Social Assistance and Social Solidarity

Jean-Paul and Judy have been a couple for 5 years. He worked a few factory jobs before working in a loading warehouse. After he has worked there for several years, the company closed its doors. Jean-Paul did not manage to find another job since. His spouse, Judy, cannot hold a job, because of a specific medical condition.

After using up employment insurance benefits, Jean-Paul and Judy had to apply for financial assistance to support themselves. A few months later, Jean-Paul went to a Services Québec office with the goal of re-entering the labour market.

Here are the steps he followed:

1. Jean-Paul had a meeting with the employment assistance officer to assess his needs and goals.
2. After this assessment, the officer presented him with the different programs that could suit him.
3. Jean-Paul decided to participate in aproject designed for older workers.
4. After a few weeks of participation, Jean-Paul started a part-time job at the minimum wage.
5. Even if they receive work income, Jean-Paul and Judy remain eligible for a benefit amount and the claim slip.
6. After a month, the employment assistance officer followed up with Jean-Paul. He is motivated and really enjoys his job. He can use his skills and develop new ones.

Patrick dropped out of school at the age of 16. Since then, he had one job after the other, with periods in which he receives last-resort financial assistance. He is often criticized for not being punctual and for having conflictual relationships with his colleagues. He was fired from his last job because of this.

Since Patrick needs money and wishes to work, he went to an employability services organization in his municipality.

Here are the steps he followed:

1. Patrick met with an employee of the organization on several occasions. These meetings allowed him to understand his difficulties in holding a job and to improve them.
2. Then, he undertook workplace internships, in collaboration with the Services Québec office in his region. He received an allowance for his participation and kept his claims slip.
3. In addition to the internships, Patrick was able to update his résumé (CV) and received advice and support in his job search.
4. Patrick obtained a full-time job, which allowed him to no longer receive last-resort financial assistance.
5. Patrick continues to have support from the employee. He can discuss the situations he experiences at work and thus find positive solutions.

By following a program offered by Services Québec, in collaboration with an employability services organization, Patrick was able to considerably increase his income and develop strategies to keep his job.

Lucie lives alone with her 5-year-old daughter. Lucie used to have a night job in a restaurant before her daughter was born. She decided to resign because it was difficult to reconcile this job with her family life. She has been receiving benefits under the Social Assistance Program for five years. She wants to take advantage of her daughter entering school to return to the labour market. She does not know where to start and needs help.

Here are the steps she followed:

1. Lucie attended a first meeting with an employment assistance officer in a Services Québec office.
2. This officer suggested different options, including going back to school.
3. After a process with a career counselor and discussions with the employment assistance officer, Lucie decided to participate in training under the Manpower Training measure.
4. Throughout her training, which lasted a year and a half, Lucie received an employment assistance allowance, a single-parent family supplement and a reimbursement of school daycare expenses. She was also able to keep her claim slip, in addition to having the counselling and support of the employment assistance officer.
5. Since her graduation, Lucie has been working full time in her new field.

By following a process with Services Québec, Lucie was able to obtain a degree and increase her disposable income.

Carlos and Maria came to settle in Québec with their two children. Upon their arrival, they applied for financial assistance to support their family. They now want to receive support in entering the labour market and use the skills they acquired in their country of origin. Here are the steps followed by Carlos:

1. As he wished to start working soon, Carlos met with an employment assistance officer in a Services Québec office.
2. The officer offered different employment assistance services to Carlos in order for him to gain initial work experience in Québec. By participating in a program, he was entitled to financial support, including the reimbursement of childcare and transportation expenses.
3. Then, Carlos found a part-time job in a food processing plant, field in which he had gained experience in his country of origin.
4. After a few months, he decided to work full time and has even been promoted.  

Here are the steps followed by Maria:

1. Seeing her partner happy in his new job, Maria wanted to follow the same process.
2. She met with an employment assistance officer. Together, they agreed that participation in the Employment Integration Program for Immigrants and Visible Minorities (PRIIME) would be good for her.
3. After a few steps, she managed to get a job as an administrative assistant. This job allowed her to put to good use her knowledge of the various software programs she already knew.

By both entering the labour market, Carlos and Maria increased their family income while using their professional skills. They were also able to keep their claim slips for 6 months.

Simon has a disability. He is receiving benefits under the Basic Income Program. Simon wants to find a job that is adapted to his disability.

Here are the steps he followed:

Simon called the Centre de communication à la clientèle. Following the call, the person who spoke with Simon ensured that an employment assistance officer would be contacting him to assess his needs.

After a few telephone meetings, the officer referred Simon to an organization that supports persons with disabilities in their job search. By participating in meetings, Simon was entitled to additional amounts that did not affect his basic income.

Since Simon has a degree in computer science, the organization helped him find a part-time job in that field. In addition, through one of the programs offered by Services Québec, Simon’s employer received reimbursement for expenses incurred for adapting his workstation.

Even if Simon is working, he can still be a recipient under the Basic Income Program, because his annual income is below the limits permitted by the program.