Basic Income Program

The Basic Income Program is intended for individuals who have had severe health-related limitations for a long time. It allows you to earn more money from work without affecting your benefit amount. It also allows you to have more assets and money without your benefit being reduced compared to the maximum amounts permitted under other social assistance programs. 

You are automatically eligible for the Basic Income Program if, for at least 66 months (5½ years) over the past 72 months (6 years), you were in one of the following situations:

• you received benefits under the Social Solidarity Program or used a claim slip (for dental and pharmaceutical services)
• one of your parents received the Supplement for Handicapped Children Requiring Exceptional Care, administered by Retraite Québec, while you were a minor
• you were living in Québec and received one of the following:
  • a disability pension administered by Retraite Québec or an additional amount for disability after retirement
  • a disability pension or a post-retirement disability benefit from the Canada Pension Plan
  • a disability allowance for veterans
  • an amount equivalent to the Social Solidarity Allowance under the On-Reserve Income Assistance Program.

If you were in one of the above situations, you do not need to apply. A few weeks before your first payment under the Basic Income Program, you will be notified that you have been admitted to the program.

Right to refuse admission to the Basic Income Program

Although the Basic Income Program is more advantageous, you are not required to enrol. If you are unsure about your decision, you can contact a financial assistance officer to ask questions and get more information.

If you do not wish to participate in the Basic Income Program, you must contact a financial assistance officer to inform the Ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale within six months of your admission. You may then continue to receive benefits under the Social Solidarity Program if you meet its eligibility criteria.  

Changing your decision regarding participation in the Basic Income Program

If you have declined admission to the Basic Income Program but change your mind, you may apply for admission later. 

You must complete the Application for a Change of Program – Admission to the Basic Income Program form (PDF 181 Kb) and submit it online via My Account, in person at a Services Québec office or by mail. 

You can view the Basic Income Program benefit amounts for the current year.

If you receive basic income, you can keep your claim slip. This means you can continue to receive the dental, pharmaceutical and vision care coverage it provides.

You are entitled to the same special benefits as Social Solidarity Program recipients, except the special benefit for school expenses.

If you have stopped participating in the Basic Income Program and wish to participate again, you can apply for readmission.  

You must meet the eligibility criteria listed above, except for the requirement to have received social solidarity benefits for 66 months over the past 72 months, which is no longer required.

You must fill out the Application for readmission (PDF 1.68 Mb) form and submit it online via My Account, in person at a Services Québec office or by mail.