Knowing the adjustments and allowances

Effective February 1, 2018, the basic benefit for people receiving last-resort financial assistance is increased.

This increase takes the form of a monthly addition to the basic benefit. It takes into account the composition of the household and the program the person is receiving. 

Adjustment to the basic benefits "66/72"

The basic benefit amount granted to persons receiving assistance under the Social Solidarity Program over a long period has been greater. In that case, the amount that is added to the basic benefit is called adjustment to the basic benefit (66/72).

To meet your children's basic needs, your family may receive supplementary amounts in addition to social assistance or social solidarity benefits, including adjustments for dependent children.

A child is considered to be dependent on his or her parents when he or she is dependent on them for support and meets one of the following criteria:

• is under 18 years of age and is neither married nor the parent of a dependent child;
• is 18 years of age or older, attends an educational institution, is not married, does not have a spouse and is not the parent of a dependent child.

A single person may receive, in addition to their basic benefit, an additional amount called the "single adjustment".

You may receive it if you are not restricted to employment and have been receiving social assistance for at least six consecutive months. 

Adults not eligible for the single person adjustment

Some single persons are not eligible for the single person adjustment. This is particularly the case for

• adults who live in subsidized housing (HLM, co-operatively managed building, etc.);
• adults who are required to live in an institution for the purpose of social reintegration;
• adults living in a rehabilitation centre or a residential and long-term care centre (CHSLD);
• adults who are cared for by an intermediate or family-type resource;
• adults who receive residential addiction services and are entitled to the special benefit for living expenses;
• spouses of students.

In calculating the amount of the adjustment to which a claimant may be entitled, the Ministère du Travail, de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale takes into account the amount that may be paid to the claimant by Revenu Québec under the Shelter Allowance Program .

The temporarily limited capacity allowance is financial assistance in addition to the basic last-resort financial assistance benefit.

You may receive an allowance for temporary hardship in the following cases: 

• your physical or mental state prevents you from carrying out an activity of preparation for employment, integration or job maintenance for a period of at least 1 month;
• you are at least 20 weeks pregnant;
• you have a dependent child who was under 5 years of age on September 30 and who could not obtain a place in a full-time kindergarten class;
• you have a dependent child who was over 5 years of age on September 30 and could not get a place in a full-time kindergarten class;
•  you have a dependent child who was over 5 years of age on September 30 and could not get a place in a full-time kindergarten class;
• you have a dependent child and you receive a disabled child's benefit from Retraite Québec for that child;
• you are 58 years of age or older;
• you have taken refuge in a shelter for victims of violence;
• you provide constant care to a person whose autonomy is significantly reduced because of his or her physical or mental condition;
• you are an adult person responsible for a family-type resource (foster home or foster family) recognized under the Act respecting health services and social services.

This financial assistance varies according to each adult's situation. For example, one of the two adults has temporarily limited capacity, while the other has no constraints.

Some situations make you ineligible for the employment restraint allowance, such as : 

• be hosted;
• be required to stay in an institution;
• receiving employment assistance benefits.