Quebec

Family Allowance

Easy application

Need you to file taxes and apply separately

The Family Allowance program provides financial assistance to families with children under 18 years of age.

The amount you may receive through this program is determined by the following factors:

  • the number of dependent children under the age of 18 living with you.
  • the number of children in shared custody.
  • the family income (the combined total of both spouses' incomes).
  • the type of family (single-parent or two-parent).

The lowest amount you can get is $1,040 per child, per year. You may be able to get more if your income is low, or if your child has a disability. Visit the Amounts and Payment page to learn more about the amounts you could get.

To be able to get the Family Allowance, you must meet the following conditions:

  • You are responsible for the care and education of a child under the age of 18.
  • You live with the child or, if the child has been placed in a youth centre, you pay the contribution required by the centre.
  • You live in Québec (in accordance with the Québec Taxation Act).
  • The beneficiary (you) or your spouse has one of the following statuses:
    • Canadian citizen
    • permanent resident
    • temporary resident who has been living in Canada for the last 18 months protected person.

There is no entitlement to the Family Allowance payment for:

  • the child's foster family
  • a person who is exonerated from paying tax by Revenue Québec
  • a person who is waiting for a protected person status (refugee claimant)
  • a child who is married or in a common law union and the child's spouse was entitled to a transfer from one spouse to the other.

Proof of birth

A document with first name, last name, and date of birth. For example:

  • Birth certificate or birth registration
  • Hospital record of birth or record of the physician/nurse/midwife who attended the birth
  • Passport
  • Record of landing or confirmation of permanent residence issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
  • Citizenship certificate
  • Note of decision or temporary resident’s permit issued under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
  • Certificate of Indian status card
  • Provincial identity card

Proof of  residency in Province

For example:

  • lease agreement
  • rent receipt
  • household bill
    • gas
    • electricity
    • cable television
    • telephone
  • driver's license
  • vehicle registration or car insurance
  • membership in social or professional organization
  • Other:
    • bank information
    • employment information

Social Insurance Number

For example:

  • confirmation of SIN letter
  • plastic SIN card (non-expired)

If your child was born in Quebec after December 31, 2006, you don’t need to apply. Your child is automatically signed up for this program when the birth is declared to the Directeur de l'état civil.

You must file an Application for Family Allowance if:

  • you adopt a child
  • you are an immigrant or become a resident of Québec
  • your child arrives in or returns to Québec
  • you live in Québec but your child was born outside Québec
  • you obtain custody of a child
  • you obtain shared custody of a child
  • you retain custody of a child following the breakdown of your union and you were not previously receiving the Family Allowance payments in your name.

Last updated: May 11, 2022