So, how does the government define "single"? Well, you could actually be in a long-term romantic relationship and still be considered single in the eyes of the law. If you're not legally married and you don't live with your partner (meaning you're not in a common law relationship), you would still retain "single" status, according to the government. Although, the same doesn't apply to those who are separated, widowed or divorced.
It's worthwhile to check to see if you're eligible for these budget-saving programs for which single Quebecers and single Canadians qualify. You can do so via Revenu Québec's My Account for Individuals and CRA's My Account for Individuals portals.
Solidarity Tax Credit
This refundable tax credit from the Quebec government is designed to help all low- and middle-income earners. It can give you as much as $800 (or in some situations more), spread out in multiple payments across 2023 and 2024.
The credit is made of three components: a housing component to offset the cost of rent, another to offset the provincial sales tax (TVQ, or QST in English) and one for individuals living in northern villages. You might not qualify for all three components, but you can still claim the credit so long as you qualify for at least one.
Single people who earned less than $61,500 as of December 31, 2023 are eligible for the current pay period.
For single-parent families, the maximum basic salary must also be less than $61,500; however, you are allowed to have earned an additional $2,517 per dependent child.
Amount: Up to $101.75 per month based on 2023 income
Next payment date: August 5, 2024
Website explaining the Solidarity Tax Credit
Shelter Allowance Program
This Quebec program is designed for low-income individuals (and families) "who spend too much of their budget on housing." You can benefit from this program if you are a tenant, a lodger or even an owner.
To be eligible, you must be aged 50 or over, or have at least one dependent child.
For the October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024 period, single people aged 50+ must have had an income of less than $21,500, while single-parent families with one or two children must have not exceeded $37,200. The number increases to $42,900 for single parents of three or more children.
These maximums have since gone up for those applying on or after October 1, 2024 to $24,440 for individuals 50 and older, $40,740 for single parents of one to two dependent children and $46,640 for single parents of three or more dependent children.
Amount: $100, $150 or $170 per month, depending on your financial situation
Next payment date: Within the first five days of August
Website explaining the Shelter Allowance Program
Canada Dental Benefit
Since June 27, 2024, parents of children aged 18 and under and people with disabilities aged 18 to 64 have had access to the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). It's also been available to people aged 72 and up for even longer.
The benefit is designed to help reduce the cost of dental care for eligible families with incomes under $90,000 per year.
For dental care between October 1, 2022 and June 30, 2024, the interim Canada Dental Benefit offered tax-free payments of $260, $390, or $650 for each eligible child, depending on your adjusted family net income.
Now, the program works a bit differently and anyone applying for dental work that took place as of July 2023 will instead be reimbursed based on a percentage of the cost of care and your adjusted family net income.
Amount: A portion of the cost of treatment, adjusted for income and and CDCP fees
Next payment date: Depends on the date the application is submitted and processing times
Website explaining the Canadian Dental Benefit
Work Premium Tax Credits
This Quebec credit is designed to encourage people to join or stay in the job market.
To qualify, a person who lives alone or a person who's a single-parent must have an income over $2,400 but less than $22,794.72 or $40,168, respectively. Single full-time students are not eligible, unless they have a dependent child.
For the 2023 tax year, a single person living alone can benefit from a maximum annual work premium of $1,095.27, while a single parent should receive up to $2,832.60 for the same period. These figures have gone up to $1,152.34 and $2,980.20 in 2024.
Amount: Up to $248.35 per month
Next payment date: By August 15, 2024 (when receiving advance payments, upon request)
Website explaining the Work Premium Tax Credits
Canada Child Benefit
This federal benefit is designed to provide assistance to all families, including single-parent families, to help with the financial impact of raising children, offsetting the cost of things like education.
An eligible parent must live with a child who is under 18 years of age, and must assume primary responsibility for the care and upbringing of the child.
For the current payment period, if your adjusted family net income from 2023 is under $36,502, you may be able to claim the maximum amount for each child:
- A child under 6 years of age: $7,787 per year ($648.91 per month);
- A young person between the ages of six and 17: $6,570 per year ($547.50 per month).
Amount: Up to $648.91 per month based on your income in 2023
Next payment date: August 20, 2024
Website explaining the Canada Child Benefit
Family Allowance
You're automatically registered for the Family Allowance as soon as a child is born into your household, and the birth is declared to the Directeur de l'état civil. However, if you've adopted a child or immigrated to Quebec, you'll need to file an application.
All families — including single-parent families — are eligible for this non-taxable allowance if they have one or more dependent children under the age of 18 living with them.
The amount of the Family Allowance varies for each family, depending on their income and family situation (the number of dependent children, whether it's a single-parent or two-parent household and so on).
Each year, the amount of the payment is indexed in January and recalculated in July. For 2024, this benefit was indexed at 5.08%, bringing the maximum annual amount from $2,782 to $2,923 per child — an increase of $141. Plus, you can add another $1,026 if you're a single-parent family.
Amount: Varies according to household-specific criteria
Next payment date: August 1, 2024 for those receiving monthly payments; however, those on the quarterly payments plan get their allowance four times a year: January, April, July and October.
Website explaining the family allowance
This story was adapted from the article "Voici 6 prestations et crédits que les célibataires peuvent recevoir en août au Québec," which was originally published on Narcity Quebec by Josianne Desjardins.
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
