The Quebec Child Assistance measure

This measure, introduced by the Quebec Government to financially assist families and administered by the Régie des rentes du Québec, is available to all families with dependent children under age 18 living with them.

The Child Assistance measure includes the child assistance payment and the supplement for children with disabilities.

La Régie des rentes du Québec administre le Soutien aux enfants, une aide financière qui s’adresse à toutes les familles ayant des enfants à charge de moins de 18 ans qui résident avec elles. Le Soutien aux enfants comprend deux volets : le paiement de Soutien aux enfants et le supplément pour enfant handicapé.

Eligibility for Child Assistance

To be eligible for child assistance payments, all the following conditions must be met:

  • You (either you or your spouse) are responsible for the care and education of at least one dependent child under age 18.

  • That child lives with you.

  • You live in Quebec.

  • You or your spouse must be one of the following:

  • a Canadian citizen

  • a protected person*  

  • a permanent resident*

  • a temporary resident who has lived in Canada for at least 18 months*.

* Pursuant to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (S.C. 2001, c.27)

Application for Child Assistance

The parent of a child born in Quebec is not required to fill out an application to receive child assistance payments from the Régie. When a parent declares a child’s birth to the Quebec Registrar’s office, that parent will be automatically registered for child assistance payments.

However, in the case of adoption, obtaining child custody or shared custody, or a new resident arriving in Quebec, an application must be submitted to the Régie. You may apply on line or simply download the Canada Child Tax Benefit form from the Régie’s Web site at www.rrq.gouv.qc.ca/en/enfants. This form is also available at all our customer service centres.

Payment Calculation

The amount of the child assistance payment is calculated by the Régie based on the following four criteria:

  • number of dependent children under age 18 who live with the beneficiary

  • number of dependent children in shared custody

  • family income

  • family situation (with or without a spouse)

Please note that the Calcul@ide tool that you’ll find on the Régie’s Web site and on the Ministère de la Famille et des Aînés’ Web site allows you to find out the amount you could receive based on your family situation. That amount is indexed every year in January.

To continue receiving the child assistance payments, both spouses, if applicable, must file a Quebec income tax return every year, even if one of them has no income to declare. Revenu Québec will forward information relating to family income and situation as at December 31 of the reference year to the Régie.

Child Assistance payments

Child Assistance amounts are paid four times a year. Payments are made on the first business day of the four quarters of the year: January, April, July and October. You may, however, receive your payments on a monthly basis by making this request to the Régie either with the on-line service or by telephoning their offices.

Shared custody

For families with shared custody, please note that:

  • The Child Assistance payment is made to both parents at the same time, according to the frequency chosen by each parent (quarterly or monthly).

  • A parent who does not receive Child Assistance payments must apply to the Régie to become a beneficiary.

  • Shared custody for each parent must be at least 40% of the time on a monthly basis.

  • The Child Assistance amount is equal to one-half of the amount that would have been paid to the parent if the child had not been in a situation of shared custody.

Under the Taxation Act, the Régie cannot take into account any financial agreement concluded between the two parents with regard to the Child Assistance payment (e.g. an agreement confirmed or not by a Court judgment, mediation report, and so on).

Supplement for children with disabilities

The supplement for children with disabilities is payable to the parents of children with a physical or mental handicap severely limiting their daily activities for a foreseeable period of at least one year.

In 2010, the amount payable is $172 for all, regardless of the child’s disability or the family’s income. It is indexed each year and is not taxable.

For information on eligibility or on how to apply, parents can go to the section entitled “Children” on the Régie’s Web site.

Additional Information

Quebec City: 418-643-3381

Montreal: 514-864-3873

Elsewhere in Quebec (toll-free): 1-800-667-9625

Teletype (TTY):

Service for the deaf and hearing impaired

Toll-free: 1-800-603-3540

Fermer