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BetterWorld In depth · Social assistance

Social assistance in Quebec, explained simply

Everything you need to know, gathered in one place: the programs, who qualifies, the real 2026 amounts, how to apply, your rights and what to do if you are refused. In plain language, with verified figures.

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The full guide

Programs, eligibility and 2026 amounts

The four programs explained, who qualifies, the assets you may keep and the real amounts by situation. The starting point.

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The application, step by step

Applying Applying, step by step The 5 official steps, the forms, the documents to prepare and the time limits. Read the article → Work and income Working while on assistance How much you can earn without losing your benefit, with a worked example. Read the article → Your rights Your rights and special benefits Medication, glasses, dental care and the right to bring someone with you. Read the article → Appeals Refused or cut off? Challenging a decision Review time limits, the Tribunal administratif and free legal aid. Read the article →

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Human help near you, and a way to keep up when the rules change.

Find help near youOur directory of resources by region Get an alertWhen the amounts or the rules change Need help right now?Eat, sleep or talk to someone tonight

Important notice. This dossier is a general information document. It does not replace legal, financial or professional advice, nor official services. BetterWorld is not affiliated with the Government of Quebec. Amounts and rules are indexed every year: always confirm the current information on Québec.ca. Information verified on 5 July 2026.

Spotted an error or an out-of-date figure? Write to us: we will correct it and re-date the article. Our texts are written with the help of artificial intelligence and checked against official sources before publication, but an amount or a rule can change without us catching it. If anything here does not match what an official body tells you, they are right.