Published
Decrease in the Eligibility Age for the Shelter Allowance Program
The government will lower the eligibility age for the shelter allowance program from 55 to 50 for persons living alone and couples without children. For couples without children to benefit from the program, at least one spouse must be of eligible age. The eligibility age will be lowered gradually over five years, one year at a time, as of October 1, 2011, at the time of the annual re-evaluation of the allowance.
| Application date | Eligibility age |
|---|---|
| October 1, 2011 | 54 years old |
| October 1, 2012 | 53 years old |
| October 1, 2013 | 52 years old |
| October 1, 2014 | 51 years old |
| October 1, 2015 | 50 years old |
For more information, refer to the 2011-2012 Budget Plan (page E.114) of the Ministère des Finances.