You may be eligible for the shelter allowance program for the period from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, if you meet all the requirements.

Questionnaire

To find out if you are entitled to the shelter allowance, you can complete a brief questionnaire. It will only take a few minutes to complete.

If you have a spouse but you do not live together, choose individual or one of the single-parent family options.

• Individual 50 or Over Living Alone
• Couple With no Dependent Children in Which at Least One Person Is Aged 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 apply, you are not entitled to the shelter allowance.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for the shelter allowance if you meet all the following conditions:

• You live in Québec.
• You are not exempt from income tax for 2023.
• When you apply (or on October 1, 2024, if you apply before that date), you or your spouse (if you have one) 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, 2025.
• If you were living in Québec on December 31, 2023, you and your spouse (if you have one) filed a Québec income tax return for 2023. If not, you must complete one and attach it to your application.
• On December 31, 2023, the total value of your (and your spouse's, if you have one) bank accounts, tax-free savings accounts (TFSAs) and investments did not exceed $50,000. First home savings accounts (FHSAs) and registered plans (RRSP, RDSP, LIRA, RRIF, etc.) are not included in the $50,000.
• Your 2023 family income is less than the maximum for the shelter allowance, based on your family situation (see table below).
• Your annual housing cost is equal to or greater than 30% of your 2023 family income.

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	$24,440
Couple with no dependent children in which at least one person is aged 50 or over	$33,540
Couple with one dependent child	$40,740
Single-parent family with one or two dependent children	$40,740
Couple with two or more dependent children	$46,640
Single-parent family with three or more dependent children	$46,640
Note 1For individuals, couples and families who spend 80% or more of their family income on housing.

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.