a-13.1.1, r. 1 - Individual and Family Assistance Regulation

À jour au 1^er novembre 2021

Ce document a valeur officielle.

chapter A-13.1.1, r. 1

Individual and Family Assistance Regulation

Individual and Family Assistance Act

(chapter A-13.1.1, ss. 131 to 136 and 190).

The amounts prescribed in the Regulation have been indexed as of 1 January 2021 pursuant to the notices published in Part 1 (French) of the Gazette officielle du Québec of 26 December 2020, pages 948 and 949. (ss. 52, 53, 56, 57, 59, 64, 75, 116, 132, 147, 156, 157, 164, 177.24)

TITLE I INTERPRETATION

1. For the purposes of this Regulation, any reference to an employment-assistance measure or program or to a social assistance and support measure or program is a reference to such a measure or program established under Chapter I of Title I of the Individual and Family Assistance Act (chapter A-13.1.1).

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 1.

2. Any reference to an employment-assistance allowance, a support allowance or additional expenses granted by the Minister is a reference to such an allowance or such expenses granted under Chapter I of Title I of the Act, and any reference to an employment-assistance allowance, support allowance or additional expenses recognized by the Minister is a reference to recognition under that Chapter.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 2.

3. Any reference to the Social Assistance Program, the Social Solidarity Program, the Aim for Employment Program or a specific program is a reference to such a program established under the Act.

Any reference to a last resort financial assistance program refers to the Social Assistance Program or the Social Solidarity Program.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 3; O.C. 1085-2017, s. 1.

4. Adults are sheltered as soon as a contribution may be required for the adults under section 512 of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2) or section 159 of the Act respecting health services and social services for Cree Native persons (chapter S-5) as beneficiaries or users sheltered in a facility maintained by an institution referred to in either of those Acts.

Adults are also sheltered while held in custody for an assessment under section 672.11 of the Criminal Code (R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46).

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 4.

5. The expressions “child and youth protection centre”, “rehabilitation centre”, “hospital centre”, “residential and long-term care centre” and “local community service centre”, and the term “institution” when used in relation to one of those expressions, and the expressions “foster home” and “foster family” have the meaning assigned to them by the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2). The same applies to the expression “intermediate resource”.

According to the Act respecting health services and social services for Cree Native persons (chapter S-5), the expressions and term referred to in the first sentence of the first paragraph also include and mean respectively a “social services centre”, a “reception centre in the class of rehabilitation centres”, a “hospital centre in the class of short-term care centre”, a “reception centre in the class of residential care centre” and a “hospital centre in the class of long-term care centre”, a “local community service centre”, an “institution”, a “foster family for adults” and a “foster family for children”.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 5.

TITLE II EMPLOYMENT-ASSISTANCE AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT MEASURES, PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

6. The provisions of the Labour Code (chapter C-27), the Act respecting collective agreement decrees (chapter D-2), the Public Service Act (chapter F-3.1.1) and the Act respecting labour standards (chapter N-1.1) do not apply to work activities that are not governed by the Code or the Acts.

The provisions also do not apply to work activities carried out under employment-assistance measures or programs focused on training or the acquisition of skills. They also do not apply to work activities carried out under employment-assistance measures or programs that include workplace exploration intended to clarify vocational orientation or to support entry on the labour market or job preparation, for the first 4 weeks of each training period, or to work activities carried out under the Young Volunteers employment-assistance measure.

In addition, the provisions do not apply to a person who carries out certain work activities under a social assistance and support measure or program if the activities are part of the person’s efforts to develop his or her self-sufficiency and promote his or her social and professional integration.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 6.

7. The amount of the employment-assistance allowance granted under the second paragraph of section 14 of the Individual and Family Assistance Act (chapter A-13.1.1) to a person who is a recipient under a financial assistance program provided for in Title II of the Act may not be less than $51 per week. However, if the person has no spouse but a dependent child, that amount is increased by $30 per week.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 7; O.C. 573-2008, s. 1; O.C. 159-2013, s. 1; O.C. 1408-2018, s. 1.

8. The amount of the support allowance granted by the Minister under section 16 of the Act to a recipient under the Social Assistance Program or the Social Solidarity Program is $130 per month per person.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 8.

9. For the purposes of the second paragraph of section 17 of the Act, financial assistance granted as an employment-assistance allowance to a Native person is financial assistance granted as such under a manpower and employment agreement entered into with the Government of Canada as part of its Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 9.

10. For the purposes of section 19 of the Act, a person may concurrently receive the allowances provided for therein for a maximum period of 2 consecutive months if the eligibility period for one of those allowances begins during the month in which the eligibility period for another of those allowances ends.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 10.

11. For the purposes of section 20 of the Act, the part of an employment-assistance allowance that is unseizable for non-payment of support is set at $51 per week. However, if the person has no spouse but a dependent child, that part is set at $81 per week.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 11; O.C. 573-2008, s. 2; O.C. 159-2013, s. 2; O.C. 891-2019, s. 1.

TITLE III COMMON PROVISIONS

CHAPTER I INTERPRETATION

12. A child who is a dependant of a brother, sister, uncle, aunt, grandparent or adult who has custody of the child under an order, except in the case of a foster family or a tutor appointed by the court under section 70.1 of the Youth Protection Act (chapter P-34.1), is a dependant of an adult other than the child’s father or mother.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 12; O.C. 861-2008, s. 1.

13. Where custody of a child is shared between the child’s father and mother, or with another adult, in the latter case under an order, the child is considered to be a dependant of the father, mother or other adult if custody arrangements provide for at least 40% custody.

Custody arrangements are determined on a monthly basis taking into account the annual percentage of the custody time set by the court or, if applicable, agreed between the parties.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 13.

14. A child sheltered by an institution operating a rehabilitation centre or taken in charge by an intermediate resource or a foster family is a dependant of a family if the child’s gradual reintegration into the family is part of an intervention plan or individualized service plan established by an institution operating a local community service centre or a child and youth protection centre.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 14.

15. A child who does not reside in Québec within the meaning of the first paragraph of section 20, or is absent from Québec for a calendar month, is not a person’s dependant, unless the child must be absent for one of the reasons and for the duration specified in sections 21 and 22 or for the duration of full-time studies being pursued.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 15; O.C. 330-2015, s. 1.

16. A child whose work income or income from a public plan that would cause the financial assistance granted to the child’s family to fall below the amount to which it would be entitled if the child were not part of the family is not a person’s dependant if the person makes a request to that effect to the Minister. Despite the foregoing, if the financial assistance is granted under a last resort financial assistance program, the child continues to be a dependant of that person for the purposes of the special benefit for pharmaceutical services under section 83.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 16; O.C. 456-2008, s. 1.

16.1. Children of full age referred to in paragraph 2 of section 23 of the Act who are members of a family that is a recipient under a last resort financial assistance program or the Aim for Employment Program may apply, as of the month following the month of the application, to no longer be considered as dependent children, so long as they attend a secondary-level educational institution in general education. The election is irrevocable.

O.C. 1408-2018, s. 2.

17. An adult who is a minor forms a family with her dependent child so long as they are sheltered in the same facility maintained by an institution operating a rehabilitation centre or a hospital centre.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 17.

18. An adult sheltered or taken in charge by an intermediate resource or a foster home, and an adult incarcerated in a penitentiary or detained in a house of detention or any other prison, or required to reside in a half-way house, ceases to be a member of a family.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 18.

19. An adult or a dependent child becomes or ceases to be a member of a family on the date of the event.

For the purposes of a last resort financial assistance program,

(1)  a dependent child who becomes an additional member of the family is considered to be a member of the family as of the preceding month;

(2)  subject to sections 14 and 17, a dependent child sheltered by an institution operating a rehabilitation centre or taken in charge by an intermediate resource, a foster family or a tutor appointed by the court under section 70.1 of the Youth Protection Act (chapter P-34.1), unless the child was a dependant of the tutor in the month preceding the month of the tutor’s appointment, ceases to be a member of the family as of the third month following the month in which the child was sheltered or taken in charge;

(3)  an adult who is sheltered ceases to be a member of the family as of the third month following the month of admission to shelter; however, an adult who has been hospitalized for at least 45 days in a facility maintained by an institution operating a hospital centre at the time of admission to shelter is deemed to have been sheltered since the 45th day preceding the day of the admission;

(3.1)  an adult who stays in a centre that offers addiction services with accommodations, operated by a community or private organization holding a certificate of compliance issued for that purpose by an integrated health and social services centre pursuant to the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2) ceases to be a member of a family from the third month following the beginning of the stay;

(4)  an adult incarcerated in a penitentiary or detained in a house of detention or in any other prison, or who is required to reside in a half-way house ceases to be a member of the family as of the third month following the month of the adult’s incarceration or detention; and

(5)  an adult or a dependent child who dies ceases to be a member of the family as of the third month following the death.

Despite the foregoing, for the purposes of the Aim for Employment Program, the child referred to in subparagraph 1 of the second paragraph becomes a member of the family as of the month following the month in which the child is added to the family; the adult or child referred to in any of subparagraphs 2 to 4 of the second paragraph ceases to be a member of the family as of the month following the event.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 19; O.C. 861-2008, s. 2; O.C. 330-2015, s. 2; O.C. 1085-2017, s. 2.

CHAPTER II GENERAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

20. For the purposes of the first paragraph of section 26 of the Act, an adult’s residence is the place where the adult is ordinarily resident.

An adult who is absent more than 15 cumulative days in a calendar month or more than 7 consecutive days in that month is not considered a resident of Québec.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 20; O.C. 330-2015, s. 3.

21. Despite the second paragraph of section 20, an adult resides in Québec even if the adult must be temporarily absent

(1)  to receive treatment required by the adult’s physical or mental condition, on the written recommendation of a physician entered on the roll of the Ordre des médecins du Québec, for the duration indicated by the physician;

(2)  to accompany, for a period of not more than 6 months, the person who provides the adult with the constant care required by the adult’s physical or mental condition;

(3)  to participate in an employment-assistance measure or program; or

(4)  to carry out remunerated work if the adult is a member of a family residing in Québec.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 21.

22. An adult who provides constant care to a person whose autonomy is significantly reduced because of a physical or mental condition and who must accompany that person during the person’s absence from Québec for the reason given in paragraph 1 of section 21 resides in Québec.

An adult who is retained outside Québec owing to a force majeure for a period of not more than 6 months also resides in Québec.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 22.

23. For the purposes of paragraph 1 of section 27 of the Act, attending a secondary-level educational institution in a vocational program or a postsecondary educational institution means, for an adult,

(1)  pursuing studies on a full-time basis in a vocational program at the secondary level;

(2)  pursuing studies at the postsecondary level

(a)  on a full-time basis;

(b)  in more than 2 courses or in courses giving more than 6 credits or units per term;

(c)  in one or more courses giving credits or units corresponding to a total of more than 6 periods or hours of instruction per week, including laboratories and supervised practical work;

(d)  being registered for more than 6 credits per term for a master’s or doctoral thesis;

(3)  being deemed to pursue recognized studies on a full-time basis within the meaning of section 10 of the Act respecting financial assistance for education expenses (chapter A-13.3) or section 46 of the Regulation respecting financial assistance for education expenses (chapter A-13.3, r. 1); or

(4)  being deemed to be enrolled in the institution within the meaning of section 27 of the Regulation respecting financial assistance for education expenses.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 23.

24. Despite section 23, an adult who attends a secondary-level educational institution in a vocational program or a postsecondary educational institution is eligible to receive financial assistance if the attendance is part of an employment-assistance or social assistance and support measure or program.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 24.

25. The spouse of a student who is ineligible under paragraph 1 of section 27 of the Individual and Family Assistance Act (chapter A-13.1.1) is eligible for financial assistance if the student

(1)  is eligible for financial assistance under the Act respecting financial assistance for education expenses (chapter A-13.3);

(2)  is ineligible for financial assistance because of the contribution of the student’s parents; or

(3)  is ineligible for financial assistance for a reason other than the reason given in subparagraph 2, until the decision of the minister responsible is made pursuant to section 44 of the Act respecting financial assistance for education expenses.

For the purposes of a last resort financial assistance program and except for sections 57, 101, 128, 129, 132 to 151, 164 and 164.1, a student’s spouse ceases to be a member of the family as of the month in which the student becomes ineligible for financial assistance under the Individual and Family Assistance Act. The foregoing also applies to the application of the Aim for Employment Program, except section 101.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 25; O.C. 1085-2017, s. 3.

See Transitional provisions (O.C. 1085-2017).

26. An independent adult required to reside in a half-way house is eligible for financial assistance from the month in which the adult begins residing in the half-way house and

(1)  is authorized to be temporarily absent from a correctional facility or a community correctional centre for reintegration purposes under section 54 or 136 of the Act respecting the Québec correctional system (chapter S-40.1); or

(2)  has been conditionally released under section 143 of that Act.

For the purposes of this section, a half-way house means a community residential centre, a community shelter or a foster home bound by a partnership agreement or service contract with the Minister of Public Security to facilitate the reintegration of the persons required to reside there.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 26; O.C. 456-2008, s. 2.

26.1. Despite section 26, an adult accused who is required to reside in a half-way house, a facility other than a penitentiary, a correctional facility or other prison is eligible for financial assistance. The provisions of this Regulation that are specific to an adult required to reside in a facility do not apply, however, to the accused.

O.C. 456-2008, s. 3.

CHAPTER III ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

27. An application for financial assistance may be made by a responsible person on behalf of a person eligible for financial assistance.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 27.

28. An application for financial assistance may not be refused by reason of a defect in form or an irregularity of procedure that has no bearing on entitlement to or the amount of the financial assistance.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 28.

29. Any notice sent to the person to whom it is addressed or to a person representing that person, at the address provided by the person, is validly given.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 29.

30. (Revoked).

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 30; O.C. 1085-2017, s. 4.

31. For the purposes of section 119 of the Individual and Family Assistance Act (chapter A-13.1.1), the Minister is required to pay interest on the amount that should have been granted from the date of the initial decision or the effective date of that decision if that date is later. The rate is the rate determined under the second paragraph of section 28 of the Tax Administration Act (chapter A-6.002) and the interest is part of the financial assistance granted.

If the decision concerns a special benefit other than those in sections 100, 101 and 108, the interest is payable if the person certifies in writing that he or she acquired the goods or services covered by the special benefit applied for before the date of the review decision or the decision of the Administrative Tribunal of Québec; the interest is calculated from the date on which the person acquired the goods or services.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 31.

32. The Minister is not required to pay interest if

(1)  the amount owed is less than $1;

(2)  the decision concerns a special benefit reimbursed by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec;

(3)  the independent adult or the family has received benefits under sections 49 and 114 of the Individual and Family Assistance Act (chapter A-13.1.1); or

(4)  the independent adult or the family has received benefits following a suspension order made by the Administrative Tribunal of Québec under section 107 of the Act respecting administrative justice (chapter J-3).

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 32.

CHAPTER IV FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ADMINISTERED BY A THIRD PERSON

33. The Minister pays financial assistance to a person or body the Minister designates under section 34 of the Individual and Family Assistance Act (chapter A-13.1.1) if the adult or, where applicable, each adult member of the family or the adult’s representative agrees thereto.

The designated person or body must administer the financial assistance free of charge.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 33.

34. The person or body designated by the Minister must use the financial assistance reasonably, solely for the benefit of the adult or family in whose respect the amount is paid, and not derive any direct or indirect benefit therefrom.

If the sums accumulate, they must be invested reasonably considering the amount they represent, the interest being added to the principal.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 34.

35. The staff of an institution operating a rehabilitation centre, residential and long-term care centre or hospital centre and the persons practising therein may not act as designated persons, except in the case of a person required to provide support to the adult under the Civil Code. The Minister may, however, designate the institution to act as a designated body.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 35.

36. The designated person or body must not use the financial assistance granted by the Minister to pay expenses related to the services that the institution, intermediate resource or foster home must provide as part of its mission or to pay expenses incurred by a person employed by the institution, intermediate resource or foster home.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 36.

37. The designated person or body may pay the cost of personal services provided by the institution, intermediate resource or foster home, without being required to do so, for the adult for whom the financial assistance is administered, insofar as the cost does not exceed the cost normally required for an equivalent service.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 37.

38. The designated person or body must manage the financial assistance the person or body administers separately for each adult or, where applicable, for each family, in such manner that the financial assistance may be identified and its existence and use justified. In the case of a body or an institution, it must keep an accounting record for that purpose and make it available to the Minister.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 38.

39. The designated person or body must retain the vouchers for the expenses paid using the financial assistance the designated person or body administers and, at the request of the Minister, submit a report on the administration of the financial assistance to the Minister.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 39.

TITLE IV LAST RESORT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

CHAPTER I INTERPRETATION

40. For the purposes of this Title, an independent adult or a family who is eligible to receive dental and pharmaceutical services pursuant to section 48 is not a recipient under a last resort financial assistance program.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 40.

41. An independent adult or a family resides in the same dwelling unit as another person

(1)  if the dwelling unit is occupied with a co-lessee or co-owner;

(2)  when fewer than 2 rooms are rented or offered for rent if the dwelling unit is occupied with another independent adult or another family;

(3)  when 2 or more rooms are rented or offered for rent if the dwelling unit is occupied with a recipient under a last resort financial assistance program with whom the independent adult or family does not form a family and who is an ascendant or descendant in the direct line or a brother or sister, if the recipient, independent adult or family is the owner or lessee of the dwelling unit; or

(3.1)  when 2 or more rooms are rented or offered for rent if the cohabitation is necessary for, where applicable:

(a)  the lessor or a member of the family who occupies the unit to provide constant care to a person who occupies the unit and whose autonomy is significantly reduced because of a physical or mental condition;

(b)  a person who occupies the unit to provide constant care to the lessor or a member of the family who occupies the unit and whose autonomy is significantly reduced because of a physical or mental condition;

(4)  if a room is occupied with another independent adult or another family, except in the case of a community residence that provides room and board and assistance or rehabilitation services for a consideration.

Despite the first paragraph, the spouse of an ineligible student is deemed to reside in the same dwelling unit as the student.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 41; O.C. 330-2015, s. 4.

42. Despite section 41, the person in charge of a foster family, a foster home, an intermediate resource, a shelter for persons who are victims of violence or a foster home under a service contract with the Minister of Public Security is deemed not to reside in the same dwelling unit as the persons taken in charge. The foregoing also applies to a tutor appointed by the court under section 70.1 of the Youth Protection Act (chapter P-34.1), in respect of the child under tutorship.

An independent adult or a family taken in charge by one of the resources listed in the first paragraph is deemed not to reside in the same dwelling unit as the other persons so taken in charge.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 42; O.C. 861-2008, s. 3; S.Q. 2021, c. 13, s. 175.

43. For the purposes of this Regulation, housing premises are a dwelling unit if they have a separate exit leading outside or to a common corridor, self-contained sanitary facilities and a separate area for the preparation of meals.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 43.

44. Unless otherwise provided, “work income” refers to any remuneration paid for the performance of work. Benefits, indemnities or pensions granted to compensate the loss of such income because of, among other things, a disability or retirement do not constitute work income.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 44.

CHAPTER II ELIGIBILITY

45. An application for eligibility is made on the date on which the form provided by the Minister, duly completed and signed, is received by the Minister.

If the Minister has already received a written document from the applicant indicating the applicant’s intent to make an application, the date of application is the date on which the Minister receives the document, if the form provided by the Minister is completed and signed within a reasonable time.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 45.

46. A statement by an adult who is sheltered to the effect that the adult wishes to be exempted from paying the price of the shelter stands in lieu of a validly completed application for eligibility if the statement contains the information relevant to such an application.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 46.

47. An adult in a class of persons other than those referred to in subparagraphs 1 to 4 of the first paragraph of section 26 of the Act and who is in one of the following situations is eligible under a last resort financial assistance program:

(1)  the adult applies for asylum to be granted in Canada by the competent Canadian authority in accordance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (S.C. 2001, c. 27);

(2)  the adult has been refused asylum, but the adult’s presence in the territory is permitted in accordance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act;

(3)  the adult is the subject of an application to become a permanent resident on humanitarian or public interest grounds made in accordance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, has a selection certificate issued under section 3.1 of the Québec Immigration Act (chapter I-0.2.1) and the adult’s spouse is a person referred to in subparagraphs 1 to 4 of the first paragraph of section 26 of the Individual and Family Assistance Act (chapter A-13.1.1).

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 47.

48. An independent adult or a family who ceases to be eligible under a last resort financial assistance program continues to be eligible to receive the dental and pharmaceutical services to which sections 70 and 71.1 of the Health Insurance Act (chapter A-29) refer in the cases and on the conditions that follow:

(1)  for not more than 6 consecutive months if the ineligibility results from work income earned by the independent adult or an adult member of the family;

(1.1)  for not more than 6 consecutive months if the ineligibility results from sums received by the independent adult or an adult member of the family as benefits to compensate for the loss of employment income that are paid by the Government of Canada under a program established following the declaration of a public health emergency or a Canada Recovery Benefit related to the COVID-19 pandemic;

(2)  if the ineligibility results from the employment-assistance allowance paid by the Minister or financial assistance paid by a third party and recognized as such by the Minister during the entire period in which the allowance or financial assistance is granted;

(3)  for not more than 48 consecutive months if ineligibility for the Social Solidarity Program results from work income earned by the independent adult or an adult member of the family;

(3.1)  for not more than 48 consecutive months if ineligibility for the Social Solidarity Program results from sums received by the independent adult or an adult member of the family as benefits to compensate for the loss of employment income that are paid by the Government of Canada under a program established following the declaration of a public health emergency or a Canada Recovery Benefit related to the COVID-19 pandemic; and

(4)  for not more than 6 consecutive months in the case of an independent adult or a family whose benefits are administered by the Public Curator, except in the case of an independent adult who is sheltered or an adult who is a minor sheltered with her dependent child, and the ineligibility results from excess liquid assets.

The special benefits in sections 88 to 91, the first paragraph of section 93, sections 97 and 98, paragraphs 1, 2 and 4 of section 99 and paragraphs 2 to 6 of section 100 are also granted to an independent adult or a family referred to in subparagraph 3 or 3.1 of the first paragraph.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 48; O.C. 176-2011, s. 1; O.C. 1350-2020, s. 1.

49. Section 48 applies so long as the adult continues, on an ongoing basis, to meet the eligibility requirements therein and so long as the adult’s resources and, if applicable, the resources of the adult’s family fall short of the amount necessary to meet the adult’s needs according to the calculation in section 55 of the Individual and Family Assistance Act (chapter A-13.1.1), without taking into account the income giving rise to the ineligibility.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 49.

50. An independent adult or a family referred to in subparagraph 1, 1.1, 3 or 3.1 of the first paragraph of section 48 may continue to be eligible to receive dental and pharmaceutical services if, after the first month of ineligibility, the income or sums referred to in those subparagraphs are replaced by maternity, paternity, parental or adoption benefits under the Act respecting parental insurance (chapter A-29.011), maternity, parental or compassionate care benefits under the Employment Insurance Act (S.C. 1996, c. 23) or in the case of work income, by benefits to compensate for the loss of employment income that are paid by the Government of Canada under a program established following the declaration of a public health emergency or a Canada Recovery Benefit related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and, in all cases, without reference to the work income and those benefits, the resources of the independent adult or family fall short of the amount necessary to meet their needs.

The same applies if, after the first month of ineligibility, the income or sums referred to in subparagraph 3 or 3.1 of the first paragraph of section 48 are replaced by benefits under the Employment Insurance Act, other than those referred to in the first paragraph, and, without reference to those benefits, the resources of the independent adult or family fall short of the amount necessary to meet their needs.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 50; O.C. 861-2008, s. 4; O.C. 176-2011, s. 2; O.C. 1350-2020, s. 2.

51. An independent adult or a family referred to in any of subparagraphs 1 to 3.1 of the first paragraph of section 48 continues to be eligible to receive dental and pharmaceutical services if, during the period provided for therein, work income or the sums received as benefits to compensate for the loss of employment income that are paid by the Government of Canada under a program established following the declaration of a public health emergency or a Canada Recovery Benefit related to the COVID-19 pandemic ceases but the adult or family remains ineligible under a last resort financial assistance program because of an employment-assistance allowance paid or recognized as such by the Minister.

The same applies if eligibility for such an allowance ceases but the adult or family remains ineligible under a last resort financial assistance program because of eligibility for another such allowance, because of work income or sums received as benefits to compensate for the loss of employment income that are paid by the Government of Canada under a program established following the declaration of a public health emergency or a Canada Recovery Benefit related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In those cases, the independent adult or the family is eligible to receive dental and pharmaceutical services and, if applicable, the special benefits referred to in the second paragraph of section 48, according to the period and on the conditions set out in the new provision that applies, regardless of the time elapsed.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 51; O.C. 1350-2020, s. 3.

CHAPTER III SOCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

DIVISION I ELIGIBILITY RELATED TO LIQUID ASSETS

52. An independent adult or a family who, on the date of application, owns liquid assets in excess of an amount established as follows, is ineligible under the Social Assistance Program:

Number of                    Number of                   Liquid assets
 adults                 dependent children 

    1                           0                             $887    
    1                           1                           $1,268    
    1                           2                           $1,502
    2                           0                           $1,319
    2                           1                           $1,573
    2                           2                           $1,807                                

The amount is increased by $273 for the third dependent child and for each additional child.

Liquid assets owned by the family of an ineligible student’s spouse may not exceed $887, which is increased by $298 for the first dependent child and by $273 for each additional child.

The amounts are also increased by $200 for any dependent child receiving a supplement for handicapped children under the Taxation Act (chapter I-3).

In the case of a woman who is a minor sheltered with her dependent child, the liquid assets owned on the date of application may not exceed $887.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 52; O.C. 1096-2006, s. 1; O.C. 1064-2007, s. 1; O.C. 1145-2008, s. 1; O.C. 1279-2009, s. 1; O.C. 1026-2010, s. 1.

53. Despite section 52, an independent adult or a family who is eligible to receive dental and pharmaceutical services pursuant to section 48 or to whom financial assistance is granted under the Aim for Employment Program or a specific program, and who makes an application during that period or in the month following that period is ineligible under the program if the liquid assets owned on the date of application exceed an amount established as follows:

Number of                 Number of                  Liquid assets
 adults               dependent children

    1                         0                         $2,500
    1                         1                         $5,445
    1                         2                         $5,718
    2                         0                         $5,000
    2                         1                         $5,298
    2                         2                         $5,571

                                    

The amount is increased by $273 for the third dependent child and for each additional child.

Liquid assets owned by the family of an ineligible student’s spouse may not exceed $2,500, which is increased by $298 for the first dependent child and by $273 for each additional child.

The amounts are also increased by $200 for any dependent child receiving a supplement for handicapped children under the Taxation Act.

In the case of an adult who is a minor sheltered with her dependent child, the liquid assets owned on the date of application may not exceed $2,500.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 53; O.C. 1096-2006, s. 2; O.C. 1064-2007, s. 2; O.C. 1145-2008, s. 2; O.C. 1279-2009, s. 2; O.C. 1026-2010, s. 2; O.C. 1085-2017, s. 5.

54. For the purposes of sections 52 and 53, the following amounts are also excluded:

(1)  the liquid assets referred to in sections 134 to 136, 138, except paragraph 10, and sections 139 to 141; and

(2)  cheques outstanding on the date of application to pay rent, heating, electricity or any other form of energy provided the cheques are cashable in the month of the application.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 54.

55. In accordance with the second paragraph of section 48 of the Individual and Family Assistance Act (chapter A-13.1.1), no benefit may be granted for the month if the application of an independent adult or a family for eligibility under the program is refused pursuant to sections 52 to 54. In such a case, a new application for eligibility under the program may be made only as of the first day of the month following the refusal and those sections apply to the new application.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 55.

DIVISION II RECOGNIZED NEEDS

§ 1 . — Basic benefits and allowances

56. The basic benefit granted to an independent adult or a family composed of only one adult is $663 and the basic benefit granted to a family composed of 2 adults is $1,027.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 56; O.C. 1096-2006, s. 3; O.C. 1064-2007, s. 3; O.C. 1145-2008, s. 3; O.C. 1279-2009, s. 3; O.C. 1026-2010, s. 3.

57. Despite section 56, the basic benefit is $563 or $927, as the case may be, if the independent adult or an adult member of the family resides in the same dwelling unit, within the meaning of section 43, as his or her father or mother, unless

(1)  the father or mother is a recipient under a last resort financial assistance program;

(2)  the adult proves that the father or mother is receiving the maximum amount of the monthly guaranteed income supplement under the Old Age Security Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. O-9);

(3)  the family is composed of only 1 adult and at least 1 dependent child;

(4)  the cohabitation is necessary to enable the independent adult or a member of the family to receive constant care from the father or mother because of an illness or disability, or to provide such care to the father or mother; or

(5)  the cohabitation is necessary to enable the independent adult or a member of the family to provide constant care because of an illness or disability of the grandfather, grandmother, spouse of the father or mother, brother or sister, or to enable the father or mother to provide such care to that person if the person resides with the father or mother.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 57; O.C. 1096-2006, s. 4; O.C. 1064-2007, s. 4; O.C. 1145-2008, s. 4; O.C. 1279-2009, s. 4; O.C. 1026-2010, s. 4.

58. If an independent adult or a family proves at a later date that the father or mother receives the maximum amount of the monthly guaranteed income supplement, the basic benefit granted for the months in which the supplement is paid may be modified on request to reflect that situation, up to 12 months before the date of the application.

A parent who receives, for the month of June of a year, the maximum amount of the supplement is deemed to receive the maximum amount for the following month.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 58.

59. The basic benefit of an ineligible student’s spouse is $183 or $133 in the cases and on the conditions in section 57.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 59; O.C. 1096-2006, s. 5; O.C. 1064-2007, s. 5; O.C. 1145-2008, s. 5; O.C. 1279-2009, s. 5; O.C. 1026-2010, s. 5.

60. The basic benefit of an independent adult who is sheltered, an adult who is a minor sheltered with her dependent child and an independent adult required to reside in an institution corresponds to the amount of the personal expense allowance referred to in the second paragraph of section 512 of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2).

The same applies to an independent adult who stays in a centre that offers addiction services with accommodations, operated by a community or private organization holding a certificate of compliance issued for that purpose by an integrated health and social services centre pursuant to the Act respecting health services and social services.

The amount of the basic benefit is published in Part 1 of the Gazette officielle du Québec.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 60; O.C. 1096-2006, s. 6; O.C. 1064-2007, s. 6; O.C. 1145-2008, s. 6; O.C. 1279-2009, s. 6; O.C. 1026-2010, s. 6; O.C. 330-2015, s. 5; O.C. 1408-2018, s. 3.

61. The basic benefit of an independent adult who is sheltered, an adult who is a minor sheltered with her dependent child, an ineligible student’s spouse or an independent adult required to reside in an institution is adjusted for the month in which a change in circumstances results in an increased benefit amount, after deducting, where applicable, the special benefit provided for in section 82 granted to pay the dwelling expenses for the month of the adjustment;

The same applies to an independent adult who stays in a centre that offers addiction services with accommodations, operated by a community or private organization holding a certificate of compliance issued for that purpose by an integrated health and social services centre pursuant to the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2).

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 61; O.C. 330-2015, s. 6.

62. For the purposes of subparagraph 3 of the first paragraph of section 53 of the Individual and Family Assistance Act (chapter A-13.1.1), a temporarily limited capacity allowance is added to the basic benefit if an independent adult provides childcare to a dependent child of the adult and the child is under 5 years of age on the previous 30 September or, if the child is 5 years of age on that date, no full-time kindergarten class is available to the child.

In the case of a family referred to in subparagraph 2 of the first paragraph of section 25 of the Act, a temporarily limited capacity allowance is added to the basic benefit if an adult member provides childcare to the adult’s dependent child who is under 5 years of age on the previous 30 September or, if the child is 5 years of age on that date, if no full-time kindergarten class is available for the child, and the adult’s spouse is in one of the following situations:

(1)  the spouse shows, by producing a medical report, that the spouse is unable, owing to the spouse’s physical or mental state, for a period of at least 1 month, to engage in a job preparation, integration or retention activity;

(2)  the spouse provides childcare to the spouse’s dependent child, other than the child of 5 years of age or under, who is handicapped within the meaning of subparagraph b of the second paragraph of section 1029.8.61.18 of the Taxation Act (chapter I-3);

(3)  the spouse provides constant care to an adult, other than his or her spouse, whose autonomy is significantly reduced because of a physical or mental condition.

In the case of an adult whose spouse is an ineligible student under paragraph 1 of section 27 of the Act, the provisions provided for in the second paragraph apply with the necessary modifications.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 62; O.C. 511-2013, s. 1.

63. For the purposes of subparagraph 4 of the first paragraph of section 53 of the Act, a temporarily limited capacity allowance is added to the basic benefit if an independent adult or an adult member of a family is 58 years of age or older and applies for the allowance.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 63; O.C. 511-2013, s. 2.

63.1. A temporarily limited capacity allowance is added to the basic benefit if an independent adult or an adult member of a family has charge of a child for whom he or she was appointed tutor by the court under section 70.1 of the Youth Protection Act (chapter P-34.1).

O.C. 861-2008, s. 5.

64. The temporarily limited capacity allowance is $140 if an independent adult, only 1 adult member of a family or an ineligible student’s spouse has temporarily limited capacities.

The allowance is $242 if both adult members of a family have temporarily limited capacities, unless 1 adult may not receive the allowance pursuant to section 54 of the Act or section 65 of this Regulation, in which case the allowance is $140.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 64; O.C. 1096-2006, s. 7; O.C. 1064-2007, s. 7; O.C. 1145-2008, s. 7; O.C. 1279-2009, s. 7; O.C. 1026-2010, s. 7.

65. The temporarily limited capacity allowance does not apply to an independent adult who is sheltered, an independent adult referred to in the second paragraph of section 60, an adult who is a minor sheltered with her dependent child, an independent adult required to reside in an institution or an adult referred to in section 47.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 65; O.C. 330-2015, s. 7.

§ 2 . —

(Revoked)

O.C. 1073-2006, Sd. 2; S.Q. 2011, c. 1, s. 163.

66. (Revoked).

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 66; O.C. 1096-2006, s. 8; O.C. 1064-2007, s. 8; O.C. 1145-2008, s. 8; O.C. 1279-2009, s. 8; S.Q. 2011, c. 1, s. 163.

67. (Revoked).

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 67; S.Q. 2011, c. 1, s. 163.

§ 2.1 . — Adjustments for adults

O.C. 434-2011, s. 1.

67.1. In the case of an independent adult or a family covered by paragraph 1 or 2 of section 47, the basic benefit is adjusted as follows:

(1)  in the case of an independent adult or a family composed of only one adult and if the adult resides in the same dwelling unit as another independent adult or another family: $14.92;

(2)  in the case of an independent adult or a family composed of only one adult: $25.08;

(3)  in the case of a family composed of 2 adults: $29.83; and

(4)  in the case of an independent adult who is sheltered or an adult who is a minor sheltered with her dependent child: $14.92.

For the purposes of the first paragraph, a student ineligible for last resort financial assistance is deemed to be a member of the family of the student’s spouse.

For the purposes of subparagraph 3 of the first paragraph, each adult must be covered by paragraph 1 or 2 of section 47.

O.C. 434-2011, s. 1.

67.2. The adjustment in section 67.1 does not apply to an independent adult required to reside in an institution.

O.C. 434-2011, s. 1.

67.3. The basic benefit is adjusted by $20 in the case of an independent adult who meets the following conditions:

(1)  he or she has been a recipient for at least 6 consecutive months;

(2)  a temporarily limited capacity allowance has not been added to his or her benefit;

(3)  he or she is not required to reside in a half-way house, except if he or she is an accused referred to in section 26.1, and is not sheltered by a foster home, by an intermediate resource or within the meaning of section 4;

(4)  he or she does not live in a dwelling in low-rental housing within the meaning of article 1984 of the Civil Code, or a dwelling for which an amount is paid in discharge of rent under the National Housing Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. N-11);

(5)  he or she does not receive a special benefit under section 88.1;

(6)  he or she is not the spouse of an ineligible student.

The calculation of consecutive months required for eligibility for the adjustment includes the months during which an independent adult is eligible to receive dental and pharmaceutical services pursuant to section 48.

Despite paragraph 13 of section 111, the amount of the adjustment is reduced by the amount the independent adult received the previous month as housing allowance under a program implemented pursuant to section 3.1 of the Act respecting the Société d’habitation du Québec (chapter S-8).

In the case of an independent adult covered by paragraph 1 or 2 of section 47, the adjustment is added to the adjustment provided for in section 67.1, if applicable.

O.C. 1353-2013, s. 2.

67.4. The basic benefit granted to an independent adult, a family or the spouse of an ineligible student is adjusted by $45, except in the case of the persons referred to in section 60.

O.C. 7-2018, s. 1; O.C. 1408-2018, s. 4; O.C. 1408-2018, s. 17; O.C. 1350-2020, s. 4.

§ 3 . — Adjustments for dependent children

68. In the case of a family composed of only 1 adult and at least 1 dependent child, the basic benefit is adjusted by $108.33.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 68.

69. The basic benefit is adjusted by $52.08 for each minor dependent child in the family.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 69.

70. The basic benefit is adjusted by the following amounts for each minor dependent child: $107.75 for the first child, $90.58 for the second child and $84.08 for each additional child.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 70.

71. A family is deemed to receive the annual amount of the family allowance under section 1029.8.61.18 of the Taxation Act (chapter I-3), except the supplement for the purchase of school supplies, and the annual amount of the Canada child benefit granted under Subdivision A.1 of Division E of Part I of the Income Tax Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. 1 (5th Suppl.)), which are divided by 12. The same applies to an amount paid to a person who is not a member of the family, and that is used by that person for the needs of a dependent child. In addition, the family is presumed to receive, for the month of July of each year, the maximum amount of the Canada child benefit.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 71; O.C. 1085-2017, s. 6; S.Q. 2019, c. 14, s. 666; O.C. 1408-2018, s. 5.

72. The sum of the adjustments in sections 68 and 69 in the case of a family composed of only 1 adult or in section 69 in the case of a family composed of 2 adults is reduced by the amount received by the family as a family allowance.

Any amounts received as a Canada child benefit are subtracted from the adjustments in section 70, unless the dependent child is in a foster family, sheltered by an institution operating a rehabilitation centre or taken in charge by a tutor appointed by the court under section 70.1 of the Youth Protection Act (chapter P-34.1).

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 72; O.C. 861-2008, s. 6; O.C. 1085-2017, s. 7; S.Q. 2019, c. 14, s. 666.

73. The basic benefit is adjusted by $8.58 for each minor dependent child 12 years of age or older if the child is the first or second child of the family.

The adjustment does not apply if the dependent child is placed in a foster family, sheltered by an institution operating a rehabilitation centre or taken in charge by a tutor appointed by the court under section 70.1 of the Youth Protection Act (chapter P-34.1).

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 73; O.C. 861-2008, s. 7.

74. The basic benefit of a family composed of only 1 adult and at least 1 child of full age attending a secondary-level educational institution in a vocational program or a postsecondary educational institution is adjusted by $136.67 for the first child and by $121 for the second child.

If the family is composed of 2 adults, the basic benefit is adjusted by $121 for the first child and by $96 for the second child.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 74.

75. For each dependent child of full age attending a secondary-level educational institution in general education, the basic benefit is adjusted by $264.75 for the first child, by $247.58 for the second child and by $247.75 for each additional child.

The amounts are adjusted by $200 if the child is handicapped within the meaning of section 1029.8.61.18 of the Taxation Act (chapter I-3).

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 75; O.C. 1096-2006, s. 9; O.C. 1064-2007, s. 9; O.C. 1145-2008, s. 9; O.C. 1279-2009, s. 9; O.C. 1026-2010, s. 8.

76. In the case of a family composed of only 1 adult and at least 3 dependent children the third of which and, if applicable, each additional child are of full age and attend a secondary-level educational institution in a vocational program or a postsecondary educational institution, the basic benefit is adjusted by $8.33 for the first child and by $22.83 for the second child.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 76.

77. For the purposes of sections 70 and 73 to 76, the youngest dependent child is the first child.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 77.

78. The basic benefit is adjusted by $100 for each dependent child who resides with his or her family within the meaning of section 20 while attending a secondary-level educational institution in a vocational program or a postsecondary educational institution.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 78.

79. The adjustments in sections 69 to 76 and 78 do not apply to a family composed of only 1 adult or 2 adults referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of section 47. In that case, the basic benefit is adjusted by one of the following amounts:

(1)  if the family is composed of only 1 adult: $136.67 for the first dependent child and $121 for the second dependent child; or

(2)  if the family is composed of 2 adults: $121 for the first dependent child and $96 for the second dependent child.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 79.

80. The adjustments for dependent children do not apply to an adult who is a minor sheltered with her dependent child or to an ineligible student’s spouse.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 80.

§ 4 . — Special benefits

81. The basic benefit is increased by the amount of the special benefits provided for in this subdivision in the cases and on the conditions set out herein.

Despite the foregoing, an independent adult who is sheltered and the family of an adult who is a minor sheltered with her dependent child cease to be eligible for special benefits other than special benefits for dwelling expenses and for funeral expenses as of the month that follows the month of admission to shelter. An independent adult who is sheltered in a facility maintained by an institution operating a hospital centre is eligible for the special benefits other than those in sections 100 and 101.

In addition, an adult member of a family who is sheltered is ineligible for the special benefits as of the third month that follows the month of admission to shelter.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 81.

82. A special benefit is granted to an independent adult who is sheltered, an independent adult referred to in the second paragraph of section 60 and to an adult who is a minor sheltered with her dependent child to pay the expenses of the dwelling occupied before admission to shelter that the adult is required to pay, up to $416 per month for not more than 12 months as of the month that follows the month of admission.

The payment of the special benefit is maintained, on the same conditions, if the independent adult or the family is subsequently taken in charge by an intermediate resource or a foster home.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 82; O.C. 330-2015, s. 8.

83. The dental, pharmaceutical and optometric services to which sections 70 and 71.1 of the Health Insurance Act (chapter A-29) refer and the replacement cost of an acrylic dental prosthesis provided by a dentist or denturologist following a loss or irreparable breakage are granted as special benefits up to one-half of the rate set by the Board.

A special benefit is also granted for the cost of a medical report produced in accordance with subparagraph 1 of the first paragraph of section 53 or section 70 of the Individual and Family Assistance Act (chapter A-13.1.1).

Special benefits are reimbursed by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec according to its standards and practices.

The requirements of section 84 do not apply in respect of those benefits, except the benefit in subparagraph 2 of the first paragraph of that section that applies for the purchase, replacement or relining of a dental prosthesis.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 83.

84. Subject to the particular eligibility requirements set by the Minister or an agreement to otherwise fill the need for which a special benefit is required, in accordance with section 58 of the Act, a special benefit is granted if

(1)  the necessity of the need is recognized by the Minister;

(2)  prior authorization to fill the need is given by the Minister, except in an emergency or in the case of the special benefit for transportation and living expenses to receive care or the special benefit for living expenses in a centre, operated by a community or private organization, that offers addiction services with accommodations; and

(3)  the costs or fees correspond to the actual cost of the goods acquired or the services provided up to the cost normally required to fill the need without exceeding the amount set for the benefit.

In the absence of prior authorization, the payment application must be filed not later than 30 days after the goods or services have been supplied or as soon as possible if it was impossible for the applicant to act within that period. If the service provided is transportation by ambulance or if the application is for funeral expenses, the period is extended to 90 days.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 84; O.C. 1043-2009, s. 1; O.C. 159-2013, s. 3.

85. A special benefit is reduced by the amount of any indemnity paid by a third party to cover the same costs.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 85.

86. In the case of the special benefits in sections 88 to 91, 97, 98, paragraphs 1 and 2 of section 99 and sections 100 and 103, the necessity of the need must be certified in writing by a physician, a dentist, a specialized nurse practitioner or a person designated by the Minister, as the case may be.

The same applies in the case of a special benefit for the cost of moving required for health reasons.

In the case of a special benefit granted for a pregnancy and a benefit for transportation and living expenses to receive care, the necessity of the need may be certified by a midwife. For a pregnancy, the certificate must indicate the recipient’s name and date of birth, the number of weeks of pregnancy and the expected date of delivery.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 86; S.Q. 2020, c. 6, s. 33.

87. The calculation of consecutive months required for eligibility for a special benefit includes the months during which an independent adult or a family is eligible to receive dental and pharmaceutical services pursuant to section 48, and the 6 months following the date on which, because of excess liquid assets, a benefit ceased to be paid to an independent adult who is sheltered or an adult who is a minor sheltered with her dependent child.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 87.

88. A special benefit is granted for transportation and living expenses, except living expenses referred to in section 88.1, to have an adult or a dependent child treated by or on referral of a physician, a dentist, a specialized nurse practitioner or a midwife, up to $250 for the same trip. That maximum is $275 for such transportation by ambulance and $350 for such transportation by air.

Those expenses are paid only up to the amount of expenses normally paid for treatment at the place that offers the same service and is nearest to the residence of the adult or dependent child.

The special benefit is not granted if the trip is covered by the Politique de déplacement des usagers du réseau de la santé et des services sociaux established by the Minister of Health and Social Services.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 88; O.C. 511-2013, s. 3; S.Q. 2020, c. 6, s. 33.

88.1. A special benefit is granted to pay the living expenses of an adult or dependent child for accommodations in a centre that offers addiction services with accommodations, operated by a community or private organization holding a certificate of compliance issued for that purpose by an integrated health and social services centre pursuant to the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2).

The need for accommodations must be assessed by a person designated by the Minister after consulting the Minister of Health and Social Services or by a physician. It must be certified in writing using the form provided by the Minister. The need for accommodations must be reassessed after each 90 days of accommodation, according to the same terms and conditions.

In addition to the assessments provided for in the second paragraph, the Minister may, if deemed appropriate, request confirmation of the need for accommodations from a person designated by the Minister. In such case the special benefit continues to be paid, unless the Minister decides otherwise within 30 days of his or her request.

A request for confirmation may be made

(1)  after 180 days of accommodation within a 12-month period and thereafter after each 90 days of accommodation;

(2)  at the beginning of each stay subsequent to the second stay within a 12-month period and thereafter after each 90 days of accommodation.

The living expenses correspond to the actual cost up to the daily rate applicable to a health and social services institution, provided for in the Regulation respecting the application of the Act respecting health services and social services for Cree Native persons (chapter S-5, r. 1), for the category of room occupied by the adult or dependent child, without exceeding the daily rate applicable for a semi-private room.

The special benefit may be paid directly to an organization with the consent of the independent adult or an adult member of the family.

O.C. 1043-2009, s. 2; O.C. 511-2013, s. 4; O.C. 330-2015, s. 9; O.C. 364-2015.

89. The least expensive means of transportation in the circumstances must be used.

If transportation is by private vehicle, the special benefit is paid to cover parking fees and vehicle use expenses up to $0.145 per kilometre travelled.

The vehicle use expenses are, however, paid up to $0.465 per kilometre if the transportation is provided by a volunteer driver under the control of a humanitarian organization recognized by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux under one of its support programs, provided the total remuneration for such transportation, excluding parking fees, is no more than a contribution to vehicle use expenses and the organization keeps a permanent record of all trips made. In such a case, the claim for payment may be made by the organization, with the consent of the independent adult or an adult member of the family, and the special benefit paid directly to the organization.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 89; O.C. 456-2008, s. 4; O.C. 1085-2017, s. 8; O.C. 891-2019, s. 2.

90. The need for transportation by taxi must be certified in writing by the physician, dentist, specialized nurse practitioner or midwife, as the case may be, unless it is the most economical means of transportation. The certificate must establish that the urgency of the situation or the nature of the treatment prevents the use of a more economical means of transportation.

In the case of the transportation of an adult, the special benefit for the cost of each trip is reduced by the lesser of $20 and 20% of the transportation cost. The maximum reduction is $20 per month without exceeding $100 per year per adult, calculated using the date of receipt of the application for payment or, if applicable, the date of prior authorization by the Minister.

The special benefit may be paid directly to the taxi transport service provider with the consent of the independent adult or an adult member of the family.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 90; O.C. 456-2008, s. 5; S.Q. 2020, c. 6, s. 34.

91. If an adult is transported by ambulance, the special benefit is granted if the need for the transportation is certified in writing by a physician or, where applicable, by a midwife, a specialized nurse practitioner or a person designated for that purpose by an institution to which the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2) or the Act respecting health services and social services for Cree Native persons (chapter S-5) applies that maintains a facility to which the adult or dependent child is taken. The special benefit is also granted if the transportation is authorized by a health communication centre set up pursuant to section 18 of the Act respecting pre-hospital emergency services (chapter S-6.2).

The payment application may be made by the carrier, in which case the application must include proof of transportation indicating whether there was a necessity for transportation by ambulance, unless the transportation was authorized by a health communication centre. The Minister pays the carrier and, if the necessity of the need is not established, the adult must reimburse the Minister.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 91; S.Q. 2020, c. 6, s. 35.

92. A special benefit is granted for transportation and living expenses incurred by a recipient to return to the recipient’s home environment.

The maximum benefit granted is $250 for every 12-month period.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 92.

93. A special benefit is granted for moving expenses if the move is for health reasons and the independent adult or one of the adult members of the family has been a recipient for at least 6 consecutive months.

A special benefit is also granted for expenses to have a heating system installed or repaired.

All expenses provided for in this section are payable up to a total amount of $200 for every 12-month period.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 93.

94. A maximum special benefit of $200 is granted for moving expenses if the spouses separate.

The expenses of only 1 move are paid for any 12-month period, unless the move is court-ordered.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 94.

95. A maximum special benefit of $250 for any 1 case is granted for transportation and living expenses incurred by an adult who travels more than 50 km from the adult’s place of residence in connection with the enforcement of a claim for support.

If transportation is by private vehicle, the special benefit is granted for parking fees and vehicle use expenses up to $0.145 per kilometre travelled.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 95; O.C. 456-2008, s. 6.

96. A special benefit is granted, in accordance with Schedule I, to cover the cost of glasses or lenses for an adult or a dependent child if the independent adult or one of the adult members of the family has been a recipient for at least 6 consecutive months.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 96.

97. A special benefit is granted, in accordance with Schedule II, to cover the cost of orthopedic shoes or plantar orthoses.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 97.

98. A special benefit is granted, in accordance with Schedule III, to cover the cost of prostheses, orthoses and accessories.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 98.

99. A special benefit is granted to cover the cost of

(1)  (paragraph revoked);

(2)  installing a home hemodialysis machine, up to $300;

(3)  an intra-uterine device, up to $25; and

(4)  replacement batteries for a hearing aid whose cost is covered by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec, in the lump-sum amount of $5 per hearing aid per month.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 99; O.C. 891-2019, s. 3.

100. A continuous special benefit is granted in the following cases as of the month in which the Minister receives the required certificate:

(1)  $55 per month for a pregnancy;

(2)  $100 per month for hemodialysis, if the family is composed of only 1 adult member;

(3)  $100 per month for paraplegia, if the benefit was granted for the month of August 1992 and has been granted without interruption since then;

(4)  $20 per month for diabetes;

(5)  (paragraph revoked);

(6)  to cover the cost of oxygen for medical purposes.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 100; O.C. 891-2019, s. 4.

101. A continuous special benefit of $55 per month is granted for the breastfeeding of a dependent child under 12 months of age, as of the month in which the mother applies for the benefit indicating the expected period of breastfeeding.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 101; O.C. 159-2013, s. 4.

102. A special benefit is granted to cover the cost of liquid concentrate infant formulas, soy-based liquid concentrate formulas or lactose-free liquid concentrate formulas for a dependent child under 9 months of age.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 102.

103. A special benefit is granted to cover the cost of soy-based liquid concentrate formulas or lactose-free liquid concentrate formulas for a dependent child between 9 and 12 months of age as soon as the Minister receives a certificate signed by a physician or a specialized nurse practitioner.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 103; S.Q. 2020, c. 6, s. 36.

104. The special benefit provided for in section 102 is granted for a maximum of 35 cases of 12-385 ml cans over the period covered. The special benefit provided for in section 103 is granted for a maximum of 9 cases of 12-385 ml cans over the period covered.

The benefits are established as follows:

(1)  if the dependent child is under 7 months of age: $32 per purchase of 2 cases of 12-385 ml cans, up to 48 cans per month;

(2)  if the dependent child is between seven and 12 months of age: $16 per purchase of one case of 12-385 ml cans, up to 36 cans per month.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 104.

105. The special benefits in sections 102 and 103 are reimbursed to the pharmacist who is a member of the Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec and is covered by an agreement between the Minister and the person mandated by the Minister for the administration of benefit payments.

The benefits are granted for the purchase from the pharmacist of cases of formula covered by an agreement between the Minister and the formula suppliers.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 105.

106. The special benefit in section 101 and the special benefit in section 102 or 103 may not be granted concurrently, except for 1 single month to allow for the diet of the dependent child to be modified.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 106.

107. A special benefit is granted to a family in the month of August of each year for the following amounts and in the following cases:

(1)  $76 if a dependent child attends an elementary level educational institution, a kindergarten class or a pre-kindergarten class; and

(2)  $123 if a dependent child attends a secondary-level educational institution, other than in a vocational program on a full-time basis.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 107.

108. A special monthly benefit of $100 is granted to an adult who takes refuge in a shelter for persons who are victims of violence.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 108; S.Q. 2021, c. 13, s. 175.

109. A special benefit is granted to compensate the following losses suffered by an independent adult or a family in a fire or natural catastrophe such as a landslide or flood:

(1)  the cost of repairing or replacing movables and essential household effects, in accordance with customary insurance practices, up to

(a)  $1,000 plus $500 per person up to a maximum of $4,000 for the family; and

(b)  $1,500 for an independent adult; and

(2)  the living expenses of the independent adult or the family during the restoration or relocation, up to 10% of the special benefit the adult or family may receive under subparagraph 1.

The special benefit is not granted if the losses result from a disaster covered by a disaster financial assistance or compensation program established under section 100 or 101 of the Civil Protection Act (chapter S-2.3).

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 109; S.Q. 2019, c. 1, s. 16.

110. A special benefit is granted for the funeral expenses of an adult or a dependent child, up to a maximum of $2,500 per deceased person. The foregoing also applies to a stillborn child or a child who was sheltered by an institution that operates a rehabilitation centre or was taken in charge by an intermediary resource, a foster home or a tutor appointed by the Court under section 70.1 of the Youth Protection Act (chapter P-34.1).

The benefit is, however, reduced by the amount of the benefits payable on the death and, in the case of an independent adult,

(1)  by the amount of the adult’s total liquid assets; and

(2)  by the value of all the adult’s property, minus the debts of the adult at the time of death.

Where the funeral expenses of a person referred to in the first paragraph are the subject, in whole or in part, of a prearranged funeral services contract or a prepurchased sepulture contract, the benefit is granted only if the value of the contract is not more than $12,000.

The special benefit is not granted in the case of an unclaimed body within the meaning of section 75 of the Funeral Operations Act (chapter A-5.02), unless release of the body to the foster family or foster home to which the person had been entrusted, to a minister of religion, to the Public Curator or to a person authorized under the first paragraph of section 77 of that Act has been authorized under that Act.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 110; O.C. 159-2013, s. 5; O.C. 1085-2017, s. 9; S.Q. 2016, c. 1, s. 147.

DIVISION III RESOURCES

§ 1 . — Income, earnings and benefits

111. The following income, earnings and benefits are excluded for the purpose of calculating the benefit:

(1)  the family allowance amount established under section 71, including the supplement for the purchase of school supplies, except for the purposes of the first paragraph of section 72;

(2)  the Canada child benefit established in accordance with section 71, except for the application of the second paragraph of section 72;

(3)  sums received by a person as an intermediate resource or a family-type resource otherwise than as comparable remuneration pursuant to a group agreement entered into under the Act respecting the representation of family-type resources and certain intermediate resources and the negotiation process for their group agreements (chapter R-24.0.2) or comparable remuneration determined by the Minister of Health and Social Services pursuant to subparagraph 2 of the third paragraph of section 303 or section 314 of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2), as the case may be;

(3.1)  sums received under the Regulation respecting financial assistance to facilitate the adoption of a child (chapter P-34.1, r. 4) and sums received by a tutor appointed by the court under section 70.1 of the Youth Protection Act (chapter P-34.1) to take in charge a child;

(4)  amounts earned by a dependent child incidentally to the child’s studies and the loans and bursaries and sums withdrawn from a registered education savings plan used by the child as a student;

(5)  support paid to an independent adult by his or her father or mother, up to the maximum amount of the parental contribution that the adult is deemed to receive under section 154 without taking into account, if applicable, the deduction under paragraph 1 of section 112;

(6)  the premium paid by an institution operating a rehabilitation centre to a recipient to facilitate attendance or the premium paid by an institution operating a residential and long-term care centre or a hospital centre to a recipient for a therapy program;

(7)  income from a succession, a trust or a gift devolved to a dependent child before the income can be used for the child’s maintenance;

(8)  income that ceases during the month in which an applicant who is not already receiving a benefit files an application for the purpose of establishing the benefit for the following month;

(9)  income earned or received for at least the previous 3 months or, in the case of a self-employed worker, income attributed for that period, insofar as the income ceases; the exclusion does not apply in respect of the family allowance or the Canada child benefit;

(10)  interest income, unless it is awarded on the realization of a right of a person referred to in section 90 of the Individual and Family Assistance Act (chapter A-13.1.1), in which case the interest is apportioned equally over each month during which the person waited for the right to be realized;

(11)  dividend income, unless it is paid as remuneration;

(12)  sums received as tax credits;

(13)  allowances received under section 3.1 of the Act respecting the Société d’habitation du Québec (chapter S-8);

(14)  sums paid by the Minister as additional expenses related to participation in an employment-assistance or a social assistance and support measure or program and sums paid by a third party and recognized as such by the Minister;

(15)  sums paid by the Minister as additional expenses related to participation in a specific program or as reimbursement for expenses related to participation in the Aim for Employment Program;

(16)  employment-assistance allowances paid by the Minister and employment-assistance allowances paid by a third party and recognized as such by the Minister, up to $222 per month per person or, if the person has no spouse but a dependent child, up to $353 per month;

(16.1)  support allowances paid by a third party and recognized as such by the Minister, up to $130 per month per person;

(17)  amounts received under a program of the Minister of Health and Social Services for home care and assistance services;

(18)  amounts received by a person responsible for a foster home under a service contract with the Minister of Public Security to facilitate the social reinsertion of the persons required to reside there;

(19)  income from room or board for a room occupied by at least a person who resides in the same dwelling unit as an independant adult or a family within the meaning of section 41;

(19.1)  income from room or board for a room whose leasing brings in the lowest income established in accordance with section 120, when 2 or more rooms are rented or offered for rent by the independent adult or the family; the exclusion does not apply if one of the rooms is rented or offered for rent pursuant to paragraph 3 or 3.1 of section 41;

(20)  income earned as an election officer in a poll or as a candidate’s mandatary if the mandatary is designated by power of attorney;

(21)  periodic payments of support received by a family, up to $350 per month per dependent child;

(22)  the part of the periodic payments of support exceeding $305 per month if the payments are made as payment for a residence in which the creditor resides and of which the debtor of support is the owner;

(23)  the part of the periodic payments made by a third party, up to a maximum of $305 per month, to allow an independent adult or a family to reside in a facility maintained by a private institution not under agreement that operates a residential and long-term care centre or a private residence for retirees or persons with a slight loss of autonomy;

(24)  the part of the hypothecary debt payments for the residence that exceeds $305 per month if the payments are made under a disability insurance contract;

(25)  the payment of a debt, other than the debt referred to in paragraph 24, paid by a third party under a disability insurance contract;

(26)  supplementary family income paid to a family composed of more than 2 dependent children under the Programme régional d’accueil et d’intégration des demandeurs d’asile;

(27)  (paragraph revoked);

(27.1)  sums received as donations, up to $100 per month;

(28)  the monetary value of property given or services rendered, including in the form of clothes, furniture, meals, food or rent reductions granted by the owner or lessee, if they are given or made without consideration and otherwise than to satisfy a judgment or an obligation arising out of a juridical act;

(29)  lifetime payments made for the benefit of an independent adult from a registered disability savings plan, up to a maximum of $950 per month for an adult benefitting from such a plan;

(30)  lifetime payments made for the benefit of a dependent child from a registered disability savings plan.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 111; O.C. 654-2007, s. 1; O.C. 456-2008, s. 7; O.C. 573-2008, s. 3; O.C. 861-2008, s. 8; O.C. 176-2011, s. 3; O.C. 159-2013, s. 6; O.C. 159-2013, s. 12; O.C. 330-2015, s. 10; O.C. 364-2015; O.C. 1085-2017, s. 10; O.C. 1408-2018, s. 6; S.Q. 2019, c. 14, s. 666; O.C. 1408-2018, s. 6; O.C. 891-2019, s. 5.

112. In the case of an adult referred to in section 57, the following resources are reduced for the purpose of calculating the benefit, up to a total amount of $100, or $50 in the case of an ineligible student’s spouse, in the following order:

(1)  the amount of the parental contribution that the adult is deemed to receive:

(2)  support paid to the adult by his or her father or mother or, if applicable, the amount by which the support exceeds the amount that is excluded therefrom pursuant to paragraph 5 of section 111; and

(3)  income from room or board from his or her father or mother.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 112.

113. Work income, income from benefits under the Employment Insurance Act (S.C. 1996, c. 23) or the Act respecting parental insurance (chapter A-29.011) and income from employment-assistance allowances granted by the Minister or recognized as such or as support allowances are calculated after deducting from the income, or in the case of self-employment, from the net income,

(1)  the amount to be deducted or withheld under section 1015 of the Taxation Act (chapter I-3) or the amount of the provisional account paid under section 1025 or 1026 of that Act for the preceding period divided by 3, and the amount to be deducted, withheld or paid under the Income Tax Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. 1 (5th Suppl.));

(2)  the employee premium provided for in the Employment Insurance Act;

(3)  the employee premium provided for in the Act respecting parental insurance;

(4)  the contribution payable by a worker under the Act respecting the Québec Pension Plan (chapter R-9) or pursuant to the worker’s participation in a mandatory pension plan; and

(5)  union dues.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 113.

114. The following amounts are excluded from work income:

(1)  $200 in the case of an independent adult or a family composed of only 1 adult; and

(2)  $300 in the case of a family composed of 2 adults.

Despite the foregoing, the exclusions provided for in this section do not apply in the case of a claim made following a false declaration concerning the income in question.

For the purposes of this section, any amount granted as a maternity, paternity, parental or adoption benefit under the Act respecting parental insurance (chapter A-29.011) or as a maternity, parental or compassionate care benefit under the Employment Insurance Act (S.C. 1996, c. 23) is work income.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 114; O.C. 861-2008, s. 9; O.C. 330-2015, s. 11; O.C. 364-2015.

114.1. The comparable remuneration received by a person as an intermediate resource or a family-type resource pursuant to a group agreement entered into under the Act respecting the representation of family-type resources and certain intermediate resources and the negotiation process for their group agreements (chapter R-24.0.2) and the comparable remuneration determined by the Minister of Health and Social Services pursuant to subparagraph 2 of the third paragraph of section 303 or section 314 of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2), as the case may be, is taken into account as income from self-employment for the purposes of the calculation of the benefit.

The premiums and amounts provided for in paragraphs 1 to 5 of section 113 are deducted from the income, but section 115 does not apply to them.

O.C. 159-2013, s. 7.

115. Net income from self-employment is determined according to the accrual accounting method in accordance with generally recognized accounting principles.

For the purpose of calculating the income, the depreciation of property used by the enterprise is excluded and the repayment of principal is not an operating expense.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 115.

116. For seasonal self-employment, the amount by which net income from such employment and other sources exceeds an amount established as follows is held to be work income for the period of inactivity:

Number of                 Number of                  Amount
 adults               dependent children 

    1                         0                        $887 
    1                         1                      $1,268
    1                         2                      $1,502
    2                         0                      $1,319
    2                         1                      $1,573
    2                         2                      $1,807                    

The amount is increased by $273 for the third dependent child and for each additional child.

In the case of the family of an ineligible student’s spouse, the amount is set at $887, which is increased by $298 for the first dependent child and by $273 for each additional child.

The amounts are also increased by $200 for any dependent child receiving a supplement for handicapped children under the Taxation Act.

In the case of an adult who is a minor sheltered with her dependent child, the amount is set at $887.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 116; O.C. 1096-2006, s. 10; O.C. 1064-2007, s. 10; O.C. 1145-2008, s. 10; O.C. 1279-2009, s. 10; O.C. 1026-2010, s. 9.

117. For the purposes of section 116,

(1)  the period of activity begins in the month in which the work begins and ends in the month in which the work ceases; and

(2)  the period of inactivity begins in the month following the month in which the work ceases and ends 12 months after the beginning of the last period of activity or as soon as the work resumes, whichever is earlier.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 117.

118. Income from the office of mayor, municipal councillor or school commissioner is apportioned in equal parts over the period in which it was earned.

The expense allowances incidental to those offices are excluded from the income to the extent that they do not exceed one-half of the remuneration paid.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 118.

119. Income from childcare at the domicile of an independent adult or a family is calculated to the extent of 40%.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 119.

120. Income from room or board is set at $125 for 1 person and at $50 for each additional person in the person’s family.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 120; O.C. 330-2015, s. 12; O.C. 364-2015.

121. Periodic payments received as support arrears are calculated to be received in the following order:

(1)  over any period after 28 February 2011;

(2)  over any period after 30 November 2005;

(3)  over any period after 30 April 1998.

That calculation of support arrears may not operate to interrupt the number of consecutive months of eligibility under a last resort financial assistance program.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 121; O.C. 159-2013, s. 8.

122. Income from an immovable is calculated in accordance with Title III of Book III of Part I of the Taxation Act (chapter I-3), before any deduction for depreciation under section 130 of that Act and before the deduction under section 130.1 of that Act.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 122.

123. The period referred to in subparagraph b of paragraph 2 of section 55 of the Individual and Family Assistance Act (chapter A-13.1.1) begins on the date on which the work ceases, and it ends,

(1)  in the case of an initial application for benefits, at the end of the fourth week following the date on which the benefit period began;

(2)  in the case of a subsequent application for benefits, at the end of the third week following the date on which the application took effect;

(3)  in the case of a decision not made by the Canada Employment Insurance Commission, at the end of the fourth week following the date on which the application for benefits was made;

(4)  in the case of a predated application for benefits, at the end of the second week following the date on which a request to that effect is accepted; and

(5)  in the case of an interruption in the regular benefit payment, at the end of the week in which the benefit payment was due.

In the case of an adult who is entitled to benefits under the Act respecting parental insurance (chapter A-29.011), the period ends at the end of the fourth week following the date on which the claim for benefits was filed.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 123.

124. Weekly income, earnings and benefits are calculated on a monthly basis by multiplying them by 4.34821 if they apply to the entire month.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 124; O.C. 159-2013, s. 9.

125. If the income that has been earned or received for at least 3 months, or in the case of a self-employed worker, the income attributed for that period ceases, the benefit is recalculated for the month on the basis of the income for the current month if the income is less than the income for the preceding month.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 125.

126. If an adult or a dependent child earns income that affects the benefit and the Minister is so informed too late to adjust the benefit for the following month, the income affects the benefit for the subsequent month.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 126.

127. Paragraph 9 of section 111 and section 125 apply insofar as the income has been declared with diligence to the Minister.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 127.

§ 2 . — Liquid assets

128. Liquid assets include everything that an independent adult or a family owns in cash or in an equivalent form and the value of assets that may be converted into cash in the short term such as

(1)  sums, whether demand deposits or term deposits, that a financial institution holds on deposit for the adult or the family or sums it holds on behalf of the adult or family if they have ready access to the sums;

(2)  securities the adult or the family owns if the securities are currently traded on the market;

(3)  debts for which the adult or family may obtain immediate repayment; and

(4)  any assets negotiable at sight.

Liquid assets include the value of a term deposit made on behalf of an independent adult or a member of a family, even if the adult or family member does not have ready access to the funds, if the deposit is made while the adult or family is a recipient under a last resort financial assistance program or to qualify the adult or the family under such a program.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 128.

129. For the purposes of section 128, liquid assets owned by an independent adult or a family include any amount excluded from income, earnings or benefits to establish a benefit.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 129.

130. Despite section 128, an adult referred to in paragraph a, b or c of section 21 of the Regulation respecting the selection of foreign nationals (chapter I-0.2, r. 4), whose certificate was issued in connection with the processing of a permanent resident application outside Canada, is deemed to own, for a period of 90 days from the day of the adult’s arrival in Canada, an amount of liquid assets that may not be less than the amount prescribed in accordance with the financial self-sufficiency factor in Schedule A to that Regulation and that is applicable on the date the contract relating to financial self-sufficiency is signed.

An adult referred to in subsection 75(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (SOR/2002-227), other than a skilled worker referred to in subsection 76(1)(b)(ii), made pursuant to subsections 12(2) and 14(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (S.C. 2001, c. 27), is deemed to own, for a period of 90 days from the day of the adult’s arrival in Canada, an amount of liquid assets that may not be less than the amount prescribed in accordance with the first paragraph and that is applicable on the visa issue date.

The liquid asset exclusions in sections 131 to 141, 163, 164 and 164.1 do not apply to the amount of liquid assets that an adult is deemed to own pursuant to this section.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 130; O.C. 1085-2017, s. 11.

See Transitional provisions (O.C. 1085-2017).

131. For the purpose of calculating a benefit, liquid assets are excluded up to the following amounts: $1,500 in the case of an independent adult, the family of an ineligible student’s spouse or an adult who is a minor sheltered with her dependent child, and $2,500 in the case of another family.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 131.

132. The amount in section 131 is increased for any minor dependent child, except in the case of the liquid assets of an adult who is a minor sheltered with her dependent child or of the family of an ineligible student’s spouse, by an amount established as follows:

 
Number of                 Number of                  Amount
 adults               dependent children 

    1                         1                       $445 
    1                         2                       $718
    2                         1                       $298
    2                         2                       $571
                                

The amount is increased by $273 for the third minor dependent child and for each additional child.

In the case of a dependent child of an ineligible student’s spouse, the amount in section 131 is increased by $298 for the first minor dependent child and by $273 for each additional child.

The amount in section 131 is also increased by $200 for any dependent child receiving a supplement for handicapped children under the Taxation Act (chapter I-3).

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 132; O.C. 1096-2006, s. 11; O.C. 1064-2007, s. 11; O.C. 1145-2008, s. 11; O.C. 1279-2009, s. 11; O.C. 1026-2010, s. 10.

133. The amount in section 131 is increased by $147 for any dependent child of full age attending a secondary-level educational institution in general education.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 133.

134. The amount in section 131 is increased for a period of 12 consecutive months by an amount equal to the amount of a retroactive adjustment of benefits paid following an administrative error, a review decision or a decision of the Administrative Tribunal of Québec, or paid pursuant to section 176.

The amount in section 131 is also increased for the same period by an amount equal to the indemnity paid by the Minister following a decision of the Administrative Tribunal of Québec pursuant to section 114.1 of the Act respecting administrative justice (chapter J-3) and by the amount paid to a debtor following a discharge granted pursuant to section 104 of the Individual and Family Assistance Act (chapter A-13.1.1).

The increase applies from the date of payment and only in respect of the adult or family concerned.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 134.

135. The amount in section 131 is increased by an amount equal to the total value of the sums paid by the Government of Canada or the Government of Québec under

(1)  the Japanese Canadian Redress Agreement between the Government of Canada and the National Association of Japanese Canadians;

(2)  a declaration made to the House of Commons on 14 December 1989 by the Minister of Health and Welfare Canada regarding persons infected by the human immunodeficiency virus following a blood transfusion or use of blood-derived products;

(3)  a humanitarian fund created by the Government of Québec for hemophiliacs and other persons infected by the human immunodeficiency virus following a blood transfusion, unless the amounts are paid as compensation for loss of income or loss of support;

(4)  the extraordinary assistance plan created by the Government of Canada for victims of thalidomide;

(5)  a Government of Canada program respecting ex gratia payments to persons depatterned at the Allan Memorial Institute between 1950 and 1965;

(6)  a financial assistance program created by the Government of Québec for persons infected by the hepatitis C virus following a blood transfusion or use of blood products in Québec before 1 January 1986 or between 2 July 1990 and 28 September 1998;

(7)  the 1986-1990 Hepatitis C Settlement Agreement dated 15 June 1999, unless the sums are paid to compensate loss of income or loss of support pursuant to paragraphs 4.02 and 6.01 of the compensation plans referred to in the Agreement;

(8)  the Programme national de réconciliation avec les orphelins et orphelines de Duplessis created by the Government of Québec;

(9)  judgments rendered by the Superior Court on 6 July 2001 confirming the agreements between the Société québécoise des infrastructures and the Attorney General of Québec following class actions filed by persons who suffered damage because of the Kénogami reservoir flood in July 1996;

(10)  the financial relocation assistance program created by the Government of Québec for the residents of Aylmer Sound;

(11)  the National Reconciliation Program for Duplessis Orphans who were Residents of Certain Institutions;

(12)  the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement concluded between the Attorney General of Canada and the other parties concerned, effective as of 19 September 2007; or

(13)  the Pre-1986/Post-1990 Hepatitis C Settlement Agreement concluded between the Attorney General of Canada and the other parties concerned.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 135; O.C. 210-2007, s. 1; O.C. 861-2008, s. 10.

136. The amount in section 131 is increased by an amount equal to the total value of the sums paid to a person pursuant to

(1)  the Supreme Court of Canada decision in Public Curator of Québec v. Syndicat national des employés de l’hôpital St-Ferdinand, delivered on 3 October 1996;

(2)  an agreement following a breast implant class action;

(3)  recommendations in the report drawn up following the mandate given by the Government of Québec under Recommandations du Curateur public des mesures appropriées pour évaluer les pertes fiannciers causées aux personne représentés et les réparer (O.C. 931-98, 98-07-08), regarding damage suffered by certain persons represented by the Public Curator;

(4)  the Court of Appeal of Québec judgment in Centre d’accueil Pavillon Saint-Théophile Inc. v. the Commission des droits de la personne, rendered on 21 September 1998;

(5)  the Nova Scotia Memorandum of Understanding regarding Compensation for Survivors of Institutional Abuse regarding damage suffered by certain residents of provincially-operated institutions;

(6)  the Superior Court judgment rendered on 14 September 2001 confirming the agreement with the Canadian Red Cross Society following the class action brought by persons who received a blood transfusion contaminated by the hepatitis C virus and who were infected by the virus before 1 January 1986 or between 1 July 1990 and 28 September 1998;

(7)  the Superior Court judgment rendered on 25 April 2003 approving the agreement with Centerpulse Orthopedics Inc. and Centerpulse Ltd following the class action brought by persons who received a defective hip prosthesis; or

(8)  the agreement concluded between the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse and the Douglas Mental Health University Institute, on 21 June 2007, in respect of the former residents of Pavillon des Pins.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 136; O.C. 861-2008, s. 11.

137. The increases provided for in sections 135 and 136 apply from the date of the payment of the amounts and only in respect of the person entitled thereto.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 137.

138. For the purpose of calculating a benefit, the following liquid assets are excluded:

(1)  liquid assets that a dependent child accumulates through personal work;

(2)  liquid assets owned by a dependent child if they are managed by a tutor, a liquidator of a succession or a trustee before the rendering of accounts and were placed in a term deposit that does not allow ready access to the funds;

(3)  sums from a registered education savings plan and sums from loans and bursaries that an adult or dependent child receives as a student if used for the purpose for which they were obtained within 6 months of their withdrawal or receipt, as the case may be;

(4)  the cash surrender value of a life insurance policy;

(5)  sums paid by the Minister as additional expenses related to participation in an employment-assistance or social assistance and support measure or program and sums paid by a third party and recognized as such by the Minister;

(6)  sums paid by the Minister as additional expenses related to participation in a specific program or as reimbursement for expenses related to participation in the Aim for Employment Program;

(7)  sums from a succession up to the amount of the debts and charges for which the adult or dependent child is liable;

(8)  sums withdrawn from a registered retirement savings plan to be used under the Home Buyers’ Plan provided the sums are immediately deposited in a separate account in a financial institution and used for the purposes of the plan before 1 October of the year following the withdrawal;

(9)  sums paid by an institution or an organization to a person discharged from a psychiatric hospital centre to allow the person to purchase certain items of everyday use;

(10)  sums from income, earnings or benefits for the month in which the sums are taken into account to reduce the benefit;

(11)  for the month in which they are received, sums paid to compensate for physical or mental impairment;

(12)  for the month in which they are received, sums received as income tax refunds;

(13)  sums accumulated in a registered disability savings plan, including sums paid into the plan in the form of Canada Disability Savings Bonds and Canada Disability Savings Grants, for the benefit of an independent adult or a family member who may dispose of them in the short term, according to the terms and conditions applicable to that plan;

(14)  sums paid under the Réussir l’intégration program established by the Minister of Immigration and Cultural Communities;

(15)  financial assistance or an indemnity received for extra temporary housing, food and clothing costs under a financial assistance or compensation program established under the Civil Protection Act (chapter S-2.3); and

(16)  for the month of its receipt, financial assistance granted under a program established by the Commission des partenaires du marché du travail to favour enrolment in a training program leading to a profession deemed a priority by the Commission.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 138; O.C. 456-2008, s. 8; O.C. 861-2008, s. 12; O.C. 159-2013, s. 10; O.C. 330-2015, s. 13; O.C. 1085-2017, s. 12; S.Q. 2019, c. 1, s. 17.

139. For the purpose of calculating a benefit, the amount of a loan obtained for the consolidation of debts or the purchase of property or goods described in paragraphs 1 to 3, 7 and 8 of section 146 is excluded if

(1)  the amount is immediately deposited in a separate account in a financial institution; and

(2)  the amount is used within 30 days of receipt for the purpose for which it was obtained.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 139.

140. Advance payments as a work premium made under the Taxation Act (chapter I-3), advance payments related to the family allowance paid under section 1029.8.61.28 of that Act and advance payments paid as Canada child benefits under the Income Tax Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. 1 (5th Suppl.)) are excluded for the purposes of calculating the benefit for the month of their receipt.

If they are paid quarterly, advance payments related to the Working Income Tax Benefit and the supplement for handicapped persons paid by the Canada Revenue Agency as well as the amounts related to the family allowance granted under section 1029.8.61.28 of the Taxation Act are wholly excluded for the month in which they are paid and are excluded in the proportion of two-thirds for the following month and one-third for the last month.

Payment of arrears in respect of the amounts referred to in this section and those granted by the federal government as Canada child tax benefits, national child benefit supplements and universal child care benefits are excluded for a 12-month period from the date of their payment.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 140; O.C. 456-2008, s. 9; O.C. 1085-2017, s. 13; S.Q. 2019, c. 14, s. 666.

141. The following liquid assets are excluded up to a total value of $60,000:

(1)  the value of the sums or pension credits referred to in paragraph 4 of section 146 which, under the pension plan or instrument concerned or under the law, may be returned to the participant;

(2)  the principal of a sum or pension credit referred to in paragraph 1, if it is used within 30 days after it is received for the purposes of a contribution to another pension plan or retirement savings instrument;

(3)  the principal of a grant or loan to repair a residence if it is used within 6 months after it is received for the purpose for which it was obtained;

(4)  the principal of a grant or loan to start an enterprise or create self-employment if it is used within 6 months after it is received for the purpose for which it was obtained;

(5)  sums accumulated in an individual savings plan or an institutional savings plan recognized by the Minister, up to a total amount of $5,000 per adult; and

(6)  the value of the sums accumulated in a registered education savings plan.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 141.

142. The exclusion in paragraph 5 of section 141 applies if the sums accumulated are to allow an adult or a member of the adult’s family

(1)  to undergo training;

(2)  to purchase tools or equipment necessary for gainful employment;

(3)  to create self-employment or start an enterprise;

(4)  to purchase or repair a residence; or

(5)  to purchase an automobile.

In the case of an individual savings plan, the savings must begin during a month in which the adult is a recipient under a last resort financial assistance program or is eligible to receive dental and pharmaceutical services pursuant to section 48. In addition, the adult must inform the Minister in writing of the adult’s savings plan before depositing the sums or at the latest by the last day of the month following the date of the deposit.

If the benefit paid for the month during which savings begin under an individual savings plan is later claimed in its entirety by the Minister, the exclusion applies, unless the claim is made following a false declaration, up to the date on which a formal repayment notice was sent by the Minister pursuant to section 97 of the Act.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 142; O.C. 456-2008, s. 10.

143. The exclusions in paragraphs 2 to 5 of section 141 apply only if the amounts referred to are immediately deposited in a separate account in a financial institution. In the case described in paragraph 5, the financial institution must have an establishment in Canada.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 143.

144. Every part of the capital referred to in paragraphs 3 and 8 of section 138, section 139 and paragraphs 2 to 5 of section 141 constitutes liquid assets for the entire month in which it is used contrary to those provisions or is not deposited as required by the applicable provisions.

The first paragraph does not apply if, during the same month, the sums in paragraph 3 of section 138 and paragraphs 2 and 5 of section 141 are transferred to a plan referred to in paragraphs 1, 5 and 6 of that latter section on the conditions set out therein.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 144.

§ 3 . — Property

145. The value of property is equal to the property’s market value.

The net value of property is equal to its value less the value of any real rights encumbering the property;

The value of a residence is the value of the house and the land on which it is built.

The value of a farm is the value of the land, buildings, livestock and implements.

Despite the first paragraph, the value of an immovable entered on the assessment roll of a municipality is equal to the value indicated on the roll, multiplied by the comparative factor of the roll, in accordance with the Act respecting municipal taxation (chapter F-2.1).

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 145.

146. The following property is excluded for the purpose of calculating a benefit:

(1)  the total value of movables and household effects;

(2)  the value of an automobile, up to $10,000;

(3)  books, instruments and tools necessary for gainful employment or for a trade or craft;

(4)  the value of pension credits accumulated through membership in a pension plan other than the plan established by the Act respecting the Québec Pension Plan (chapter R-9) or in a similar plan within the meaning of that Act, and the sums accrued with interest as a result of the recipient’s participation in another retirement savings instrument that, under the plan, the savings instrument or the law, cannot be returned to the recipient before retirement age;

(5)  property owned by a dependent child if it is managed by a tutor, a liquidator of a succession or a trustee before the rendering of accounts;

(6)  property acquired by a dependent child through personal work;

(7)  equipment adapted to the needs of an adult or a dependent child who has functional limitations, including a retrofit vehicle not used for commercial purposes;

(8)  the value of a prearranged funeral services contract and a prepurchased sepulture contract if those contracts are in force;

(9)  sums accumulated in a registered disability savings plan, including sums paid into the plan in the form of Canada Disability Savings Bonds and Canada Disability Savings Grants, for the benefit of an independent adult or a family member who may not dispose of them in the short term, according to the terms and conditions applicable to that plan;

(10)  sums received as compensation for essential movable property under a financial assistance or compensation program established under the Civil Protection Act (chapter S-2.3), if the sums are used within 90 days of their receipt; and

(11)  sums received otherwise than as extra temporary housing, food and clothing costs or as compensation for essential movable property under a program referred to in paragraph 10, if the sums are used within 2 years of their receipt for the purposes for which they were received.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 146; O.C. 861-2008, s. 13; O.C. 330-2015, s. 14; O.C. 364-2015; I.N. 2017-01-01; S.Q. 2019, c. 1, s. 18.

147. The value of all the following property is excluded for the purpose of calculating a benefit, up to a total net value of $164,458:

(1)  the value of a residence or a working farm;

(2)  the value of a residence or farm belonging to an independent adult who no longer resides in the residence or operates the farm since being sheltered or taken in charge by an intermediate resource or a foster home, for a period of not more than 2 years after the sheltering or taking in charge;

(3)  the value of a residence belonging to an independent adult or a family who no longer resides in the residence for health reasons, for a period of not more than 2 years after the move;

(4)  the value of the residence belonging to an adult who no longer resides in the residence because of a separation, for a period of not more than 2 years after the date on which family mediation or a judicial proceeding has been commenced to the date on which the court decides the right of ownership or, where applicable, the date on which the court confirms or approves an agreement between the parties;

(5)  the value of property used for self-employment or in the operation of a farm;

(6)  the principal from an indemnity paid as compensation for immovable property following expropriation, a fire or other disaster, an act of war, an attack or an indictable offence if used within 2 years of receipt to repair or replace the immovable property or in the operation of an enterprise;

(7)  the principal from an indemnity paid as compensation for movable property following a fire or other disaster, an act of war, an attack or an indictable offence, if used within 90 days of receipt; and

(8)  the principal from the sale of a residence if used to purchase a new residence or have a residence built within 6 months of the sale.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 147; O.C. 330-2015, s. 15; O.C. 364-2015; O.C. 1085-2017, s. 14.

148. The exclusions in paragraphs 10 and 11 of section 146 and in paragraphs 6 to 8 of section 147 apply only if the amounts are immediately deposited in a separate account in a financial institution or, in the case referred to in paragraph 6, are invested by a trustee as authorized under the Civil Code.

Every part of the principal referred to in those paragraphs constitutes liquid assets for the entire month in which it is used contrary to those provisions or for the entire month in which it is not deposited or invested in accordance with the first paragraph.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 148; O.C. 330-2015, s. 16.

149. Property acquired using sums referred to in sections 135 and 136 are excluded for the purpose of calculating a benefit.

The exclusion applies from the date the property is acquired and only in respect of the person entitled to it.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 149.

150. The total property value consists of the value of all property not excluded for the purpose of calculating a benefit.

If the value of property is excluded for the purposes of only part of the calculation, the remainder of the value is included in the total value.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 150.

151. For the purpose of calculating a benefit, the percentage applicable to the total property value is 2%. Except for the property referred to in section 147, that percentage applies to the total property value exceeding $1,500 in the case of an independent adult or an adult who is a minor sheltered with her dependent child, or $2,500 in the case of another family.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 151.

§ 4 . — Parental contribution

152. The parental contribution that an adult is deemed to receive under subparagraph f of paragraph 2 of section 55 of the Individual and Family Assistance Act (chapter A-13.1.1) is determined for a 12-month reference period, from 1 July of each year, taking into account the total incomes of the father and mother for the taxation year preceding the reference period or their total incomes for the current taxation year if the incomes are at least 10% lower.

The incomes of the adult’s father and mother are determined with reference to their total income appearing in their income tax return filed in accordance with the Taxation Act (chapter I-3) and confirmed by the assessment notice of the Minister of Revenue, and their total gross income declared in an income tax return filed in another province or territory or in another country.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 152.

153. The net incomes of the father and mother are determined with reference to the incomes obtained pursuant to section 152 from which the following amounts are deducted:

(1)  if the parents cohabit: $32,233 for both;

(2)  if the parents do not cohabit: $26,310 for each parent;

(3)  if one parent is untraceable or deceased: $26,310 for the other parent.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 153; O.C. 456-2008, s. 11; O.C. 1408-2018, s. 7.

154. The parental contribution is determined by dividing by 12 the amount of incomes obtained pursuant to section 153. The result obtained is, where applicable, divided by the number of adults deemed to receive a parental contribution from either parent.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 154; O.C. 1408-2018, s. 8.

CHAPTER IV SOCIAL SOLIDARITY PROGRAM

155. Except for the provisions in Division I, subdivision 1 of Division II of Chapter III of Title IV, section 67.3, and subdivision 4 of Division III of Chapter III of Title IV, and unless otherwise provided in this Chapter, the provisions of this Regulation relating to the Social Assistance Program apply to the Social Solidarity Program, with the necessary modifications.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 155; O.C. 1353-2013, s. 3.

156. The social solidarity allowance granted to an independent adult or a family composed of only 1 adult is $1,008.

The social solidarity allowance for a family composed of 2 adults is $1,507.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 156; O.C. 1096-2006, s. 12; O.C. 1064-2007, s. 12; O.C. 1145-2008, s. 12; O.C. 1279-2009, s. 12; O.C. 1026-2010, s. 11.

157. The social solidarity allowance for an ineligible student’s spouse is $511.

The social solidarity allowance for an independent adult who is sheltered, an independent adult referred to in the second paragraph of section 60, an adult who is a minor sheltered with her dependent child and an independent adult required to reside in an institution corresponds to the amount of the personal expense allowance referred to in the second paragraph of section 512 of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2). The amount is published in Part 1 of the Gazette officielle du Québec.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 157; O.C. 1096-2006, s. 13; O.C. 1064-2007, s. 13; O.C. 1145-2008, s. 13; O.C. 1279-2009, s. 13; O.C. 1026-2010, s. 12; O.C. 330-2015, s. 17; O.C. 1408-2018, s. 9.

157.1. Despite section 67.4, the social solidarity allowance granted to an independent adult, a family composed of only 1 adult or the spouse of an ineligible student is adjusted by $103. The allowance granted to a family composed of 2 adults is adjusted by $118.

Despite the first paragraph, the allowance for social solidarity is adjusted by $290 in the case of an independent adult and by $190 in the case of a family composed of 2 adults, where the independent adult or an adult member of the family has been a recipient of the Social Solidarity Program for 66 months in the preceding 72 months.

For the purpose of calculating that period, the following periods are also taken into consideration:

(1)  the months during which the parent of a person received, in respect of that person, the supplement for handicapped children requiring exceptional care pursuant to the Taxation Act (chapter I-3);

(2)  the months during which a person received a disability pension or an additional amount for disability after retirement under the Act respecting the Québec Pension Plan (chapter R-9), except the months in which the recipient who receives it is no longer eligible under the Social Solidarity Program, where the number of those months totals more than 6 months, consecutive or not.

For calculating the months required for eligibility to the adjustment provided for in the second paragraph, the months during which a person receives as an adult dental and pharmaceutical services pursuant to section 48 are taken into consideration.

Despite the foregoing, the adjustments provided for in this section do not apply in the case of the persons referred to in the second paragraph of section 157.

O.C. 7-2018, s. 2; O.C. 1408-2018, s. 10; O.C. 1408-2018, s. 17; O.C. 1350-2020, s. 5; O.C. 1312-2021, s. 9.

See Transitional provisions (O.C. 1312-2021).

158. Despite the second paragraph of section 74, the social solidarity allowance for a family composed of 2 adults and at least 1 dependent child of full age attending a secondary-level educational institution in a vocational program or a postsecondary educational institution is adjusted by $130 for the first child and by $102 for the second child.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 158.

159. Prior authorization to obtain a special benefit is not required unless the Minister has set particular eligibility requirements pursuant to section 58 of the Individual and Family Assistance Act (chapter A-13.1.1) or in the case of special benefits for the purchase, replacement or relining of a dental prosthesis, special benefits to cover the cost of glasses or lenses or the cost of moving for health reasons.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 159.

160. The second paragraph of section 90 relating to the deduction of an amount for the cost of transportation of an adult by taxi does not apply to an independent adult or a family eligible under the program.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 160.

161. The consecutive period of eligibility under a last resort financial assistance program required for special benefits to cover the cost of glasses or lenses or the cost of moving for health reasons does not apply to an independent adult or a family eligible under the program.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 161.

162. (Revoked).

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 162; O.C. 861-2008, s. 14; O.C. 330-2015, s. 18; O.C. 364-2015; O.C. 1408-2018, s. 11.

163. For the purposes of the provisions relating to liquid assets, the amounts in section 131 are replaced by an amount of $2,500 in the case of an independent adult, the family of an ineligible student’s spouse or an adult who is a minor sheltered with her dependent child, and an amount of $5,000 in the case of another family.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 163.

164. Despite sections 141 and 147, the following liquid assets and property values are excluded, up to a total amount of $235,401:

(1)  liquid assets consisting of the principal or sums referred to in section 141;

(2)  the property listed in section 147;

(3)  any other immovable property;

(4)  the portion of the property value and liquid assets received by the independent adult or a member of the family from a succession that exceeds the debts and charges for which the independent adult or member of the family is liable; and

(5)  the proceeds from a life insurance policy received by an independent adult or a member of the family following the death of a person as well as a death benefit, if the proceeds or benefit are paid in a lump sum.

The exclusions in subparagraphs 4 and 5 of the first paragraph apply if the property or liquid assets are received during a month in which the independent adult or the family is a recipient under a last resort financial assistance program, otherwise than pursuant to section 49 of the Act, or is eligible to receive the special benefit for dental and pharmaceutical services pursuant to section 48 of this Regulation. Despite the foregoing, if the benefit paid for that month is later claimed in its entirety by the Minister, the exclusions apply, unless the claim is made following a false declaration, up to the date on which a formal repayment notice was sent by the Minister pursuant to section 97 of the Act.

In addition, the exclusion in subparagraph 4 of the first paragraph continues to apply the first time the property is converted into liquid assets or the liquid assets are converted into property, and the exclusion in subparagraph 5 of the first paragraph continues to apply the first time the proceeds or benefit are converted into property.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 164; O.C. 456-2008, s. 12; O.C. 330-2015, s. 19; O.C. 1085-2017, s. 15.

164.1. Subject to the total amount provided for in the first paragraph of section 164, income from assets referred to in subparagraph 4 of the first paragraph of that section, excluding an immovable, is deemed to be liquid assets referred to in that subparagraph, up to $950 per month.

The exclusion in the first paragraph applies only if, during the month in which the income is received for the first time, the independent adult or the family is a recipient under a last resort financial assistance program, otherwise than pursuant to section 49 of the Act, or is eligible to receive the special benefit for dental and pharmaceutical services pursuant to section 48 of this Regulation. Despite the foregoing, if the benefit paid for that month is later claimed in its entirety by the Minister, the exclusion applies, unless the claim is made following a false declaration, up to the date on which a formal repayment notice was sent by the Minister, pursuant to section 97 of the Act.

In addition, the exclusion in the first paragraph continues to apply the first time the income is converted into property.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 16.

See Transitional provisions (O.C. 1085-2017).

165. The percentage applicable to the total value of the property and liquid assets referred to in section 164 that exceeds the total value calculated pursuant to section 164 is 2% and the exclusions in sections 151 and 163 do not apply.

Despite the first paragraph, where there is an excess total value, the income referred to in the first paragraph of section 164.1 is deemed to be part of it and is then accounted for as income.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 165; O.C. 1085-2017, s. 17.

See Transitional provisions (O.C. 1085-2017).

CHAPTER V ESTABLISHMENT AND PAYMENT OF BENEFITS

DIVISION I MONTH OF APPLICATION

166. For the month of application, the basic benefit, social solidarity allowance, adjustments provided for in sections 67.4 and 157.1, adjustments for dependent children and temporarily limited capacity allowances are established in the proportion that the number of days remaining in the month on the date of application is of the number of days in that month.

The income received or to be received during the month of application, without reference to the period for which it is payable, is considered for the purpose of calculating the benefit for that month. In the case of benefits to be received under the Employment Insurance Act (S.C. 1996, c. 23) or the Act respecting parental insurance (chapter A-29.011), subparagraph b of paragraph 2 of section 55 of the Individual and Family Assistance Act (chapter A-13.1.1) also applies for the month of application.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 166; O.C. 7-2018, s. 3.

166.1. For the month of application, the basic benefit may be adjusted in accordance with section 67.3 if the conditions set out therein are met and the application is made during the period of 6 consecutive months provided for in that section or during the month following that period.

O.C. 1353-2013, s. 4.

167. In accordance with subparagraph a of paragraph 2 of section 55 of the Individual and Family Assistance Act (chapter A-13.1.1), income earned or received during the month of application is taken into consideration to establish the benefit for the following month, regardless of whether the income is included in establishing the assistance granted for the month of application, unless the income is otherwise excluded under this Regulation.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 167.

168. Despite the second paragraph of section 166, amounts received as a family allowance under the Taxation Act (chapter I-3) and amounts received as the Canada child benefit under the Income Tax Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. 1 (5th Suppl.)) are considered only if they are payable for that month.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 168; O.C. 1085-2017, s. 18; S.Q. 2019, c. 14, s. 666.

169. The first paragraph of section 166 does not apply if the application is made during a period in which the independent adult or family is eligible to receive dental and pharmaceutical services pursuant to section 48, participates in a specific program or receives a benefit under the Aim for Employment Program, or during the month following that period. Financial assistance granted under those programs, the employment-assistance allowances paid or recognized as such by the Minister and, if applicable, work income are considered only if they are received and payable for the month of application.

The same applies to an adult who is sheltered and an adult who is a minor sheltered with her dependent child if the application is made during the 6 months following the date on which a benefit has ceased to be granted because of excess liquid assets.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 169; O.C. 1085-2017, s. 19.

170. Liquid assets owned on the date of application are considered for the purpose of calculating the benefit for that month.

The amount on the date of application of outstanding cheques and preauthorized withdrawals to pay rent, heating, electricity or any other form of energy is subtracted from the liquid assets if such amounts are cashable in the month of application and were deposited in a financial institution.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 170.

171. The liquid asset exclusions in sections 134 to 140 apply for the month of application.

If the application is made by a family that has at least 1 minor dependent child, except in the case of an adult who is a minor sheltered with her dependent child, the amounts in section 132 are also excluded.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 171.

172. Under the Social Assistance Program, the liquid asset exclusion in section 141 also applies for the month of application. Despite the foregoing, paragraph 5 of section 141 applies if the conditions in sections 142 and 143 are met and, with respect to an individual savings plan, if the independent adult or the family was a recipient under a last resort financial assistance program, received a benefit under the Aim for Employment Program or was eligible to receive dental and pharmaceutical services pursuant to section 48 during the 5 years preceding the date of application.

In addition, the liquid asset exclusions in sections 131 and 133 also apply in the case of

(1)  an independent adult or a family eligible to receive dental and pharmaceutical services pursuant to section 48, and the application is made during that period or during the month following that period;

(2)  an adult who participates in a specific program or receives a benefit under the Aim for Employment Program, and the application is made during that period or during the month following that period; and

(3)  an independent adult who is sheltered or an adult who is a minor sheltered with her dependent child, and the application is made during the 6 months following the date on which a benefit ceased to be paid because of excess liquid assets.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 172; O.C. 1085-2017, s. 20.

173. Under the Social Solidarity Program, the exclusions in sections 133, 163, 164 and 164.1 also apply for the month of application.

Despite the foregoing, for the purposes of subparagraph 1 of the first paragraph of section 164, if the independent adult or the family owns sums referred to in paragraph 5 of section 141, the conditions in the first paragraph of section 172 must be met.

In addition, subparagraphs 4 and 5 of the first paragraph of section 164 and the first paragraph of section 164.1 apply only if the independent adult or the family was a recipient under a last resort financial assistance program or was eligible to receive dental and pharmaceutical services pursuant to section 48 during the 6 months preceding the date of application.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 173; O.C. 456-2008, s. 13; O.C. 1085-2017, s. 21.

See Transitional provisions (O.C. 1085-2017).

DIVISION II MISCELLANEOUS

174. For the purposes of section 64 of the Individual and Family Assistance Act (chapter A-13.1.1), a creditor of support must inform the Minister of any agreement or judicial proceeding by sending a copy thereof within the specified time to the Service des pensions alimentaires of the Ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale.

The address of the Service des pensions alimentaires is published on the department’s website.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 174; O.C. 176-2011, s. 4.

175. In the case of a contravention of section 65 of the Act, the Minister reduces, refuses or ceases to pay a benefit by including in the benefit calculation the value of the rights, property or liquid assets on the date of the waiving of rights or the disposal or squandering of property or liquid assets, after subtracting the adequate consideration received and, for each month elapsed since that date and for not more than 2 years, an amount of $1,500.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 175.

176. If a benefit application has been refused or the benefit granted to an independent adult or a family has been reduced or has ceased to be paid because of sums granted under another Act and the Minister or body that paid the sums claims them, in whole or in part, the amount of the benefit granted or that could have been granted for the months covered by the claim is recalculated, on a request made within 30 days after receipt of the claim, if the sums claimed were paid

(1)  because of an administrative error of the Minister or body concerned; or

(2)  as a family allowance or a Canada child benefit; the recalculation is made only for the 6 months preceding the date of the claim.

For the purposes of this section and when required, new statements relating to the months covered by the claim must be filed.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 176; O.C. 1085-2017, s. 22; S.Q. 2019, c. 14, s. 666.

177. Benefits are paid on the first day of the month, except in exceptional circumstances, and continuous special benefits are paid at the same time. Other special benefits are, however, paid as and when applications are made.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 177.

DIVISION III BENEFIT INCREASE

O.C. 176-2011, s. 5.

177.1. The amounts referred to in the third paragraph are increased, on 1 January of each year, based on the adjustment factor established in the first, second and third paragraphs of section 750.2 of the Income Tax Act (chapter I-3) for that year.

If an amount that results from the adjustment provided for in the first paragraph is not a multiple of $1, it must be rounded to the nearest multiple of $1 or, if it is equidistant from two such multiples, to the higher thereof.

The following amounts are subject to the increase referred to in the first paragraph:

(1)  the amount referred to in the second paragraph of section 52;

(2)  the second and third amounts referred to in the third paragraph of section 52;

(3)  the amount referred to in the fourth paragraph of section 52;

(4)  the amount referred to in the second paragraph of section 53;

(5)  the second and third amounts referred to in the third paragraph of section 53;

(6)  the amount referred to in the fourth paragraph of section 53;

(7)  the amounts referred to in section 56;

(8)  the first amount referred to in section 59;

(9)  the amounts referred to in section 64 and in the second paragraph of section 75;

(10)  the amount referred to in the second paragraph of section 116;

(11)  the second and third amounts referred to in the third paragraph of section 116;

(12)  the amount referred to in the fourth paragraph of section 116; and

(13)  the amounts referred to in sections 132 and 156 and in the first paragraph of section 157.

O.C. 176-2011, s. 5; O.C. 1408-2018, s. 12.

177.2. The second, third, fifth and sixth amounts referred to in the first paragraph of section 53 are of $5,000 each, to which the first, second, third and fourth amounts referred to in the first paragraph of section 132 are added respectively, as adjusted on 1 January of each year.

O.C. 176-2011, s. 5.

177.3. The amounts referred to in the first paragraph of section 57 are increased by the amount necessary to maintain a difference of $100 with the amounts of the basic benefits referred to in section 56, as adjusted on 1 January of each year.

O.C. 176-2011, s. 5.

177.4. The second amount referred to in section 59 is increased by the amount necessary to maintain a difference of $50 with the first amount referred to in section 59, as adjusted on 1 January of each year.

O.C. 176-2011, s. 5.

177.5. The Minister is to inform the public of the adjustment and increase under this Division through Part 1 of the Gazette officielle du Québec and by such other means as the Minister considers appropriate.

O.C. 176-2011, s. 5.

DIVISION IV VARIOUS INCREASES

O.C. 330-2015, s. 20; O.C. 364-2015.

177.6. The amounts provided for in section 147 and 164 are increased on 1 January of each year based on the percentage variation, between the 2 preceding years, of the standardized medium taxable value of single-family dwellings for the whole of Québec, as published by the Institut de la statistique du Québec on 1 September of the preceding year.

Where the percentage variation provided for in the first paragraph has more than 2 decimals, only the first 2 are retained and the second is increased by one unit if the third is greater than 4.

Where the amount resulting from the increase provided for in the first paragraph is not a multiple of $1, it must be rounded to the nearest multiple of $1 or, if it is equidistant from 2 such multiples, to the higher thereof.

O.C. 330-2015, s. 20; O.C. 364-2015; O.C. 1085-2017, s. 23.

177.7. The Minister is to inform the public of the increase under section 177.6 in Part 1 of the Gazette officielle du Québec and by such other means as the Minister considers appropriate.

O.C. 330-2015, s. 20; O.C. 364-2015.

TITLE IV.1 AIM FOR EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

CHAPTER I OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.8. Every person who would be entitled to receive, as an independent adult or adult member of a family, a social assistance benefit for the month following the month of the person’s application for eligibility is required to participate in the Aim for Employment Program, subject to the provisions of this Chapter.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.9. A person may not participate in the program if the person

(1)  has already participated in it and participation was completed or terminated; or

(2)  has already received, as an adult, financial assistance under a last resort financial assistance program following a prior application for eligibility.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.10. A person does not participate in the program if, on the date of application, as the case may be,

(1)  the person or the person’s spouse is eligible for the Social Solidarity Program;

(2)  the person is an adult who is sheltered within the meaning of section 4;

(3)  the person is an adult referred to in subparagraph 3.1 of the second paragraph of section 19;

(4)  the person is in one of the situations described in section 47;

(5)  the person produces a medical report establishing that the person has been in the situation provided for in subparagraph 1 of the first paragraph of section 53 of the Individual and Family Assistance Act (chapter A-13.1.1) for a period of at least 12 consecutive months.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.11. A person who would be required to participate in the program may nonetheless choose not to participate if the person proves that he or she is, on the date of the application, in a situation, other than the situation provided for in subparagraph 1 of the first paragraph of section 53 of the Act, that would have entitled the person to a temporarily limited capacity allowance under the Social Assistance Program.

The same applies to a person who, on the date of his or her application, meets the following conditions:

(1)  the person is a member of a family composed of 2 adults; and

(2)  the person has a dependent child under one year of age.

Where a family referred to in subparagraph 1 of the second paragraph is composed of 2 adults who would be required to participate in the program, only one of them may choose not to participate.

The decision not to participate is irrevocable.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

CHAPTER II LABOUR MARKET ENTRY PLAN

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.12. The labour market entry plan of a participant takes effect on the first day of the second month following the month in which the participant’s application for financial assistance was deemed admissible. However, the Minister and the participant may agree on an earlier effective date.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.13. A participant who, at the beginning or during participation, proves that he or she is in the situation provided for in subparagraph 1 of the first paragraph of section 53 of the Act for a period shorter than 12 months is exempt from the obligation to fulfil the commitments set out in the labour market entry plan during that time.

The obligation to fulfil the commitments set out in the plan applies again from the week following the week in which the participant ceases to be in the situation referred to in the first paragraph.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.14. Where a labour market entry plan provides for the obligation to accept an offered job, the participant may nonetheless refuse a job in any of the following circumstances:

(1)  in the course of the job offered, the participant would be subject to conditions of employment that

(a)  go against public order or a provision of the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms (chapter C-12) or of the Act respecting labour standards (chapter N-1.1);

(b)  are likely to endanger the participant’s health, safety or physical or psychological integrity, in particular because the employment involves tasks that are too difficult to perform given the participant’s state of health, physical capacities or handicap;

(c)  require the performance of a volume of tasks or a number of working hours clearly greater than the foreseeable expectations for such a job;

(2)  the job offered is vacant following a strike or lock-out;

(3)  the proposed working schedule is incompatible with the participant’s family obligations, in particular because the participant must look after his or her spouse, a child or a close relative;

(4)  the job offered would entail expenses for the participant, in particular day care or travelling expenses, that are higher than the proposed remuneration, less the amounts provided for in paragraphs 1 to 5 of section 113;

(5)  access to the work environment is difficult for the participant, in particular because of its remoteness or the lack of adequate means of transportation to reach it;

(6)  the participant must accompany his or her spouse or a dependent child to another place of residence;

(7)  the participant obtains a reasonable assurance that another job will be offered in the near future;

(8)  the participant does not have the skills required to hold the job offered.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.15. Where a labour market entry plan provides for the obligation to keep an employment relationship, leaving a job is not failure to fulfil that obligation in any of the circumstances provided for in section 177.14.

In addition, the participant does not fail that obligation if the participant leaves a job in any of the following circumstances:

(1)  the participant was victim of discrimination or harassment based on one of the reasons provided for in the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms (chapter C-12) or of psychological harassment within the meaning of section 81.18 of the Act respecting labour standards (chapter N-1.1);

(2)  the participant was the subject of bullying, a discriminatory measure or reprisals or a dismissal threat because the participant belongs to an association of workers or has exercised a right recognized by law;

(3)  the participant suffered undue pressure from the employer to quit his or her job;

(4)  the participant has had conflictual relations with a superior, for a reason not essentially imputable to the participant;

(5)  the participant has seen an important change in the remuneration conditions or an undue delay in being paid for work done.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.16. A participant who is fired does not contravene the obligation to maintain his or her employment relationship unless the firing is attributable to the participant’s fault.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

CHAPTER III INTERRUPTION, EXTENSION AND END OF PARTICIPATION

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.17. Participation is interrupted for any month in which the participant or the participant’s family is no longer entitled to receive an Aim for Employment benefit by reason of the participant’s resources, pursuant to the calculation method provided for in Chapter IV. Participation resumes from the month in which the participant again meets the condition provided for in section 177.8.

Despite the first paragraph, participation is not interrupted where the participant or the participant’s family would have been entitled to receive an Aim for Employment benefit had it not been for the amount received as employment-assistance allowance or in the course of an employment activity referred to in section 11 of the Act.

The participant referred to in the first paragraph is deemed, where the loss of the right to receive an Aim for Employment benefit results from work income received by the participant or the participant’s spouse or the sums received by the participant or by the participant’s spouse as benefits to compensate for the loss of employment income that are paid by the Government of Canada under a program established following the declaration of a public health emergency or a Canada Recovery Benefit related to the COVID-19 pandemic, to be an adult ineligible for a last resort financial assistance program within the meaning of subparagraph 1 of the first paragraph subparagraph 1 or 1.1 of the first paragraph of section 48, depending on the situation. In addition, the participant referred to in the second paragraph is deemed to be an adult within the meaning of subparagraph 2 of the first paragraph of section 48. As such, those participants may continue to receive dental and pharmaceutical services under that section, for the period applicable to them and on the conditions provided for in sections 49 to 51, if applicable.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24; O.C. 1350-2020, s. 6.

177.18. Participation is interrupted for any month in which the participant becomes ineligible for financial assistance pursuant to the second paragraph of section 20. Participation resumes from the month in which the participant is considered to reside in Québec again.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.19. Where a participant was exempt from the obligation to fulfil the commitments set out in the labour market entry plan in accordance with section 177.13, participation is extended by

(1)  one month, if the exemption is for at least 4 consecutive weeks but less than 8 consecutive weeks;

(2)  2 months, if the exemption is for at least 8 consecutive weeks.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.20. Participation ends in any of the following cases:

(1)  the participant meets any of the conditions provided for in section 177.10;

(2)  the participant is no longer eligible for financial assistance under the Act or this Regulation, except in the case provided for in section 177.18;

(3)  24 months have elapsed since the first day of the month following the date of the initial application for financial assistance.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.21. Participation the duration of which has been increased pursuant to the first paragraph of section 83.4 of the Act ends upon request by the participant who has accumulated at least 12 months of participation if

(1)  the participant proves that he or she is no longer able to fulfil the commitments set out in the participant’s labour market entry plan; and

(2)  no modification is likely to be made to the plan, pursuant to the fifth paragraph of section 83.2 of the Act, in order to allow the participant to continue participation in the program.

Participating ends, on the same conditions, upon request by the participant who is in any of the situations referred to in section 177.11, except if the participant reaches the age set in section 63 during participation.

Despite the second paragraph, participation ends at any time without condition upon request by a participant who has reached 20 weeks of pregnancy.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

CHAPTER IV FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

DIVISION I AIM FOR EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

§ 1 . — Calculation method

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.22. The Aim for Employment benefit is granted to an independent adult or a family from the month that follows the month of the application for last resort financial assistance. It may also be granted for the month of the application, in accordance with the rules in subdivision 4.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.23. The Aim for Employment benefit is established, for each month, by considering the independent adult’s or family’s situation on the last day of the previous month. It is equal to the deficit in resources compared to needs, which is calculated by

(1)  determining the amount of the applicable basic benefit and increasing it, if applicable, by the amounts referred to in sections 177.25 to 177.27; and

(2)  subtracting from the amount obtained under paragraph 1 the income, earnings and other benefits received by the independent adult or family members during the previous month, except to the extent provided for in subdivision 3.

In addition, where the amount obtained pursuant to the first paragraph is greater than zero, the benefit is increased, if applicable, by a work income supplement, the amount of which is calculated in accordance with section 177.28.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24; S.Q. 2018, c. 11, s. 28.

§ 2 . — Basic benefit and amounts that may increase it

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.24. The basic benefit granted to an independent adult, including the adult referred to in sections 25 and 26, or to a family composed of one adults, is $663. The basic benefit for a family composed of 2 adults is $1,027.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24; O.C. 7-2018, s. 4.

177.25. The basic benefit granted to a family is increased by an amount equal to the temporarily limited capacity allowance to which the family’s adult member who is not a participant would have been entitled under the Social Assistance Program. That amount is equal to the amount referred to in the first paragraph of section 64.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.25.1. The basic benefit granted to an independent adult, including an independent adult referred to in sections 25 and 26, or to a family, is adjusted by $45.

O.C. 7-2018, s. 5; O.C. 1408-2018, s. 13; O.C. 1408-2018, s. 17; O.C. 1350-2020, s. 7.

177.26. The basic benefit granted to a family is increased by a monthly amount equal to the sum of the adjustments for dependent children to which it would be entitled under the Social Assistance Program. Subdivision 3 of Division II of Chapter III of Title IV applies for the purposes of granting such amount.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.27. The basic benefit granted to an independent adult or a family is increased by any special benefit to which the independent adult, the family or a family member would be entitled under the Social Assistance Program. Subdivision 4 of Division II of Chapter III of Title IV applies for the purposes of granting such amount.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.28. In the case provided for in the second paragraph of section 177.23, the basic benefit granted to the participant or the participant’s family is increased by a supplement whose amount corresponds to 20% of the portion of the participant’s work income in excess of the amount of the exclusion applicable in the situation under the first paragraph of section 114.

For the purposes of granting such a supplement, the income referred to in the third paragraph of section 114 is not work income.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24; S.Q. 2018, c. 11, s. 29; O.C. 1408-2018, s. 14.

§ 3 . — Income, earnings and other benefits

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.29. The following income, earnings and other benefits are excluded for the purpose of calculating the Aim for Employment benefit:

(1)  the family allowance established under section 71 including the supplement for the purchase of school supplies, except for the purposes of the first paragraph of section 72;

(2)  the Canada child benefit established under section 71, except for the purposes of the second paragraph of section 72;

(3)  sums received by a person as an intermediate resource or a family-type resource otherwise than as comparable remuneration pursuant to a group agreement entered into under the Act respecting the representation of family-type resources and certain intermediate resources and the negotiation process for their group agreements (chapter R-24.0.2) or comparable remuneration determined by the Minister of Health and Social Services pursuant to subparagraph 2 of the third paragraph of section 303 or section 314 of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2), as the case may be;

(4)  sums received under the Regulation respecting financial assistance to facilitate the adoption of a child (chapter P-34.1, r. 4) and sums received by a tutor appointed by the court under section 70.1 of the Youth Protection Act (chapter P-34.1) to take in charge a child;

(5)  all the income of a dependent child;

(6)  income from a succession, a trust or a gift devolved to a dependent child before the income can be used for the child’s maintenance;

(7)  income that ceases during the month of the application to establish the benefit of the following month;

(8)  interest income;

(9)  dividend income, unless it is paid as remuneration;

(10)  sums received as tax credits;

(11)  allowances received under section 3.1 of the Act respecting the Société d’habitation du Québec (chapter S-8);

(12)  sums paid by the Minister as additional expenses related to participation in an employment-assistance or a social assistance and support measure or program and sums paid by a third person and recognized as such by the Minister;

(13)  sums paid by the Minister as additional expenses related to participation in a specific program or as reimbursement for expenses related to participation in the Aim for Employment Program;

(14)  employment-assistance allowances paid by the Minister and employment-assistance allowances paid by a third party and recognized as such by the Minister, up to $222 per month per person or, if the person has no spouse but a dependent child, up to $353 per month;

(15)  support allowances paid by a third party and recognized as such by the Minister, up to $130 per month per person;

(16)  amounts received under a program of the Minister of Health and Social Services for home care and assistance services;

(17)  amounts received by a person responsible for a foster home under a service contract with the Minister of Public Security to facilitate the social reinsertion of the persons required to reside there;

(18)  income earned as an election officer in a poll or as a candidate’s mandatary if the mandatary is designated by power of attorney;

(19)  periodic payments of support received by a family, up to $350 per month per dependent child;

(20)  periodic payments of support, if the payments are made as payment for a residence in which the creditor resides and of which the debtor of support is the owner;

(21)  payments for a debt if they are made under a disability insurance contract;

(21.1)  sums received as donations, up to $100 per month;

(22)  the monetary value of property given or services rendered, including in the form of clothes, furniture, meals, food or rent reductions granted by the owner or lessee, if they are given or made without consideration and otherwise than to satisfy a judgment or an obligation arising out of a juridical act;

(23)  lifetime payments made for the benefit of a dependent child from a registered disability savings plan.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24; O.C. 1408-2018, s. 15; S.Q. 2019, c. 14, s. 666; O.C. 1408-2018, s. 15; O.C. 891-2019, s. 6.

177.30. For the purposes of considering income, sections 44, 113 to 114.1, 118 to 120 and 122 apply and section 126 applies only in the case of an adult’s income.

For the same purposes, the net income from any self-employment are established at an amount corresponding to 40% of the gross income.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.31. An independent adult or an adult member of the family is deemed to earn the income from employment that would have been received had the adult not taken advantage of the work time reduction measures or leave without pay available under the conditions of employment applicable to the adult, unless that decision was made for a serious reason, in particular because of the state of health of that adult or a member of the family, or if the adult is receiving benefits granted under the Act respecting parental insurance (chapter A-29.011) or section 22 or 23 of the Employment Insurance Act (S.C. 1996, c. 23).

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

§ 4 . — Month of the application

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.32. For the month of the application, the basic benefit and, if applicable, the amounts referred to in sections 177.25 to 177.26 are established in proportion to the number of remaining days in the month on the date of the application in relation to the number of days in that month, less the income, earnings and other benefits received or to be received during that month regardless of the period for which they are owed.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24; O.C. 7-2018, s. 6.

177.33. Income, earnings or other benefits received during the month of the application is taken into consideration to establish the benefit for the following month, regardless of whether the income is included in establishing the assistance granted for the month of the application.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

§ 5 . — Payment and increase

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.34. The Aim for Employment benefit is paid monthly, on the first day of the month, except in case of exceptional circumstances. It is paid jointly to the spouses or, if they so request, to one of them.

Special benefits are paid according to the same conditions as if they were granted under a last resort financial assistance program.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.35. The amounts referred to in section 177.24 are increased on 1 January of each year, based on the adjustment factor established in the first, second and third paragraphs of section 750.2 of the Income Tax Act (chapter I-3) for that year.

If an amount that results from the adjustment provided for in the first paragraph is not a multiple of $1, it must be rounded to the nearest multiple of $1 or, if it is equidistant from two such multiples, to the higher thereof.

The Minister is to inform the public of the increase under this section through Part 1 of the Gazette officielle du Québec and by such other means as the Minister considers appropriate.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

DIVISION II PARTICIPATION ALLOWANCE

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.36. The amount of the allowance granted to a participant who fulfil the commitments set out in the labour market entry plan is established weekly on the basis of the type of activities carried out in the course of the plan.

The amount of the allowance is $60 where the participant has carried out, during a week, the activities related to training or the acquisition of skills set out in the participant’s plan. That amount is increased by $30 if the participant has no spouse and has at least one dependent child.

For the carrying out out of any other type of activities, the allowance amount is $38 for any participant.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.37. Where a participant is exempt from the obligation to fulfil the commitments set out in his or her labour market entry plan in accordance with section 177.13 the amount of the participation allowance corresponds, for a period of exemption of less than 4 consecutive weeks, to the amount to which the participant would be entitled, depending on the participant’s situation, under the second or third paragraph of section 177.36.

For a period of exemption of 4 consecutive weeks or more, the allowance amount is $30 for any participant.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.38. The participation allowance is established for a week regardless of the number of days when activities are planned in the course of the carrying out of the labour market entry plan.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.39. The participation allowance is paid every 2 weeks to participants entitled to it.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.40. A participant may not simultaneously receive a participation allowance and financial assistance under Title I of the Act. A participant who meets the eligibility requirements for both amounts shall be granted the highest between the two.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

CHAPTER V FAILURE TO FULFIL COMMITMENTS

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.41. Should the participant fails without valid reason to fulfil one of the commitments set out in the labour market entry plan, the Aim for Employment benefit of the participant or the participant’s family is reduced for the month following the month in which the failure occurred or, if that is not possible, for the subsequent month, by

(1)  $56, in the case of a first failure;

(2)  $112, in the case of a second failure;

(3)  $224, in the case of any subsequent failure.

The benefit of an independent adult or family may not be reduced more than once pursuant to the first paragraph during a single month.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

177.42. Where a reduction would result in the Aim for Employment benefit being reduced below 50% of the amount to which the independent adult or family would have been entitled without the failure, the reduction imposed is fixed at 50%.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 24.

TITLE V RECOVERY

CHAPTER I GENERAL

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 25.

178. For the purposes of paragraph 1 of section 134 of the Individual and Family Assistance Act (chapter A-13.1.1), in the case of a financial assistance program established under Title II, if an amount is recoverable because of liquid assets, other than those in sections 164 and 164.1, exceeding the assets excluded for the purpose of calculating the financial assistance, the claim is determined up to the highest amount of the excess liquid assets in a month within a period during which the independent adult or family was a recipient under the program.

A period consists of the consecutive months during which there are excess liquid assets and each period is considered separately to determine the recoverable amount. Any period of ineligibility under the program that does not exceed 3 months or any period during which an independent adult or a family is eligible to receive dental and pharmaceutical services pursuant to section 48 is not considered to be an interruption. In addition, liquid assets owned during a period of ineligibility are excluded from the calculation of excess liquid assets.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 178; O.C. 1085-2017, s. 26.

See Transitional provisions (O.C. 1085-2017).

179. A person is not required to repay the amount of the adjustment granted to account for the advance Québec sales tax credit if the claim covers a period for which the Minister has informed the Minister of Revenue of the amount granted to the person as such in an information return filed under section 1086R30 of the Regulation respecting the Taxation Act (chapter I-3, r. 1).

Similarly, a person is not required to repay the amount that, in accordance with the fourth paragraph of section 1029.8.109.4 of the Taxation Act (chapter I-3), has been granted to account for the advance tax credit provided for in section 1029.8.116.16 of that Act if the claim covers a period for which the Minister has informed the Minister of Revenue of the amount granted to the person as such.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 179; S.Q. 2011, c. 1, s. 164.

179.1. An independent adult is not required to repay the amount of the adjustment granted to the adult under section 67.3 for the month during which the adult became a member of a family because of the arrival of a dependent child, and the following month, unless the recoverable amount is owed because of a false declaration.

O.C. 1353-2013, s. 5.

180. A person is not required to repay the amount of the benefit granted for a month under the Social Assistance Program in consideration of the fact that the person resided with his or her father or mother who was a recipient under a last resort financial assistance program if the benefits of the father or mother are subsequently claimed in full for that month. The same applies if the amount of the benefit was established following an erroneous statement from the parent regarding the amount of income received under the Old Age Security Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. O-9).

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 180.

181. A person is not required to repay an amount granted under a last resort financial assistance program if the right realized is from an indemnity other than an income replacement indemnity paid to the person to compensate damage suffered as a result of an expropriation, eviction, fire or other disaster, act of war, attack or indictable offence, except, if applicable, the amount of any special benefit granted to the person to cover the same damage, in the cases and on the conditions that apply for that special benefit.

A person is not required to repay an amount granted under a last resort financial assistance program if the value of the right realized is composed of amounts referred to in sections 135 and 136 and intended to compensate, in whole or in part, for loss of income or loss of support.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 181; O.C. 861-2008, s. 15.

182. An independent adult who is sheltered, an adult who is a minor sheltered with her dependent child, an independent adult or a family whose benefit is administered by the Public Curator is not required to repay an amount recoverable because of excess liquid assets. The adult or family is, however, required to repay the amount recoverable because of excess liquid assets owned during the period between the date of the request by the Minister to file a statement of liquid assets and the date of filing of the statement.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 182.

183. For the purposes of section 87 of the Individual and Family Assistance Act (chapter A-13.1.1), if a legal impediment to the alienation of property ceases and the property is not alienated, the person must repay the amounts granted under a last resort financial assistance program up to the net value of the property at the time the impediment ceases.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 183.

184. The amount recoverable under section 91 of the Act is determined with reference to the amount of the last resort financial assistance benefits granted to the persons covered by the undertaking during the period of the undertaking.

The amount is calculated according to the following conditions and rules:

(1)  in the case of an independent adult or a family all of whose members are covered by the undertaking of only 1 person or persons solidarily liable, the recoverable amount is the amount of the benefits granted during the undertaking, from which the amount of adjustments for dependent children provided for in sections 68 and 196 and the amount of the special benefits other than those provided for in Schedules I to III are subtracted;

(2)  in the case of an independent adult or a family all of whose members are covered by the undertakings of 2 or more persons who are not solidarily liable, the amount recoverable from each person is the amount of the benefits granted during each undertaking, calculated in accordance with subparagraph 1, which is then apportioned having regard to the amount of the benefits, adjustments, allowances, special benefits, resources and repayments attributable to the persons covered by each undertaking;

(3)  in the case of a family of which certain members are covered by the undertaking of only 1 person or persons solidarily liable, the recoverable amount is the amount of the benefits granted during the undertaking, calculated in accordance with subparagraph 1, from which the amount of the benefits, adjustments, allowances and special benefits attributable to the persons not covered by the undertaking and the amount of the resources and repayments attributable to the persons covered by the undertaking are subtracted; and

(4)  in the case of a family of which certain members are covered by undertakings of 2 or more persons who are not solidarily liable, the recoverable amount is the amount of the benefits granted during each undertaking, calculated in accordance with subparagraph 1, from which the amount of benefits, adjustments, allowances and special benefits attributable to the persons not covered by the undertakings is subtracted; the amount obtained is then apportioned having regard to the amount of the benefits, adjustments, allowances, special benefits, resources and repayments attributable to the persons covered by each undertaking.

For the purpose of calculating the amount under the first paragraph, the amount of special benefits granted to a person covered by an undertaking is considered only if the undertaking was signed after 31 October 1994.

For the purposes of subparagraphs 2 to 4 of the second paragraph, if an amount cannot be attributed to a specific family member, the amount is, as applicable, attributed to the only adult member of the family, apportioned in equal shares between the 2 adult members of the family or among each of the dependent children.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 184.

185. Subject to an agreement or withholding pursuant to sections 98 and 101 of the Act, the debtor of a recoverable amount must, as of the issue date of the certificate referred to in section 100 of the Act, repay a monthly amount to the Minister sufficient to repay the debt within a maximum period of 36 months.

The amount of the repayment may not be less than $56 per month, except in the case of an independent adult who is sheltered, an independent adult referred to in the second paragraph of section 60, an adult taken in charge by an intermediate resource or a foster home and an adult who is a minor sheltered with her dependent child, in which case the amount may not be less than $22 per month.

If, however, the recoverable amount is owed because of a false declaration, the amount of the repayment may not be less than $112 per month, or if it is owed because of a false declaration and the debtor has already owed such an amount pursuant to the Act, the recoverable amount may not be less than $224 per month.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 185; O.C. 330-2015, s. 21.

186. The recoverable amount must be repaid in full, immediately and without any other formality or notice, as soon as the debtor fails to comply with section 185 or an agreement with the Minister pursuant to section 98 of the Act.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 186.

187. For the purposes of section 101 of the Act, if financial assistance other than additional expenses is granted on a monthly basis to the debtor, the Minister withholds part of the assistance, up to $56 per month, except as provided hereunder:

(1)  if the recoverable amount is owed because of a false declaration, $112 per month; and

(2)  if the recoverable amount is owed because of a false declaration and the debtor has already owed such an amount pursuant to the Act, $224 per month.

Despite the first paragraph,

(1)  if the debtor is an independent adult who is sheltered, an independent adult referred to in the second paragraph of section 60, an adult taken in charge by an intermediary resource or a foster home, a woman who is a minor sheltered with her dependent child, an ineligible student’s spouse or an independent adult required to reside in an institution, the amount withheld may not exceed $22 per month;

(2)  if the debtor is a participant in the Aim for Employment Program or his or her spouse, the Minister suspends the withholding at the beginning of each month until the end of participation.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 187; O.C. 330-2015, s. 22; O.C. 1085-2017, s. 27.

188. The amount withheld under a financial assistance program established under Title II of the Individual and Family Assistance Act (chapter A-13.1.1) cannot reduce by more than 50% the amount of the financial assistance an independent adult or a family would have otherwise received, in which case the amount withheld is decreased to an amount equal to that 50%.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 188.

189. For the purposes of section 101 of the Act, the Minister withholds part of the financial assistance granted on a weekly basis other than additional expenses, up to $13 per week, except as provided hereunder:

(1)  if the recoverable amount is owed because of a false declaration, $26 per week; and

(2)  if the recoverable amount is owed because of a false declaration and the debtor has already owed such an amount pursuant to the Act, $52 per week.

Despite the first paragraph, if the debtor is a participant in the Aim for Employment Program or his or her spouse, the Minister suspends the withholding at the beginning of each month until the end of participation.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 189; O.C. 1085-2017, s. 28.

190. If section 101 of the Act applies in respect of an amount owed under a measure or program established by the Minister under the Act respecting the Ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale and the Commission des partenaires du marché du travail (chapter M-15.001), pursuant to section 195 of the Individual and Family Assistance Act (chapter A-13.1.1), the Minister withholds the amounts set out in section 187 or 189, on the conditions set out therein and according to the weekly or monthly payment terms applicable to the measure or program concerned.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 190.

191. Only 1 of the withholdings in sections 187, 189 and 190 may apply for the same month in respect of a debtor and is made in the following order:

(1)  the withholding under section 187, applicable to a last resort financial assistance program;

(2)  (paragraph revoked);

(3)  the withholding under section 187, applicable to a specific program;

(4)  the withholding under section 189, applicable to a specific program;

(5)  the withholding under section 190; and

(6)  the withholding under section 189, applicable to an employment-assistance allowance.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 191; O.C. 1085-2017, s. 29.

192. Subject to section 116 of the Individual and Family Assistance Act and as of the 98th day after the date on which the Minister sends a formal notice to the debtor under section 97 of the Act, the debtor of a recoverable amount is required to pay interest at the rate determined under the first paragraph of section 28 of the Tax Administration Act (chapter A-6.002).

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 192.

193. Except if the recoverable amount is owed because of a false declaration, the debtor is not required to pay interest if

(1)  the debtor complies with the agreement with the Minister under section 98 of the Individual and Family Assistance Act (chapter A-13.1.1);

(2)  the debtor makes the repayment required by section 185;

(3)  the amount granted to the debtor is subject to the withholding under section 187, 189 or 190;

(4)  the debtor attends a secondary-level educational institution in a vocational program or a postsecondary educational institution within the meaning of section 23 on a full-time basis; or

(5)  the debtor is a participant in the Aim for Employment Program or the spouse of such participant.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 193; O.C. 1085-2017, s. 30.

194. The debtor of a recoverable amount is required to pay the following recovery charges:

(1)  $100 for every formal notice sent pursuant to section 97 of the Act, if the recoverable amount is at least $100 and is owed because of a false declaration;

(2)  $50 for the certificate filed pursuant to section 103 of the Act; and

(3)  $175 for each measure to secure a claim taken under Title III of Book VI of the Civil Code and for each enforcement measure taken under under Book VIII of the Code of Civil Procedure (chapter C-25.01).

The charges are part of the recoverable amount.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 194; I.N. 2016-01-01 (NCCP).

CHAPTER II VOLUNTARY DECLARATION PROGRAM

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 31.

194.1. Where a person is recognized as a voluntary declarant pursuant to section 106.1 of the Act, the following provisions do not apply to the claim made following the person’s declaration:

(1)  the second paragraph of section 114;

(2)  the second paragraph of section 162;

(3)  the third paragraph of section 185;

(4)  subparagraphs 1 and 2 of the first paragraph of section 187;

(5)  subparagraphs 1 and 2 of the first paragraph of section 189;

(6)  subparagraph 1 of the first paragraph of section 194.

For the purposes of section 193, the recoverable amount established following a person’s recognition as a voluntary declarant is not considered to be owed due to a false declaration.

The exceptions in subparagraphs 1 and 2 of the first paragraph do not apply to any period for which a voluntary declarant has already received a claim following a false declaration concerning work income.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 31.

194.2. As of the revocation of a person’s recognition as a voluntary declarant, the first and second paragraphs of section 194.1 cease to have effect. The recoverable amount is then established again.

O.C. 1085-2017, s. 31.

TITLE VI TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL

195. Until 31 March 2008, the Labour Code (chapter C-27), the Act respecting collective agreement decrees (chapter D-2), the Public Service Act (chapter F-3.1.1) and the Act respecting labour standards (chapter N-1.1) do not apply to work activities engaged in as part of the social integration work assistance measure.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 195.

196. A family composed of only 1 adult and not more than 2 dependent children that, in December 2006, receives the increase referred to in section 200 of the Regulation respecting income support (O.C. 1011-99, 99-09-01) continues to receive, as of 1 January 2007, an adjustment of the basic benefit provided for in section 56 or 57 or the social solidarity allowance provided for in section 156 in the amount of $8.33 for the first dependent child and $22.83 for the second dependent child.

In that case, the family retains the right to the adjustment so long as the family is entitled to receive, without interruption, last resort financial assistance benefits or the special benefit for dental and pharmaceutical services pursuant to section 48, and so long as the family continues to be composed of only 1 adult and not more than 2 dependent children.

For the purposes of this section, the youngest dependent child is deemed to be the first child.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 196.

197. For the purposes of this Regulation, every benefit granted under the Employment-Assistance Program established under the Act (chapter S-32.001) respecting income support, employment assistance and social solidarity is a benefit granted under a last resort financial assistance program established by the Individual and Family Assistance Act (chapter A-13.1.1).

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 197.

198. For the purposes of section 184, the recoverable amount is determined with reference to the calculation rules for last resort financial assistance benefits for the period covered by the claim, with the necessary modifications.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 198.

199. (Revoked).

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 199; O.C. 176-2011, s. 6.

200. (Revoked).

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 200; O.C. 176-2011, s. 6.

201. (Revoked).

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 201; O.C. 176-2011, s. 6.

202. Until 1 July 2007, the rules relating to the parental contribution set out in sections 127 to 130 and in section 205 of the Regulation respecting income support, as they read on 31 December 2006, apply to an adult who is deemed to receive a parental contribution under subparagraph f of paragraph 2 of section 55 of the Individual and Family Assistance Act (chapter A-13.1.1), with the necessary modifications.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 202.

203. This Regulation replaces the Regulation respecting income support (O.C. 1011-99, 99-09-01).

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 203.

204. As of 1 July 2007, for the purposes of the Social Assistance Program and the Social Solidarity Program, a child in respect of whom custody is shared under an order or agreement that sets the annual custody arrangements at less than 40% is an adult’s dependant if, on 30 June 2007, the adult was a recipient under either program or was eligible to receive dental and pharmaceutical services pursuant to section 48 and had a dependent child for whom annual custody arrangements provided for less than 40% custody.

However, on 1 July 2007, if the annual custody arrangements provide for less than 20% custody, the amount of the dependent child adjustments provided for in this Regulation that apply to the child, except the adjustment in section 68, is determined by multiplying the amount by the custody percentage.

This section continues to apply so long as the adult is, without interruption, a recipient of a last resort financial assistance program or is eligible to receive dental and pharmaceutical services pursuant to section 48, and so long as the adult shares custody of a child under an order or an agreement that sets the annual custody arrangements at less than 40% custody.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 204.

205. As of 1 July 2007, for the purposes of an employment-assistance measure or program, a child in respect of whom custody is shared under an order or an agreement that sets the annual custody arrangements at less than 40% custody is an adult’s dependant if, in June 2007, the adult participated in such a measure or program and the child was considered to be the adult’s dependant under the agreement with the Minister in that respect.

This section continues to apply so long as the adult continues, without interruption, to participate in the employment-assistance measure or program covered by the agreement, and so long as the adult has custody of the child.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 205.

206. (Revoked).

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 206; O.C. 1096-2006, s. 14; O.C. 176-2011, s. 6.

207. Until 1 October 2007, for the purposes of section 170, income considered pursuant to the second paragraph of section 166 and the first paragraph of section 169 is also subtracted from liquid assets owned on the date of application provided the income has been deposited in a financial institution.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 207.

208. As of 1 January 2007, an agreement entered into under section 227 of the Act respecting income support, employment assistance and social solidarity (chapter S-32.001) remains in force for the purposes of that Act and the Individual and Family Assistance Act (chapter A-13.1.1) until the agreement is replaced or cancelled.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 208.

209. This Regulation comes into force on 1 January 2007, except section 13 and subparagraph 1 of the first paragraph of section 48, which come into force on 1 April 2007, sections 152 to 154, which come into force on 1 July 2007, and paragraphs 8, 10 and 11 of section 138 and section 175, which come into force on 1 October 2007.

Despite the foregoing, the provisions applicable to the Youth Alternative Program or a specific program have effect only as of 1 April 2007. In addition, section 13 has effect in respect of an employment-assistance measure or program, the Social Assistance Program and the Social Solidarity Program only as of 1 July 2007. Until that date, section 44 of the Regulation respecting income support, as it read on 31 December 2006, continues to apply in respect of a family eligible under the Social Assistance Program or the Social Solidarity Program, with the necessary modifications.

O.C. 1073-2006, s. 209.

SCHEDULE I

(s. 96)

GLASSES AND LENSES

DIVISION 1

RULES OF APPLICATION

1.1 Lenses and supplementary items

1.1.1 Special benefits cover the cost of the lenses and supplementary items listed in subdivision 2.3 of Division 2 under the rates listed therein.

1.1.2 The cost of both lenses is reimbursed where the weaker eye requires a correction of at least 0.50 dioptres or use of a prism prescribed as a supplementary item. The prism must provide a correction of at least 1 dioptre in the weaker eye.

1.1.3 The cost of a lens is not reimbursed unless it was prescribed by an optometrist or a physician, except to replace a broken lens.

1.1.4 The cost of replacing lenses is paid when the recipient’s vision requires a correction of at least 0.50 dioptres and, in the case of a dependent child, when the child’s growth so requires.

In the case of accidental breakage, damage or loss, the special benefit may not exceed 75% of the amounts listed in subdivision 2.2 of Division 2.

1.1.5 A recipient who needs bifocal lenses but whose inability to wear them is certified by an optometrist or a physician is entitled to 2 pairs of glasses.

Special benefits may cover, for the purchase of those glasses, only the cost of the pair of bifocal lenses which the recipient is unable to wear, and the cost of 1 pair of frames under the rates listed in Division 2.

1.2 Contact lenses

1.2.1 Special benefits cover the cost of hard unifocal contact lenses, hard bifocal contact lenses, hard toric contact lenses and soft contact lenses provided on prescription under the rates listed in subdivision 2.4 of Division 2,

(a) upon medical or optometric prescription, when the correction otherwise obtained is not adequate and in any case of

i. myopia of at least 5 dioptres,

ii. hypermetropia of at least 5 dioptres,

iii. astigmatism of at least 3 dioptres,

iv. anisometropia of at least 2 dioptres,

v. keratoconus, or

vi. aphakia, or

(b) upon medical prescription, for treatment of any acute or chronic pathology of the eyeball, such as ocular perforation, ulceration of the cornea or dry keratitis.

1.2.2 Special benefits cover the cost of replacing contact lenses under the rates listed in subdivision 2.4 of Division 2

(a) when the recipient’s vision requires a correction of at least 0.50 dioptres; and

(b) in the case of accidental breakage, damage or loss.

1.3 Frames

1.3.1 Special benefits cover the cost of purchasing 1 pair of frames under the rates listed in subdivision 2.5 of Division 2, once per 24-month period for an adult and whenever necessary for a dependent child.

1.3.2 When an adult’s frames have been accidentally broken or lost, special benefits cover the cost of replacing the frames under the rates listed in subdivision 2.5 of Division 2; in such a case, the cost of another pair of frames may be paid only 24 months after the date of replacement.

DIVISION 2

RATES

2.1 General

2.1.1 The notion of “replacement” used in this Schedule concerns situations where a special benefit has already been granted to pay the cost, as the case may be, of a pair of frames, lenses or contact lenses.

2.1.2 The rates in this Division apply for 1 lens, except for the replacement of 2 contact lenses.

2.1.3 The rates in this Division for one bifocal lens apply to a round bifocal lens.

2.1.4 The cylinder must always be calculated in minus terms (-) to determine to which category a spherical or spherico-cylindrical lens belongs.

2.2 Lenses

Spherical power         Cylindrical power        Unifocal lens      Bifocal lens
 
 Plano to 4.00                                       $14.50            $29    
 Plano to 4.00            -0.25 to -3.00             $19               $35.50
 Plano to 4.00            -3.25 to -6.00             $26               $42
 4.25 to 10.00                                       $19.50            $34
 4.25 to 10.00            -0.25 to -3.00             $27.50            $46
 4.25 to 10.00            -3.25 to -6.00             $34.50            $53
10.25 to 12.00                                       $30.50            $71.50
10.25 to 12.00            -0.25 to -3.00             $37.50            $77.50
10.25 to 12.00            -3.25 to -6.00             $41               $83.50
    

2.3 Supplementary items

Prism 1 to 7 dioptres: $6

Prism 7.25 to 10 dioptres: $9

Compensatory prism: $25

Spherical exceeding 12 dioptres: $14

Cylindrical exceeding 6 dioptres: $11

Addition exceeding 4 dioptres: $9

Fresnel lens: $14

Safety mineral lens (dependent child only): $4

Scratch-resistant coating for organic lenses (dependent child only): $4

High index unifocal lens (1.6 or more) if there is a correction of at least 8 dioptres: $22

2.4 Contact lenses

2.4.1 Purchase or replacement when the correction required is at least 0.50 dioptres

— Spherical lens: $62.50 each

— Toric lens: $65 each

2.4.2 Replacement due to accidental breakage, damage or loss

— 1 lens: $50

— 2 lenses: $95

2.5 Frames

— Purchase: $50

— Replacement due to accidental breakage or loss (adults): $40

O.C. 1073-2006, Sch. I.

SCHEDULE II

(s. 97)

ORTHOPEDIC SHOES AND PLANTAR ORTHOSES

DIVISION 1

RULES OF APPLICATION

1.1 Special benefits cover the cost of custom orthopedic shoes and plantar orthoses up to the maximum amount indicated in the rates listed in Division 2; however, in the case of an orthopedic shoe referred to in paragraph 2.1.1, special benefits cover the cost of only 1 pair of shoes per adult not more than once in a 12-month period, and only for the cost in excess of $50.

In the case of plantar orthoses, benefits cover the cost of a single pair during the first year of the initial fitting.

1.2 The rate for corrective shoes covers standard corrective shoes whether, open, closed or straight toed.

1.3 The rate for a wedge or elevation applies to each shoe and the rate for Thomas heels applies to the pair of shoes.

1.4 Special benefits cover the cost of replacement of plantar orthoses only once per 2-year period, unless a replacement is needed for a dependent child due to the child’s growth.

DIVISION 2

RATES

2.1 Shoes

2.1.1 Shoes manufactured from a plaster, wood or plastic cast, individual or universal: $500 a pair

2.1.2 Standard corrective shoes, whether open, closed or straight toed (child): $30 a pair

2.2 Plantar orthoses (foot orthoses or podiatric orthoses): $180 a pair

2.3 Wedge (inside or outside)

— sole: $15

— heel: $20

2.4 Thomas heels (child): $15 a pair

2.5 Elevation of sole and heel

— less than 15 mm in height: $25

— between 15 and 30 mm in height: $50

— over 30 mm in height: $75

O.C. 1073-2006, Sch. II.

SCHEDULE III

(s. 98)

PROSTHESES, ORTHOSES AND ACCESSORIES

DIVISION 1

RULES OF APPLICATION

1.1 Special benefits cover the cost of prostheses, orthoses and accessories up to the maximum amount indicated in the rates listed in Division 2, insofar as the cost is not borne by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec.

1.2 Special benefits cover the rental cost up to the maximum amount indicated in the rates listed in Division 2, insofar as the cost, considering the duration of the need, does not exceed the purchase cost.

1.3 The cost of the articles listed under the heading “Elimination System” is not paid if the recipient already receives special benefits for paraplegia.

DIVISION 2

RATES

2.1 Hernia belts, all sizes (including pads)

— single: $40

— double: $68

2.2 Orthopedic supports

2.2.1 Sacro-iliac supports, all sizes: $75

2.2.2 Sacro-lumbar supports, all sizes (including 2 steel stays)

— men: $75

— women: $85

2.2.3 Dorso-lumbar corsets (including garters, perineal strap and steel stays)

— men: $150

— women: $155

2.3 Straps (cotton, all sizes)

2.3.1 Straps (post-operative belts): $37

2.3.2 Thoracic supports: $18

2.3.3 Abdominal binders: $37

2.3.4 Arm straps (supports): $8

2.3.5 Shoulder straps (supports): $40

2.4 Elastic stockings

2.4.1 20 mm compression

— knee-high: $59

— above-knee: $77

— tights: $91

— maternity: $97

2.4.2 30 to 70 mm compression

— knee-high: $59

— above-knee: $77

— groin: $89

— half-tights: $65

— tights: $140

2.5 Cervical orthoses

2.5.1 Cervical collars, soft or rigid: $20

2.5.2 Cervical traction set, complete, with bag and chin support: $40

2.6 Orthoses, upper limbs

2.6.1 Elbow supports (elastic): $25

2.6.2 Elbow orthoses (elastic): $35

2.7 Orthoses, lower limbs

2.7.1 Ankle supports: $25

2.7.2 Ankle orthoses, all sizes: $40

2.7.3 Knee supports: $47

2.7.4 Elastic knee braces: $60

2.7.5 Knee braces with metal hinges: $92

2.7.6 Knee braces (hinge free): $64

2.8 Elimination system

2.8.1 Catheter – Probe (each)

— short duration: $5.95

— long duration: $26.80

2.8.2 Strips, adaptors, glue and straps (each)

— Urihesive strips: $5.45

— Self-adhesive elastic strips: $0.15

— Adaptors: $3.85

— Catheter glue (118-ml container): $27.40

— Leg bag straps: $7.95

2.8.3 Tubes and syringes (each)

— Latex tube: $0.75

— Extension tube: $10.10

— Plastic tube clip: $2.75

— Plastic tube clamp: $3.85

— Disposable syringe: $2.15

— Stomach tube, all sizes: $8

2.8.4 Drainage bags (unit): $14.30

2.8.5 Urinal

— Complete, reusable bag not included (Davol type): $135

2.8.6 Tray (each)

— Irrigation tray: $6.55

— Catheterization tray – Probe: $5.25

2.8.7 Incontinence pants (case): $60

2.8.8 Incontinence diapers (case): $55

2.8.9 Underpads

— Disposable (each): $0.40

— Washable (package): $30

2.8.10 Sodium chloride or sterile water (500 ml) $4.85

2.8.11 (repealed)

2.9 Miscellaneous

2.9.1 Commode chair

— stationary: $150

— adjustable: $312

2.9.2 Adjustable toilet seat: $80

2.9.3 Adjustable toilet safety rail

— each: $36

— pair: $63

2.9.4 Bath bench

— with back: $60

— without back: $45

2.9.5 Bathtub and toilet rail, all lengths

— straight: $21

— “L” shaped: $53

2.9.6 Bandages and dressings (each)

— Bandage: $9.75

— Sterile dressing: $1.95

— Non-sterile dressing: $0.15

— Antiseptic or aseptic swab: $0.05

2.9.7 Lubricant, solvent and solution

— Lubricant (packet): $0.10

— Lubricant (tube): $5.10

— Solvent (packet): $0.44

— Antiseptic solution (100 ml): $3.30

2.9.8 Gloves and towels (each)

— Sterile glove: $0.65

— Non-sterile glove: $0.15

— Antiseptic or aseptic towel: $0.15

2.9.9 Eggshell mattress pad: $30

2.10 Ambulatory aids

2.10.1 Canes

— wood: $16

— aluminum (adjustable): $30

2.10.2 Crutches

— wood: $20

— aluminum: $46

— forearm: $103

2.10.3 Adjustable walkers: $89

2.10.4 Wheelchair: $518

2.11 Hospital beds

2.11.1 Hospital bed: $435

2.11.2 Mattress: $109

2.11.3 Bed rails (pair): $130

2.12 Breathing apparatus

2.12.1 Model suitable for home use: $258

2.12.2 Aerosol compressor: $250

2.13 Rental

2.13.1 Wheelchairs: $35/month

2.13.2 Ambulatory aids: $6/month

2.13.3 Hospital beds: $69/month

2.13.4 Breathing apparatus

— all kinds including: mechanical ventilators, oxygen enrichers, secretion suction devices: $500/month

— oxygen concentrator: $250/month

O.C. 1073-2006, Sch. III; O.C. 511-2013, s. 5; O.C. 891-2019, s. 7.

TRANSITIONAL

2021

(O.C. 1312-2021) SECTION 17. Section 9 has effect from 1 October 2021.

2020

(O.C. 1350-2020) SECTION 8. Despite paragraph 2 of section 5 of this Regulation, the adjusted amounts of $290 and $190 provided for in the second paragraph of section 157.1 of the Individual and Family Assistance Regulation (chapter A-13.1.1, r. 1) are $365 and $227, respectively, as of 1 January 2022.

2018

(O.C. 1408-2018) SECTION 16. Despite sections 3 and 9 of this Regulation, the amount of the basic benefits provided for in section 60 and the second paragraph of section 157 of the Individual and Family Assistance Regulation (chapter A-13.1.1, r. 1) is $235, to which an adjustment by $10 is added.

The amount of the allowances is set in accordance with this section until the amount of the personal expense allowance referred to in the second paragraph of section 512 of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2) is greater thereof or, not later than 31 December 2019.

SECTION 17. Despite paragraph 1 of sections 4 and 10 and section 13 of this Regulation, as of 1 January 2020

(1) the amount of the $25 adjustment provided for in section 67.4 of the Individual and Family Assistance Regulation (chapter A-13.1.1, r. 1) is $35;

(2) the adjustment amounts of $83 and $98 provided for in the first paragraph of section 157.1 of the Regulation are, respectively, $93 and $108 and those of $145 and $130 provided for in the second paragraph of that section are, respectively, $215 and $160;

(3) the amount of the $25 adjustment provided for in section 177.25.1 of the Regulation is $35.

2017

(O.C. 1085-2017) SECTION 32. Sections 3, 53, 111, 138, 169, 172 and 191 of the Individual and Family Assistance Regulation (chapter A-13.1.1, r. 1), as they read on 31 March 2018, continue to apply, as the case may be, to a person benefiting on that date from financial assistance under the Youth Alternative Program or in respect of the amounts paid under that program.

SECTION 33. Sections 71 and 72, paragraphs 2, 9 and 27 of section 111 and sections 168 and 176 of the Regulation, as they read on 30 June 2018, continue to apply in respect of the amounts received as Canada child tax benefits, a national child benefit supplement or universal child care benefits as of 1 July 2018.

SECTION 34. Paragraph 1 of section 3 and sections 11, 16, 17, 21 and 26 have effect as of 1 November 2015.

However, the first paragraph of section 164.1 of the Individual and Family Assistance Regulation, introduced by section 16 of this Regulation, applies, with regard to the maximum amount of $950 per month, only as of 1 February 2018 to any person who, since 1 November 2015, is or has become a recipient under a last resort financial assistance program or a recipient of dental and pharmaceutical services pursuant to section 48 of the of the Individual and Family Assistance Regulation and who received income from assets referred to in subparagraph 4 of the first paragraph of section 164 of the Regulation, where such income was taken into consideration to calculate the person’s benefit.

In addition, the second paragraph of section 164.1 of the Individual and Family Assistance Regulation, introduced by section 16 of this Regulation, does not apply to any person referred to in the second paragraph who, in addition to meeting the requirements provided for therein, was a recipient under a last resort financial assistance program or received dental and pharmaceutical services pursuant to section 48 of the of the Individual and Family Assistance Regulation on 31 October 2015, as long as the person remains, without interruption, a recipient under such a program or a recipient of such services.

2014

(O.C. 1353-2013) SECTION 6. Despite section 2 of this Regulation, the amount of the adjustment provided for in the first paragraph of section 67.3 of the Individual and Family Assistance Regulation (chapter A-13.1.1, r. 1) is the following:

(1) from 1 January to 31 December 2015: $30;

(2) from 1 January to 31 December 2016: $40;

(3) from 1 January 2017: $50.

2013

(O.C. 511-2013) SECTION 6. Despite section 1, the temporarily limited capacity allowance provided for in section 62 of the Individual and Family Assistance Regulation (chapter A-13.1.1, r. 1) may be paid until 30 September 2013 to an adult in a family referred to in subparagraph 2 of the first paragraph of section 25 of the Act who, on 30 June 2013, is eligible for a temporarily limited capacity allowance under that section, as long as the adult remains eligible without interruption.

The allowance ceases to be paid from the moment an adult in the family becomes eligible for a youth allowance, employment-assistance allowance, support allowance or an allowance recognized as such pursuant to section 17 of the Act.

In the case of an adult whose spouse is an ineligible student under paragraph 1 of section 27 of the Act, the provisions of the first and second paragraphs apply, with the necessary modifications.

SECTION 7. Section 63 of the Individual and Family Assistance Regulation, as it read on 30 June 2013, continues to apply to the independent adult or an adult member of a family who, on that date, is between 55 and 57 years of age and is a recipient under a last resort financial assistance program or is eligible to receive dental and pharmaceutical services pursuant to section 48 of the Regulation, so long as the independent adult or the adult member of a family remains, without interruption, a recipient of the program or is eligible to receive those services.

(O.C. 159-2013) SECTION 11. Paragraph 3 of section 111 of the Individual and Family Assistance Regulation as it reads before 1 April 2013 continues to apply in respect of sums received by a person until a group agreement concerning the person as an intermediate resource or a family-type resource is entered into under the Act respecting the representation of family-type resources and certain intermediate resources and the negotiation process for their group agreements (chapter R-24.0.2) or until the Minister of Health and Social Services determines the comparable remuneration the person will receive pursuant to subparagraph 2 of the third paragraph of section 303 or section 314 of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2), as the case may be.

Despite the first paragraph, sums received as comparable remuneration by a person as an intermediate resource or a family-type resource are considered, as of 1 April 2013, as income from self-employment within the meaning of section 114.1 introduced by this Regulation. Sums received for periods before 1 April 2013 are not considered as work income for those periods.

REFERENCES

O.C. 1073-2006, 2006 G.O. 2, 3877

O.C. 1096-2006, 2006 G.O. 2, 3911

O.C. 210-2007, 2007 G.O. 2, 1138

O.C. 654-2007, 2007 G.O. 2, 2384

O.C. 1064-2007, 2007 G.O. 2, 3688

O.C. 456-2008, 2008 G.O. 2, 1333

O.C. 573-2008, 2008 G.O. 2, 2123

O.C. 861-2008, 2008 G.O. 2, 4584

O.C. 1145-2008, 2008 G.O. 2, 5516A

O.C. 1043-2009, 2009 G.O. 2, 3480

O.C. 1279-2009, 2009 G.O. 2, 4086

O.C. 1026-2010, 2010 G.O. 2, 3849

S.Q. 2010, c. 31, s. 91

S.Q. 2011, c. 1, ss. 163 and 164

O.C. 176-2011, 2011 G.O. 2, 671A

O.C. 434-2011, 2011 G.O. 2, 1049

O.C. 159-2013, 2013 G.O. 2, 619

O.C. 511-2013, 2013 G.O. 2, 1445

S.Q. 2013, c. 23, s. 164

O.C. 1353-2013, 2014 G.O. 2, 73

O.C. 330-2015, 2015 G.O. 2, 503

O.C. 364-2015, 2015 G.O. 2, 741

O.C. 1085-2017, 2017 G.O. 2, 3407

O.C. 7-2018, 2018 G.O. 2, 145

S.Q. 2018, c. 11, ss. 28 and 29

S.Q. 2016, c. 3, s. 128

S.Q. 2016, c. 1, s. 147

O.C. 1408-2018, 2018 G.O. 2, 5247

S.Q. 2019, c. 1, ss. 16 to 18

S.Q. 2019, c. 14, s. 666

O.C. 891-2019, 2019 G.O. 2, 2290

O.C. 1350-2020, 2020 G.O. 2, 3412

S.Q. 2020, c. 6, ss. 33 to 36

S.Q. 2021, c. 13, s. 175

O.C. 1312-2021, 2021 G.O. 2, 4522