May is almost here, and that means a fresh wave of provincial and federal government benefits is heading to bank accounts across Quebec.
From rent relief to child care benefits, there are several ways eligible residents can get financial support this spring. Whether you're trying to keep up with day-to-day costs or just looking to stretch your budget a little further, these payments can help cover the essentials — and maybe a few extras too.
The lineup includes both Quebec-specific programs, like the Solidarity Tax Credit and Family Allowance, as well as federal benefits delivered through the Canada Revenue Agency and Service Canada. And while some payments arrive like clockwork every month, others only show up once a quarter — so it's worth knowing what to expect and when.
Here's your complete rundown of the government payments coming your way in May 2025 — including who qualifies, how much you could receive and when the money is set to arrive.
Family Allowance
The Family Allowance is a provincial benefit that helps Quebec parents cover the everyday costs of raising kids — things like meals, clothing, school supplies and more. The payments come from Retraite Québec and are usually sent out every three months — in January, April, July and October — but families can opt for monthly deposits instead if that suits their needs better, in which case they will receive a payment in May.
Most parents are automatically signed up when a child is born in Quebec, but if you've adopted or recently moved to the province, you might need to apply to start receiving it.
How much you can get: The amount you receive depends on your household income and family situation. For May 2025, if you're on the monthly payment schedule, here's what you can expect:
- Base amount: Between $99.67 and $250.50 per child
- Single-parent supplement: An additional $35.08 to $87.92
- Disability supplement: Between $236 and $1,663 for children with disabilities
If you receive your Family Allowance every quarter, your next payment won't come until July. You can switch to monthly payments by submitting a request through Retraite Québec.
Next payment date: May 1, 2025 (monthly cadence)
Solidarity Tax Credit
The Solidarity Tax Credit gives low- and middle-income Quebecers a bit of financial relief to help with everyday expenses — especially when it comes to housing, Quebec sales tax (QST) and the higher cost of living in northern regions. It's a refundable credit, which means you can get it even if you don't owe any income tax.
Your eligibility and payment amount are based on your household income and family setup as of December 31 of the previous year. Living in a northern village or paying rent can also impact how much you receive. For the 2025 benefit year, income limits range from $63,259 for individuals to $68,992 for couples — with an extra $2,584 added for each dependent child.
How much you can get: The credit has three parts — one for housing, one for QST and one for those living in northern communities. The total you receive from each credit depends on your income, where you live and your living arrangements. Revenu Québec offers an online Solidarity Tax Credit Payments Estimator if you want a personalized estimate.
Payment timing depends on how much you're eligible for overall:
- If your total is $240 or less, you'll get it as a lump sum in July.
- If it's between $241 and $799, you'll receive it in four parts — July, October, January and April.
- If it's $800 or more, expect monthly payments throughout the year.
Next payment date: May 5, 2025 (monthly cadence)
Shelter Allowance
The Shelter Allowance Program offers monthly support to low-income Quebecers who are spending a large portion of their income on housing. It's meant to help ease the burden of rent, mortgage payments or room and board — no matter what kind of living arrangement you're in. Whether you're renting, own your home or live in a shared space, this benefit could help cover part of your housing costs.
The amount you receive is based on your income, your household setup and how much you're currently spending on housing each month.
How much you can get: For the current payment cycle (October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025), the maximum monthly payment is $170. If you're approved anytime during that period, your first payment will include any retroactive amount you're owed since October — so you won't lose out on the months before your application was processed.
Next payment date: Within the first five days of May 2025
Public sector pension plans (RREGOP, RRPE, etc.)
Retired public sector workers in Quebec who are part of plans like RREGOP or RRPE receive monthly pension payments that are steady and predictable. These payments are deposited on the 15th of each month — unless that day falls on a weekend or holiday, in which case the money arrives on the closest business day before.
If you're still receiving your pension by mail instead of direct deposit, you're covered too. Cheques are sent out at least two days ahead of the scheduled date to make sure they reach you on time.
Next payment date: May 15, 2025
Canada Child Benefit
The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a monthly payment that helps families across the country with the costs of raising children. It's tax-free and delivered by the CRA, giving parents and guardians a bit of financial help to cover everyday essentials like food, school supplies and kids' activities. There's also extra support available for children who qualify for the Disability Tax Credit.
To be eligible, you need to live in Canada and be primarily responsible for the care of a child under 18. You must also be a Canadian resident for tax purposes, and either you or your partner needs to be a citizen, permanent resident, protected person or hold another eligible status.
How much you can get: Your monthly payment is based on your income, how many kids you have and their ages. For the monthly payment in May 2025, families can receive:
- Up to $648.91 for each child under 6
- Up to $547.50 for each child aged 6 to 17
If your child qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit, you could also get up to $276.83 more per month from the Child Disability Benefit. That amount is included with your regular CCB payment.
Next payment date: May 20, 2025
Old Age Security
Old Age Security (OAS) is a monthly pension that helps support Canadians aged 65 and over. It's a federal benefit that isn't tied to your job history — so even if you never worked a traditional job or are still working past retirement age, you could still qualify based on your age and how long you've lived in Canada.
To be eligible, you must be 65 or older and have lived in Canada for at least 10 years after turning 18. If you now live outside the country, the requirement jumps to 20 years. Most people are enrolled automatically, but if you're approaching 65 and haven't heard from Service Canada, it's a good idea to check if you need to apply.
There are also top-up programs for low-income seniors, like the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) and the Allowance. GIS is for OAS recipients with a lower income, while the Allowance supports spouses or widows aged 60 to 64 who meet income and residency requirements.
How much you can get: Monthly payments vary based on your age, income and relationship status. Here are the maximum monthly payments you can get in May 2025:
- OAS: $727.67 per month if you're 65 to 74, and $800.44 if you're 75 or older
- GIS: Up to $1,086.88 for single seniors or those whose partner doesn't receive OAS; $654.23 if your partner also gets OAS or an Allowance
- Allowance: $1,381.90 if your partner gets OAS and GIS; $1,647.34 if you're a widow
These payments are reviewed every three months to reflect inflation. No changes were made for the April to June 2025 quarter.
Next payment date: May 28, 2025
Veteran Disability Pension
The Veteran Disability Pension is a monthly benefit from Veterans Affairs Canada that provides lifelong financial support to Canadian veterans living with a service-related disability. It recognizes the long-term impact of injuries or illnesses that happened during military duty and helps cover the extra costs that can come with them.
This pension is available to a wide group of people — including Canadian Armed Forces veterans, those who served in the Second World War or Korean War, some RCMP members and even certain civilians who supported Canada's efforts during the Second World War. To qualify, you need a medical diagnosis that clearly connects to your time in service. If you're approved, payments are made for life, and additional support may be added if you have a spouse or children.
How much you can get: The monthly amount depends on the severity of your disability. Veterans with the most severe rating (Class 1) can receive up to $3,444.59 per month. If you have dependants, you may also qualify for extra funds, with the total varying based on your family setup and disability.
Next payment date: May 29, 2025
Quebec Pension Plan
The Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) provides a steady monthly income to people who contributed to the plan while working in Quebec. It's a retirement benefit similar to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), but it's run by Retraite Québec and specifically designed for residents of the province. If you've worked both in Quebec and elsewhere in Canada, your contributions to the QPP and CPP are combined when calculating your retirement payout — so you won't lose out.
The QPP is meant to provide long-term financial support during retirement. You can start receiving payments as early as age 60, but waiting a few years means a higher monthly amount. Once you start collecting, the pension is paid for life.
How much you can get: Your monthly pension depends on your age when you start collecting, how much you contributed and your total income history. For someone beginning to collect in 2025:
- Starting at age 65: Up to $1,433 per month (average is about $717)
- Starting early at 60: The maximum drops to $917 per month (average is $480)
- Waiting until 72: Your payment could increase to as much as $2,276 per month (average around $1,138)
Next payment date: May 30, 2025
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