Online services 
are available. They give you access to notices of decision or information regarding your application. You can also configure your account to receive email alerts when a message from the Ministère is delivered.
Three special benefits are available to mothers receiving benefits under the Social Assistance Program or the Social Solidarity Program.
Learning about nutrition
Good nutrition is important during pregnancy and after your baby is born.
Go to the following pages to find out more:
Special pregnancy benefit
If you are pregnant, you are eligible for a special benefit of $55 per month.
This amount
- is in addition to your monthly benefit until you give birth
- is designed to help you buy nutritious food and have a healthy pregnancy
You are also eligible for this benefit if you are the parent of a dependent child who is pregnant.
Applying for the benefit
Step 1: Obtain a medical attestation as soon as possible
A medical attestation may be one of the following documents, among others:
- A medical certificate (PDF 227 Kb)
- A prescription for an ultrasound exam
The attestation must indicate
- the number of weeks of pregnancy
- the expected date of delivery
The attestation must be signed by
- your physician
- a nurse practitioner, or
- a midwife
Step 2: Where to send the medical attestation
Send the attestation to your Services Québec office . Payment of the special benefit begins as soon as the attestation is processed. The amount is paid in addition to your monthly benefit until you give birth.
Special nursing benefit
If you are breastfeeding a baby under 12 months of age, you are eligible for a special benefit of $55 per month.
Applying for the benefit
Step 1: Required information
Your application must contain the following information:
- Proof of your baby’s birth
- An indication of how long you plan to breastfeed your baby
Step 2: Where to apply
File an application with your Services Québec office .
What to do if you stop breastfeeding? You must notify us as soon as you stop breastfeeding.
Assistance for the purchase of infant formula
This special benefit enables you to buy infant formula for less than the regular price.
In this section:
- You already receive the special nursing benefit
- Change in feeding method
- Procedure for obtaining infant formula
- Types of formula authorized and eligibility period
- Quantity authorized per month
You already receive the special nursing benefit
Except in specific cases, you are not eligible for assistance for the purchase of infant formula if you already receive the special nursing benefit.
Change in feeding method during the month
If you change feeding methods during the month, you will still receive the special nursing benefit. You could also receive assistance for the purchase of infant formula the same month.
Procedure for obtaining infant formula
Step 1: As soon as your baby is born
Proof of your baby’s birth must be provided as soon as possible.
Contact your Services Québec office .
Step 2: Obtain an authorization number
You will be assigned an authorization number allowing you to receive assistance to buy infant formula.
You will also receive a new claim slip (medication card) with your authorization number on it.
This number will appear on all subsequent claim slips for the duration of the eligibility period.
Step 3: When you purchase the formula
You will have to give your authorization number to the pharmacist, who will tell you
- which formulas are authorized
- how much they cost
Where to purchase infant formula in order to receive assistance
You must buy the infant formula at a pharmacy.
Types of formula authorized and eligibility period
You must buy liquid concentrate infant formula.
Baby under 9 months of age
The liquid concentrate infant formula may be
- regular (cow’s milk)
- soy-based
- lactose-free
No medical certificate is required.
Example: Baby born on January 13, 2019.
The eligibility period
begins on the date of birth (January 13, 2019)
ends on the last day of the month in which the baby turns 9 months of age (October 31, 2019)
Baby between 9 months and 1 year of age
Only the following types of liquid concentrate infant formula are authorized during this period:
- Soy-based
- Lactose-free
A medical certificate is required.
It must be signed by
- your physician
- a nurse practitioner, or
- a midwife
Example: Baby born on January 13, 2019.
The eligibility period
- begins on the date on which the baby turns 9 months of age (October 13, 2019)
- ends on the last day of the month in which the baby turns 1 year of age (January 31, 2020)
Quantity authorized per month
Quantities apply to 385-ml cans of liquid concentrate infant formula.
The amount you will have to pay per purchase of 12 cans of 385 ml is $8.75.
Baby under 7 months of age
The minimum quantity of formula per purchase is as follows:
- 1 case of 24 cans, or
- 2 cases of 12 cans
The maximum quantity that may be purchased per month is as follows:
- 2 cases of 24 cans, or
- 4 cases of 12 cans
Baby between 7 months and 1 year of age
The minimum quantity of formula per purchase is 1 case of 12 cans.
The maximum quantity that may be purchased per month is 3 cases of 12 cans.
You could be authorized to purchase other sizes of infant formula cans. For information on other quantities authorized, contact us at one of the numbers below.
Authorized quantity must not be exceeded
Purchases that exceed the authorized quantity of infant formula are not covered.
Keep your receipts during your eligibility period to keep track of the type and quantity of formula purchased.
Assistance from your local community service centre
Your local community service centre (CLSC) offers a number of services
- during your pregnancy
- when your baby is born
- following the birth
For further information, contact the CLSC nearest you.
You can also call Info-Santé at 8-1-1.
Benefit amounts and payment dates
To find out the benefit amounts available, simply visit the following section: Benefit amounts for the current year.
To find out the dates on which payments are made, consult the following section: Benefit payment dates for the current year.
You can view the amount and the date of your next benefit payments in your online file.
Last update: June 28, 2023
