Quebec Family Allowance: Rates & Eligibility 2025 – 2026

The Family Allowance (Allocation famille) is a child benefit program provided by the Government of Québec that is related to the federal Canada Child Benefit. This guide provides a comprehensive, up-to-date overview of the program based on official 2025 data, including eligibility, payment amounts, how to apply, and its relationship with the federal Canada Child Benefit (CCB).

Quebec Family Allowance at a Glance (2025)

Program Name	Family Allowance (Allocation famille)
Administered By	Retraite Québec
Benefit Type	Tax-free monthly or quarterly payment
Maximum Annual Benefit	$3,006 per child (plus supplements)
Minimum Annual Benefit	$1,196 per child
Key Eligibility	Resident of Québec with a dependent child under 18

The Family Allowance Quebec program has been an important part of Quebec’s social support system since its inception in 1988. The program provides financial support for eligible families with the costs of raising children under 18. While the Canada Child Benefit is administered nationally by the Canada Revenue Agency, Family Allowance Quebec is administered by Retraite Québec on behalf of the provincial Ministry of Families.

Who is Eligible for Quebec Family Allowance?

To receive Family Allowance payments in Quebec, families must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• You must live in Quebec with the child for whom you are applying.
• You are responsible for the care and education of a child under age 18.
• You or your spouse must have one of the following statuses
  • A Canadian citizen
  • A permanent resident
  • A protected person (refugee)
  • A temporary resident who has been living in Canada for at least 18 months

Annual tax filing is mandatory: You and your spouse (if applicable) must file a Québec income tax return every year, even with zero income. Retraite Québec uses this information to calculate your entitlement for the July-to-June period. Failure to file will result in suspended payments.

Some exceptions apply. Family Allowance will not be paid if:

• The child is in foster care
• The parent or guardian is exempt from Quebec income tax
• The parent or guardian is a refugee claimant and does not have protected person status yet
• The child is married or in a common-law relationship, and their spouse receives the Family Allowance

Overall, the program aims to provide financial assistance to all eligible families caring for children under 18 in Quebec.

How Much is Quebec Family Allowance?

The amount you receive depends on your family income, number of children, and whether you are in a single-parent or two-parent family. The benefit is highest for lower-income families and gradually decreases as income rises.

Family Type & Income	Annual Amount Per Child
Two-parent family with income of $59,000 or less	$3,006 (Maximum)
Two-parent family with income of $250,000 or more	$1,196 (Minimum)
Single-parent family with income of $43,000 or less	$4,061 (Maximum)
Single-parent family with income of $250,000 or more	$1,617 (Minimum)

The benefit reduces gradually between the minimum and maximum income thresholds. For a precise estimate, use the official calculator.

Additional Supplements

The Family Allowance program also includes the following non-taxable benefits:

Supplement for the Purchase of School Supplies

This is a fixed annual amount of $124 per eligible child, paid once in July.

Supplement for Handicapped Children

It is an annual amount of $2,832 ($236/month) for a child with a severe and prolonged impairment. This supplement provides extra assistance for parents of children who have:

• Physical impairments
• Mental function disabilities
• Severe and prolonged limitations in performing regular activities of daily living

To receive it, parents must submit an application with supporting medical documents confirming the child’s disability.

Supplement for Handicapped Children Requiring Exceptional Care

For children with very severe disabilities requiring round-the-clock specialized care, an additional monthly supplement may be paid out:

• Children requiring constant supervision and the presence of a caregiver nearby at all times, based on medical recommendations
• Children needing substantial medical care and interventions daily due to their condition

Two payment tiers based on the severity of the child’s condition and the extent of care required:

• Tier 1: $14,292 per year ($1,191/month)
• Tier 2: $9,504 per year ($792/month)

Parents must provide comprehensive medical documentation to demonstrate that the child has a qualifying exceptional condition and care needs.

Source: Retraite Québec, Family Allowance 2025 amounts.

Payment Dates and Methods

By default, Family Allowance is paid four times a year: in January, April, July, and October. However, you can file a “Change in Frequency of Family Allowance Payments” form to receive payments on the first working day of each month.

Signing up for direct deposit via My Account is the most secure and reliable way to receive your payments.

Calculation Example:

To give you a better idea, let’s take a look at some examples below:

Maria and John have 3 children and are married.

• If their annual family income is $59,000 or less:
  • Maximum total benefit payment received: $8,769 per year
• If their income is $120,000:
  • Total benefit payment received: $6,282 per year (reduced based on income bracket)
• If their income exceeds $190,000:
  • Minimum total benefit payment received: $3,489 per year

Juan is a single father with 3 children.

• If his annual family income is $43,000 or less:
  • Maximum total benefit payment received: $9,795 per year (equal to max $8,769 plus $1026)
• If his income is $60,000:
  • Total benefit payment received: $9,080 per year (based on income bracket)
• If their income exceeds $190,000:
  • Minimum total benefit payment received: $3,898 per year (equal to min $3,489 plus $409)

The payment ranges aim to provide financial assistance proportional to each family’s needs and means.

How to Apply for Family Allowance Quebec

Applying for Family Allowance is straightforward, especially for new parents.

• Automatic for newborns – When a child is born in Quebec, no application is required. Their birth registration with the Directeur de l’état Civil automatically enrolls them.
• Application required in other cases – Parents and guardians must complete an application if:
  • The child is adopted
  • The family immigrated to or became residents of Quebec
  • The child arrived from out of province
  • The parent obtained custody or shared custody
  • Asked by Retraite Québec to apply
• Retroactive payments – If eligible, families can receive payments retroactively up to 11 months from their application date.
• Online application – The application can be completed and submitted digitally through Retraite Quebec’s website.

As long as basic eligibility criteria are met, families with children under 18 in Quebec can begin receiving Family Allowance relatively easily.

Reporting Changes in Family Situation to Retraite Québec

Recipients of Family Allowance in Quebec must promptly report any changes in their family situation to Retraite Québec. This ensures payment amounts accurately reflect their current circumstances.

Common changes that must be reported include:

• A change of address in Quebec
• The birth or adoption of a new child
• A change in marital status or separation
• A spouse or ex-spouse leaving Canada
• A change in custody arrangements for a child
• A child turning 18 years old
• A child no longer living with the recipient parent
• A recipient beginning school outside Quebec
• A change in income

Most changes can be reported online through Retraite Québec’s website. Some may require supporting documents.

When a change reduces the amount a recipient qualifies for, Retraite Québec will recover any overpayments. Failure to report changes can lead to penalties, suspended payments, and the requirement to repay excess amounts received.

By reporting changes on time, recipients avoid repayment obligations and ensure accurate Family Allowance amounts tailored to their current family situation.

Other Provincial and Territorial Child Benefits Programs

In addition to the Family Allowance Quebec, there are child benefits programs in other provinces and territories as well:

• Manitoba Child Benefit
• Ontario Child Benefit
• New Brunswick Child Benefit

Summary

In summary, all Quebec families with children who meet basic eligibility criteria should apply to receive tax-free support from the Family Allowance Program. The application process is straightforward, especially when a child is born in Quebec. Family Allowance plays an important role in Quebec’s social support system by helping parents and guardians defray the costs of raising the province’s next generation.

FAQs on Family Allowance Quebec