Are You Eligible for the Shelter Allowance?
You may be eligible for the shelter allowance program if you meet all these requirements:
- You live in Québec.
- You are not exempt from income tax for 2022.
- When you apply (or on October 1, 2023, if you apply before that date), you or your spouse are in one of these situations:
- You own the dwelling you live in.
- You rent an eligible dwelling (room, apartment or house).
- You live with a person you pay rent to.
- You or your spouse (if you have one) has at least one dependent child or will be 50 or over by September 30, 2024.
- If you live in Québec , you and your spouse (if you have one) filed a Québec income tax return 2022. If not, you must complete one and attach it to your application.
- On December 31, 2022, the total value of your bank accounts, tax-free savings accounts (TFSAs) and investments other than registered plans (RRSP, RDSP, LIRA, RRIF, etc.) and those of your spouse (if you have one) did not exceed $50,000.
- Your 2022 family income is less than the maximum income for the shelter allowance, based on your family situation (see table below).
Family situation |
Maximum family income1For individuals, couples and families that spend 80% or more of their family income on housing. |
---|---|
Individual 50 or over living alone |
$23,540 |
Couple with no dependent children in which at least one person is aged 50 or over |
$32,340 |
Couple with one dependent child |
$39,240 |
Single-parent family with one or two dependent children |
$39,240 |
Couple with two or more dependent children |
$44,940 |
Single-parent family with three or more dependent children |
$44,940 |
|
If your family income is equal to or greater than the maximum shown in the table, you are not eligible for the shelter allowance. If it is less than the maximum, send us an application and we will determine your eligibility.
If you meet all of the requirements, we will calculate your annual housing cost based on the information given in your application. The cost must be equal to or greater than 30% of your 2022 family income.
Questionnaire
To find out if you are entitled to the shelter allowance for October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024, please complete a brief questionnaire.
Shelter allowance program questionnaire
Select your family situation to go to the right questionnaire for you.
- Single Person 50 or Over
- Couple With no Dependent Children in Which at Least One Person Is 50 or Over
- Couple With One Dependent Child
- Couple With Two or More Dependent Children
- Single-Parent Family With One or Two Dependent Children
- Single-Parent Family With Three or More Dependent Children
If none of the situations above applies, you are not entitled to the shelter allowance.