Quebec Family Allowance is a provincial financial assistance program that provides eligible families with payments annually, depending on family income and structure. Along with the federal Canada Child Benefit, this benefit helps Quebec residents cover the costs of raising children under 18 years old.
What is Quebec Family Allowance?
Quebec Family Allowance is a non-taxable financial assistance program that provides quarterly or monthly payments to eligible families with dependent children under 18 years of age. The program operates independently from the federal Canada Child Benefit and is designed to help families meet their children’s basic needs.
The Family Allowance program consists of three distinct benefits:
- The Basic Family Allowance
- Supplement for the Purchase of School Supplies
- Supplements for handicapped children
Unlike the Canada Child Benefit administered by the Canada Revenue Agency, Quebec Family Allowance is managed by Retraite Québec. Parents of Quebec-born children are automatically enrolled when they register the birth with the Directeur de l’état civil, eliminating the need for a separate application in most cases.
Who is Eligible for Quebec Family Allowance?
If you’re living in Quebec and taking care of a child under 18, you might be able to receive the Quebec Family Allowance. To qualify, you’ll need to make sure you file your income tax return with Revenu Quebec each year. Your eligibility also depends on your residency status in Quebec, as defined by the Taxation Act, and your immigration status.
This financial support is available to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and protected persons. If you’re a temporary resident, you can also apply once you’ve lived in Canada for at least 18 months.
However, it’s important to know that not everyone is eligible. For instance:
- Foster families are excluded from the program.
- Individuals exempt from Quebec taxes cannot qualify.
- Refugee claimants awaiting protected person status remain ineligible until their status is confirmed.
- Parents whose child is married or living in a de facto union where the spouse claimed a transferred tax credit cannot receive benefits.
How Much is Quebec Family Allowance in 2025?
Quebec Family Allowance payments for 2025 range based on family income and structure. The amounts increased by 2.85% from 2024 levels to adjust for the cost of living. (Source)
2025 Quebec Family Allowance Payment Amounts
| Family Type | Annual Income | Annual Amount per Child |
| Two-parent family | $59,000 or less | $3,006 |
| Two-parent family | $250,000 or more | $1,196 |
| Single-parent family | $43,000 or less | $4,061 |
| Single-parent family | $250,000 or more | $1,617 |
That said, payment calculations consider several factors. The number of dependent children under 18 directly affects the total benefit amount.
Retraite Québec reviews and recalculates these benefits every May and updates them every July based on your previous year’s income tax return. It’s important to file your taxes each year, even if you have no income, to ensure your payments continue without interruption.
Additional calculation factors include the exact number of dependent children under 18 residing with the family and specific custody arrangements for each child.
That said, families must report changes in conjugal status, custody arrangements, or household composition to Retraite Québec immediately to ensure accurate payments and avoid overpayments.
What are the School Supplies and Disability Supplements?
Beyond the basic Family Allowance, Quebec provides an annual Supplement for the Purchase of School Supplies as well as Disability Supplements.
Supplement for the Purchase of School Supplies
Every Family Allowance recipient automatically receives $124 per eligible child each July.
This universal supplement requires no additional application and arrives with the July payment.
The amount remains constant regardless of family income or child’s age, providing equal support for all Quebec families’ educational expenses.
Source: Supplement for the Purchase of School Supplies – Retraite Québec
Supplement for Handicapped Children
For families raising a child with a significant disability, there is a separate supplement to help with the added responsibilities and costs. The amount you receive depends on the level of care your child needs.
| Supplement Type | Annual Amount |
| Basic Supplement for Handicapped Children | $2,832 |
| Exceptional Care Supplement – Tier 1 | $14,292 |
| Exceptional Care Supplement – Tier 2 | $9,504 |
To be eligible, your child must have a physical or mental disability that is expected to last for at least a year and significantly limits their ability to perform daily activities.
Applying for this supplement is a detailed process. You’ll need to gather documentation from doctors, specialists, and your child’s school or daycare to provide a full picture of their needs.
This information helps determine whether your child qualifies for the basic supplement or one of the two exceptional care tiers, which are meant for situations requiring more intensive support.
Source: Supplement for Handicapped Children – Retraite Québec
When are Quebec Family Allowance Payments Made?
If you’re receiving the Quebec Family Allowance, you can expect your payments to arrive four times a year. By default, the payments are sent out quarterly on the first business day of January, April, July, and October.
Each of these quarterly payments covers a three-month period. For instance, the payment you receive in early January is for January, February, and March.
However, if you’d prefer to receive your money every month instead of in a lump sum, you can make that change. You’ll just need to fill out the “Change in Frequency of Family Allowance Payments” form and submit it to Retraite Québec.
Here is the 2025 Quebec Family Allowance Payment Schedule:
| Payment Type | Dates |
| Quarterly Payments | January 3, April 1, July 2, October 1 |
| Monthly Payments | First working day of each month, including: January 3 February 3 March 3 April 1 May 1 June 2 July 2 August 1 September 2 October 1 November 3 December 1 |
| School Supplies Supplement | July 2 (annual payment) |
A quick tip: signing up for direct deposit is the best way to get your money. It goes straight into your bank account, so you never have to worry about a cheque getting lost or delayed in the mail. You can easily update your banking information with Retraite Québec if needed.
How to Apply for Quebec Family Allowance?
Most Quebec families receive Family Allowance automatically when registering their child’s birth with the Directeur de l’état civil. However, for some specific situations, manual applications become necessary.
These scenarios include adopted children, children born outside Quebec, families new to Quebec, custody changes affecting payment distribution, and situations where the current recipient should change.
When it comes to applying, you have a couple of choices. The easiest and fastest way is to use your clicSÉQUR account, which is Quebec’s secure online portal. It even helps by pre-filling some of your information.
If both you and your spouse have a Social Insurance Number (SIN), you can do the entire process online. If not, you’ll need to download the paper application, fill it out, and mail it to Retraite Québec.
Required documentation varies by situation but typically includes proof of residency, immigration status documents, custody agreements, and recent tax assessments. Processing times depend on the completeness of the application and whether any information needs extra verification.
Can You Receive Quebec Family Allowance with Shared Custody?
Parents sharing custody between 40% and 60% of the time, both receive Family Allowance payments simultaneously, with amounts proportional to custody time. The shared custody provision ensures both parents receive financial support when actively caring for children.
The system is also flexible. Each parent can choose their preferred payment frequency independently. One parent might receive quarterly payments while the other opts for monthly deposits. Payments continue uninterrupted during custody transitions.
However, there’s a clear threshold. If one parent has the child for less than 40% of the month, they won’t be eligible for the allowance. On the flip side, if a parent has custody for more than 60% of the time, they are considered the primary guardian and will receive the full payment.
Documentation requirements include custody agreements, court orders, or notarized arrangements that confirm the time-sharing percentages.
Retraite Québec requires notification of custody changes through the “I share custody of the child” section on their website. So parents must provide specific monthly custody percentages and effective dates for any changes.
How Does Quebec Family Allowance Differ from the Canada Child Benefit?
Quebec Family Allowance operates separately from the federal Canada Child Benefit, with different administration, payment schedules, and eligibility requirements.
Quebec Family Allowance is administered by Retraite Québec and pays quarterly or monthly on the first working day of designated months.
The Canada Child Benefit, on the other hand, is managed by the Canada Revenue Agency and has deposit payments on the 20th of each month. In the case when the 20th falls on a weekend, CCB payments arrive the preceding Friday.
Eligibility criteria overlap but differ in key areas. Both programs are designed for families with children under 18 and share similar residency requirements. However, Quebec Family Allowance automatically enrolls Quebec-born children through birth registration, while CCB requires paper applications that cannot be submitted online.
Payment calculations use different income thresholds and formulas. Quebec’s program includes built-in supplements for school supplies and disabilities, while federal benefits handle these separately. Families typically receive both benefits, as they complement rather than replace each other.
Why Did My Quebec Family Allowance Stop?
If your Quebec Family Allowance has been suspended, it’s usually for a reason that can be identified and often resolved. Let’s walk through the most common reasons this might happen.
The Most Frequent Reason: Your Tax Returns
The number one cause for a sudden stop in Family Allowance payments is an issue with income tax filings. Retraite Québec requires that you and your spouse or common-law partner both file a Quebec income tax return every year.
To ensure your payments continue without interruption, you must file your returns by the April 30 deadline each year. If you or your spouse misses this deadline, payments will be automatically suspended until Revenu Québec processes your returns.
Your Family Situation Has Changed
Life events can directly impact your Family Allowance. It is crucial to keep Retraite Québec informed about any changes to your family life to ensure you receive the correct amount and to avoid having to repay any overpayments. Payments may be paused or recalculated if:
- You’ve separated or started a new relationship: Your payment amount is based on your family income and conjugal status. If you separate, for the change to be officially recognized for the allowance, you must not have lived with your former spouse for at least 90 days.
- Your custody arrangement has changed: The allowance is calculated based on the amount of time a child lives with you. If custody arrangements change, especially if it moves to or from a shared custody setup, the payment amount will need to be adjusted.
Your Child is Growing Up
The Family Allowance is designed to help with the costs of raising children under 18. As such, the payments will automatically stop the month after your child’s 18th birthday.
Unreported changes in family composition, custody arrangements, or marital status may result in suspensions during review periods. So, it’s always best to inform Retraite Québec of any changes as soon as they happen to avoid interruptions in your payments
If you want to find out child and family benefits in other provinces, take a look at the list below:
- Prince Edward Island Child Benefit
- Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit
- New Brunswick Child Tax Benefit
- Nova Scotia Child Benefit
- British Columbia Family Benefit
The Bottom Line
Quebec Family Allowance operates independently from federal benefits and includes automatic enrollment for Quebec-born children. Families must maintain tax compliance and report situation changes promptly to avoid payment disruptions. By understanding eligibility requirements, payment calculations, and reporting obligations, families can expect to receive their full entitlements while avoiding overpayment complications.
FAQs about Quebec Family Allowance
Is Quebec Family Allowance taxable income?
No, Quebec Family Allowance is not taxable. The payments you receive for Family Allowance, the Supplement for the Purchase of School Supplies, and the Supplement for Handicapped Children are all non-taxable benefits. Retraite Québec does not issue tax slips for these payments since you don't need to report them on your income tax return.
Do foster families qualify for Quebec Family Allowance?
Foster families cannot receive Quebec Family Allowance. The program specifically excludes foster families from eligibility, even though they provide care for children under 18. This exclusion applies because foster families receive separate compensation through other government programs designed specifically for foster care situations.
What happens to Family Allowance if my child gets married?
Family Allowance payments stop if your child under 18 marries or enters a de facto union where their spouse claims a transferred tax credit. This rule applies even if the child continues living with you and remains financially dependent. The payments cease because married children are considered independent for benefit purposes.
Do I need to reapply for Family Allowance each year?
No, you don't need to reapply annually for Family Allowance. Once enrolled, benefits continue automatically as long as you remain eligible and file your annual tax returns. The only requirement is filing your Quebec income tax return each year, which allows Retraite Québec to recalculate your benefit amount based on your current income.
Can temporary foreign workers receive Quebec Family Allowance?
Temporary foreign workers can receive Family Allowance after living in Canada for 18 consecutive months. This waiting period applies to all temporary residents, including those on work permits or study permits. The 18-month countdown begins from their first day in Canada, not Quebec specifically, and they must maintain valid status throughout this period.
Are orphan's pensions connected to Family Allowance?
Yes, children receiving orphan's pensions lose this benefit when Family Allowance stops at age 18. The documents indicate that both Family Allowance and orphan's pensions terminate the month following the child's 18th birthday. This connection means families should plan for the loss of both benefits simultaneously when children approach adulthood.
