Calculation of Benefits Under the Social Assistance and Social Solidarity Programs

The basic benefit you can receive varies depending on your family situation. On January 1 of each year, benefits are adjusted (indexed).

To determine the amount you are eligible to receive, an officer will assess your cash resources, the value of your property and your income.

If your cash resources exceed the permitted limit, your application may be denied or the financial assistance you receive may be reduced.

Your cash resources (that is, your liquid assets) may include:

• the cash you have on hand or in a bank account
• your investments that can easily be converted into cash in the short term, such as deposits, savings bonds or cryptocurrency

Maximum cash you can have at the time of your application

The maximum cash you can have at the time of your application depends on your situation and your family composition.

For a family of one adult and

• 0 dependent children, the maximum cash is $887.
• 1 dependent child, the maximum cash is $1,268.
• 2 dependent children, the maximum cash is $1,502.
• 3 or more dependent children, the maximum cash is $1,831, plus $329 for each additional dependent child.

Another $241 is added for each dependent child who receives the Supplement for Handicapped Children paid by Retraite Québec.

For a family of two adults and

• 0 dependent children, the maximum cash is $1,319.
• 1 dependent child, the maximum cash is $1,573.
• 2 dependent children, the maximum cash is $1,807.
• 3 or more dependent children, the maximum cash is $2,136, plus $329 for each additional dependent child.

Another $241 is added for each dependent child who receives the Supplement for Handicapped Children paid by Retraite Québec.

For a student’s spouse and

• 0 dependent children, the maximum cash is $887.
• 1 dependent child, the maximum cash is $1,247.
• 2 dependent children, the maximum cash is $1,576.
• 3 or more dependent children, the maximum cash is $1,905, plus $329 for each additional dependent child.

Another $241 is added for each dependent child who receives the Supplement for Handicapped Children paid by Retraite Québec.

For a sheltered minor, the maximum cash is $887.

These amounts are increased and special rules apply if:

• you are only eligible for the claim slip (or drug card) for a limited time
• you have completed participation in a specific program (Older Worker Support Program or Pregnant Minor Financial Assistance Program)

Maximum cash you can have as a Social Assistance Program recipient

The maximum cash you can have without reducing your benefit is as follows:

• $1,500 for an independent adult.
• $1,500 for a minor sheltered with their child.
• $1,500 for a student’s spouse.
• $2,500 for a family. Depending on the number of dependent children, other amounts may be excluded from the calculation of liquid assets.

Maximum cash you can have as a Social Solidarity Program recipient

The maximum cash you can have without reducing your benefit is as follows:

• $2,500 for a single adult.
• $2,500 for a minor sheltered with her child.
• $2,500 for a student’s spouse.
• $5,000 for a family. Depending on the number of dependent children, other amounts may be excluded from the calculation of liquid assets.

Carrying out a project without reducing your benefit

With permission from the Ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale, you can deposit funds into a special account at a financial institution without reducing your benefit. This is called an individual development account.

You can deposit up to $5,000 into this account to fund a specific project, such as:

• health care
• a return to school
• training
• the purchase of a vehicle
• etc.

When you open this type of account, you must agree that the deposited funds will be used solely for this project.

The value of your property will be taken into account to determine your eligibility and calculate your benefit.

If the value exceeds the permitted limit, your application will be denied or the financial assistance you receive will be reduced. The real property (residence, cottage, land, etc.) and vehicles (car, snowmobile, etc.) you own are also taken into account in the calculation.

Maximum value of property for the Social Assistance Program

The net value of certain property, such as your residence (house and land), is excluded from the calculation if it is $272,241 or less.

The market value of your car is excluded if it is $10,000 or less.

Other amounts may also be excluded from the calculation.

Maximum value of property for the Social Solidarity Program

The value of certain property and liquid assets is excluded if it is $389,677 or less.

The main property and liquid assets covered are as follows:

• Real property (residences, farms in operation, cottages, land, etc.)
• Certain types of liquid assets (registered retirement savings plans, registered education savings plans, etc.)
• Property and liquid assets received as part of a succession (inheritance) during a month in which you receive benefits

The market value of your vehicle is excluded from the calculation if it is $10,000 or less.

Other amounts may also be excluded from the calculation.

The income and the employment assistance allowance you receive for participating in a program are deducted from your benefit. For certain types of income, a portion of these amounts is excluded from the calculation of your benefit, depending on your family composition.

Your income may come from:

• a job
• child support payments
• a pension from Retraite Québec
• compensation from the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail
• the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec
• benefits from the Québec Parental Insurance Plan
• employment assistance benefits

In some cases, parents are expected to contribute to the support of their child of full age who is a Social Assistance Program recipient. When you apply for benefits, the Ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale must determine whether your parents are required to help support you.

This contribution is included in the calculation of your benefit for up to three years and is reassessed annually. It reduces the benefit that you might receive.

The annual parental contribution is the parents’ total income, after deducting exemptions, that is:

• $32,233 if both parents live together.
• $26,310 for each parent if they do not live together or if one parent is untraceable or deceased.

The amount obtained is divided by 12 (months) since the parental contribution is paid monthly.

The parental contribution does not apply to the Social Solidarity Program.

Filling out the parental contribution forms

If you are an adult who is not financially independent from your parents and you are applying for the Social Assistance Program, your parents must provide information about their circumstances.

Please fill out the form below:

If you answered “No” to the questions on the Parental Contribution – Preliminary Information form (SR-2103A), you must also complete the Parental Contribution – Additional Information form (SR-2101A) (PDF 279 Kb).

At the request of a Ministère officer, your parents may have to complete the Parental Contribution – Information on the Parents’ Circumstances form (SR-2102A) (PDF 865 Kb).