Application for financial assistance
Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for last-resort financial assistance.
You could also be eligible for special benefits covering the cost of medication, optometric services, dental care and other specific needs.
Step 1: Verification of your eligibility
Certain conditions must be met in order to receive financial assistance from the Social Assistance Program or the Social Solidarity Program .
Basic eligibility criteria
Conditions to be met if you are 18 years of age or older:
- show that your resources (money, property, earnings, benefits and income) are equal to or less than the scales set by regulation (How the benefit is calculated) ;
- reside in Quebec.
Conditions to be met if you are 18 years old or younger:
- demonstrate that your resources (money, property, earnings, benefits and income) are equal to or less than the scales set by regulation (How the benefit is calculated) ;
- reside in Quebec;
- be married or have already been married or be the parent of a dependent child.
The financial assistance granted varies according to your situation.
Use the simulator to check if you are eligible for this financial support.
Step 2: Forms to be completed to make an application
To apply for financial assistance, you must fill out certain forms.
However, your situation may require additional forms or documents, as in the case of an application for financial assistance for a refugee claimant or youth.
Step 3: Submitting your application
Go to a Services Québec office with the completed forms and make sure you have photo identification issued by a public agency.
- access the Locator—Services Québec offices ;
- click on the Select the service you are looking for field;
- choose Social assistance.
You can choose to send your forms online or by mail. However, once the Services Québec offices receives them, you will have to go in person for identity verification.
Step 4: Processing your application
While your application is being processed, a financial assistance officer may contact you and ask you to provide certain documents to clarify information.
Your application will be reviewed once you have provided all the documents that are essential to the processing of your application.
If you are eligible for benefits, they will be calculated from the day the responsible office receives your forms.
Step 5: Decision on your application
You will receive a notice of decision by mail within five business days of receiving all the documents essential to the assessment of your application.
If your application is accepted, the notice will tell you how much benefit you will receive. If your application is refused, the notice will tell you the reasons for the refusal.
If you disagree with a decision, you may submit a Application for Review (0023A) (PDF 491 Kb).
You can view a notice of decision in your online file.
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.