Quebec residents can receive payments from these government benefits and credits in September
As September fast approaches, so does a new wave of government benefits and credits being issued by Revenu Quebec and the Canada Revenue Agency.
With inflation on the rise and the cost of living in Quebec climbing, many residents, especially low-income families, are on the lookout for additional income opportunities, whether through work or financial aid programs provided by the Canadian and Quebec governments.
Among the benefits and credits set for distribution in September are the Canada Child Benefit, Quebec Pension Plan, and Quebec public-sector pensions. It's crucial to check your eligibility for these benefits and credits, as you might be entitled to substantial amounts.
Here's everything you need to know:
Quebec Pension Plan
The Québec Pension Plan (QPP) is a mandatory public insurance plan for workers aged 18 and over with annual employment income exceeding $3500, providing financial protection in retirement, death, or disability, per Retraite Quebec.
Since 2019, the QPP has included a base plan and an additional plan, raising the income replacement rate from 25% to 33.33% and increasing the maximum pensionable salary to 114% of the maximum pensionable earnings by 2025. The Canada Pension Plan serves as its equivalent in the rest of Canada.
Payment Date: September 27
Canada Pension Plan
According to the Canada Revenue Agency, the Canada Pension Plan is a monthly, taxable benefit that replaces part of your income when you retire. If you qualify, you’ll receive the CPP retirement pension for the rest of your life.
For 2024, the maximum monthly amount you could receive if you start your pension at age 65 is $1,364.60. The average monthly amount paid for a new retirement pension (at age 65) in April 2024 was $816.52. Your situation will determine how much you’ll receive up to the maximum.
Payment Date: September 25
Family Allowance
According to Revenu Quebec, the Family Allowance payment provides financial aid to all eligible families with one or more dependent children under the age of 18 living with them.
In the case of birth in Quebec, parents do not need to apply for this benefit. The child is automatically signed up for the Family Allowance measure when the birth is declared to the Director de l'état civil.
In some cases, a person must apply for Family Allowance if the child is:
- a child is adopted;
- the individual is an immigrant or becomes a resident of Québec;
- a child arrives in or returns to Québec;
- the individual lives in Québec but a child was born outside Québec;
- the individual obtains custody of a child;
- the individual shares custody of a child;
- the individual retains custody of a child following a separation and he or she is not already receiving Family Allowance payments in his or her name;
- Retraite Québec requires an application to be filed.
The maximum amount a family can receive for each child is $2,923 with an additional $1,026 if you are a single-parent family. The minimum amount you can receive for each child is $1,163 with an additional $409 if you are a single-parent family.
Payment Date: September 3 (monthly payments only)
Public-sector Pension Plans (RREGOP, PPMP)
The Government and Public Employees Retirement Plan (RREGOP), mandates contributions from regular and casual, full-time and part-time employees in the education, public service, and health and social services sectors until they accrue a maximum of 40 years of credited service or until December 30 of the year they turn 69.
The plan uses years of service for both pension calculation and eligibility, with full-time work throughout the year equating to a full year of credited service, and part-time work calculated proportionally.
In 2024, the contribution rate is 9.39%, with contributions required on pensionable salaries exceeding certain thresholds based on the maximum pensionable earnings (MPE) and adjusted for credited or harmonized service.
Payment Date: September 13
Canada Child Benefit
The Canada Child Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help with the cost of raising children under 18 years of age, per the CRA. The CCB may include the child disability benefit and related provincial and territorial programs.
The following amounts are for the payment period from July 2024 to June 2025 and are based on your Adjusted Family Net Income (AFNI) from 2023.
If your AFNI is under $36,502, you will receive the maximum Canada Child Benefit for each child, without any reduction.
For each child under 6 years of age, the maximum amount is $7,787 per year ($648.91 per month). For each child aged 6 to 17, the maximum is $6,570 per year ($547.50 per month).
Payment Date: September 20
Old Age Security
The Old Age Security pension is a monthly benefit available to individuals aged 65 and older, per the CRA.
In many cases, Service Canada can automatically enroll you for the OAS pension if they have enough information. You will be notified by Service Canada if you are automatically enrolled.
If you do not receive a notification about the OAS pension the month after you turn 64, you may need to apply for it.
From July to September 2024, the Old Age Security (OAS) pension provides a maximum monthly payment of $718.33 for those aged 65 to 74, provided their annual net world income in 2023 is less than $142,609. For those aged 75 and over, the maximum monthly payment is $790.16, with an annual net world income limit of $148,179.
Payment Date: September 25
Veteran Disability
A disability benefit is a tax-free financial payment that supports your well-being, based on the degree of service-relatedness and severity of your condition. To qualify, you must be a Canadian Armed Forces member or Veteran, a current or former RCMP member, a Second World War or Korean War Veteran (including Merchant Navy), or a civilian who served in the Second World War.
You should apply if you have a diagnosed medical condition or disability related to your service. If eligible, you will receive either Pain and Suffering Compensation, a lifetime monthly benefit or lump sum, or a Disability Pension, a lifetime monthly benefit with increased amounts for dependents, as indicated by the CRA.
Payment Date: September 26
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
