermediate resource  This hyperlink will open in a new window.
Administered by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)

The government requires a financial contribution from adults entrusted to an intermediate resource (e.g., a supervised apartment) to pay for their accomodation. 

Individuals may apply for a review if they disagree with the contribution amount established by the RAMQ.

Financial contribution payable by an adult lodged in a healthcare facility This hyperlink will open in a new window. 
Administered by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)

A financial contribution is payable by individuals lodged in a Québec healthcare facility. This contribution is used by the government to pay a portion of the products and services received.

Individuals may apply for a reduction of their contribution if they consider that they are unable to pay the amount established by the RAMQ.

Residential adaptation This hyperlink will open in a new window. 
Administered by the Société d’habitation du Québec

The goal of the program is to enable individuals with a disability to enter and leave their home, to access the essential rooms in the home and to safely perform everyday activities. It provides financial assistance to the owner of their dwelling so that the adaptation work can be carried out.

Work

Absences for family or parental obligations This hyperlink will open in a new window. 
Information from the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail

Generally, workers are entitled to a certain number of days of leave, paid or not, to fulfill obligations relating to the care, health or education of their child or their spouse’s child, or to the health of a relative or a person for whom they act as an informal caregiver. Workers must notify their employer as soon as possible of their absence.

Bodily injury indemnity following an employment injury This hyperlink will open in a new window. 
Administered by the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail

Workers who have an accident or who contract an occupational disease must inform their employer quickly.

If they suffer permanent physical or mental impairment because of an industrial accident or occupational disease, they may be entitled to an indemnity for bodily injury.

Disability benefits This hyperlink will open in a new window.
Administered by Retraite Québec

Individuals under age 65 whose health has permanently deteriorated to the point that they can no longer work may be entitled to disability benefits if they have made sufficient contributions to the Québec Pension Plan.

Income replacement indemnity following an employment injury This hyperlink will open in a new window. 
Administered by the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail

Individuals who remain unable to carry on their employment following an industrial accident or occupational disease may be entitled to an income replacement indemnity.

Industrial accident or occupational disease This hyperlink will open in a new window. 
Administered by the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail

When an accident occurs or a disease is caused by the work of the employee, the employer must be notified as soon as possible and a physician consulted.

Individuals who are unable to work because of such an injury must then present a medical certificate to their employer. If they are absent for more than 14 days or if they incur medical expenses, they must complete the Worker’s Claim form to apply for benefits or claim a reimbursement of their medical expenses.

Pension from a foreign country This hyperlink will open in a new window.
Administered by Retraite Québec

A worker who is making or has made contributions to a country that has signed a social security agreement with Québec may be entitled to a disability pension from this country.

Reimbursement of expenses resulting from an employment injury This hyperlink will open in a new window. 
Administered by the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail

An individual who sustains an industrial accident or occupational disease does not generally have to assume the expenses arising from the injury.

The individual may also receive medical treatments or care at home or be reimbursed expenses tied to the purchase of medicines and other pharmaceutical products. 

Legal

Assistance measure
Administered by the Curateur public du Québec

The assistance measure allows a person living with a difficulty to receive assistance from one or two people of their choice. The assistants help the person concerned make decisions, exercise their rights and manage their property.

Compensation following a crime This hyperlink will open in a new window. 
Administered by the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail et l’Indemnisation des victimes d’actes criminels (IVAC)

An individual who is a crime victim may receive benefits aimed at compensating for the injury sustained. It may be an indemnity for temporary or permanent incapacity or expenses paid for rehabilitation services.

Compensation following an act of good citizenship This hyperlink will open in a new window.
Administered by the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail et l’Indemnisation des victimes d’actes criminels (IVAC)

An individual who has sustained injuries or property damage by voluntarily going to the assistance of another person whose life is in danger or who is in danger of bodily harm may receive compensation or the reimbursement of certain expenses or services.

Power of attorney 
Information from the Ministère de la Justice

Power of attorney is a contract through which an individual authorizes another individual to carry out everyday administrative tasks, in particular, to pay bills, sign an apartment lease or a contract to sell a house. The individual who gives this power of attorney must be capable of managing his or her property.

Protection mandate
Administered by the Curateur public du Québec

Formerly known as the “mandate in case of incapacity”, the protection mandate is a document in which an individual expresses their wishes and names one or more trusted people to look after their person and their property should they become incapable. The mandate comes into effect only after having been homologated by a court.

Representation measures This hyperlink will open in a new window.
Administered by the Curateur public du Québec

When a loved one’s situation requires applying to the court for their legal representation, the solutions provided by law are the following: temporary representation, homologation of the protection mandate and tutorship.

Search for a protection mandate by the Barreau du Québec  This hyperlink will open in a new window.
Service offered by the Barreau du Québec

A search for a protection mandate is conducted to verify whether an individual presumed to be incapacitated has drawn up a protection mandate or whether the mandate left by the individual is indeed the most recent one. This search must be performed by the Barreau du Québec and by the Chambre des notaires, which have separate registers.

Search for a protection mandate by the Chambre des notaires du Québec  This hyperlink will open in a new window.
Service offered by the Chambre des notaires du Québec

A search for a protection mandate is conducted to verify whether an individual presumed to be incapacitated has drawn up a protection mandate or whether the mandate left by the individual is indeed the most recent one. This search must be performed by the Barreau du Québec and by the Chambre des notaires, which have separate registers.

Home help

Domestic help This hyperlink will open in a new window. 
Administered by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)

The Financial Assistance Program for Domestic Help Services enables individuals to receive a reduction in the hourly rate charged when they use domestic help services. The services must be provided by a social economy business recognized by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux.

Home care support 
Services offered by local community service centres (CLSCs)

Home care support services are offered to individuals who are losing their independence or have a physical or intellectual disability. Certain services are also available to these individuals’ informal caregivers. Home care support services may be provided on a temporary or long-term basis, depending on the individual’s needs. Applications for home care support services must be placed with the local community services centre (CLSC This hyperlink will open in a new window.) in the individual’s region.

General notice

The direct allowance allows the person to select and hire the worker who will provide them with home care support services. In this way, the person becomes the worker’s employer. The direct allowance can be paid as:

  • A lump sum payment
  • Most of the time, a service employment paycheque

Meals on wheels (Popote roulante) This hyperlink will open in a new window. (in French only)
Service offered by the Regroupement des popotes roulantes

Meals on Wheels is a service that delivers healthy and nutritious meals at an affordable cost. The service is intended for seniors, people in convalescence, people with disabilities or loss of independance, pregnant women, new mothers and informal caregivers. 

Tax credits and financial assistance

Amount for a severe and prolonged impairment in mental or physical functions This hyperlink will open in a new window. 
Administered by Revenu Québec

This amount is a non-refundable tax credit granted to individuals with a severe impairment that seriously limits the performance of their daily activities.

Independent living tax credit for seniors This hyperlink will open in a new window.
Administered by Revenu Québec

This refundable tax credit is paid to individuals age 70 and older who incurred expenses for the purchase, lease or installation of eligible equipment in their principal place of residence. It may, for example, be a remote monitoring device, a walk-in bath or a hospital bed. The credit can also be granted to seniors who have stayed in accommodation offering re-education and rehabilitation services after hospitalization.

Social assistance and social solidarity
Administered by the Ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale

The Social Solidarity Program offers financial assistance to individuals who have a severely limited capacity for employment. These health problems may relate to the individual's physical or mental condition and must be noted by a doctor in a medical report.

Tax credit for caregivers This hyperlink will open in a new window. 
Administered by Revenu Québec

There are two components to this refundable tax credit. The first is for caregivers providing care to a person 18 or over who has a severe and prolonged impairment in mental or physical functions and needs assistance in carrying out a basic activity of daily living. The second is for caregivers providing care to and living with a relative 70 or over.

Tax credit for home-support services for seniors This hyperlink will open in a new window.
Administered by Revenu Québec

This tax credit is for individuals age 70 and older. It is a refundable tax credit based on certain expenses incurred to obtain home-support services. Such services include personal care services (nursing care, hygiene, etc.) or maintenance services with regard to a dwelling (housekeeping, minor exterior maintenance, etc.).

Tax credit for medical expenses This hyperlink will open in a new window.
Administered by Revenu Québec

Individuals who pay medical expenses for themselves, their spouse or for a dependent may benefit from this tax credit. Individuals may, under certain conditions, be entitled to a non-refundable or refundable credit.

Transport

Disabled parking permit This hyperlink will open in a new window.
Service offered by the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ)

Individuals may request a disabled parking permit if, because of their disability, they are unable to move about on short distances without a risk to their health and safety. A disabled parking permit gives the individual access to parking spaces reserved for persons with disabilities, whether travelling in a vehicle as the driver or a passenger.

Indemnities for bodily injury sustained as a result of a traffic accident  This hyperlink will open in a new window.
Administered by the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ)

The public automobile insurance plan provides financial compensation for bodily injury sustained following a traffic accident. An individual injured in a traffic accident may thereby receive income replacement indemnity, compensation for injuries and sequelae as well as the reimbursement of certain expenses incurred following the accident.

Public paratransit service This hyperlink will open in a new window. (In French only)
Service offered by public transit organizations or municipalities

Paratransit is a public transportation service that meets the needs of individuals with disabilities. Only individuals with disabilities that significantly compromise their mobility are eligible for the service.

Purchasing or adapting a vehicle for an individual with a mobility impairment  This hyperlink will open in a new window.
Administered by the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ)

An individual with a physical disability can obtain financial assistance in order to have access to a vehicle and to be able to drive it safely.

Taxe rebates on an adapted automobile This hyperlink will open in a new window.
Administered by Revenu Québec

A person with a disability who purchases or leases an adapted automobile may receive a partial rebate of the goods and services tax (GST) and the Québec sales tax (QST). It is also possible to apply for a rebate of the QST paid to purchase and install an automatic garage door opener.

State of health and Driver’s licences This hyperlink will open in a new window. 
Administered by the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ)

In Québec, all drivers must meet the requirements related to state of health and eyesight. They are also required to inform the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec of any change that could negatively impact their ability to drive. In addition, the Société requires that at age 75 the holder of a licence to drive an automobile declare their medical condition by completing a medical self-declaration form.