After you apply – approved or denied

Congratulations! You have been approved to receive benefits under the Social Solidarity Program. You will receive a notice of decision by mail within five business days of receipt of all the documents they need to assess your application.

The notice will tell you how much benefit you will receive. You can view the notice of decision on your online file.

Your payments will be made by direct deposit into your bank account or mailed to you by cheque each month. To find out the dates payments are made you can check Benefit payment dates for the current year. You can see the date of your next benefit payment in your online file.

The Basic Income Program

Once you are approved for the Social Solidarity Program, you will be assessed whether you will receive the benefits under the Basic Income Program. You do not need to apply. If you are approved, a few weeks prior to receiving the first payment under the Basic Income Program, you will be notified of your admission to the Program.

Benefit amounts and payment dates

You can view the payment dates at Benefit payment dates for the current year. You can view the amount and date of your next benefit payments in your online file.

I want to receive my payments by direct deposit into my bank account

To register to have your benefit payments sent directly into your bank account, you can download the Direct Deposit Registration Form (SR-2301-01A) (PDF 459 Kb) online or pick one up at a Services Québec office, complete the form and mail it or drop it off in person at a Services Québec office or a CLE.

Include a blank cheque marked ‟Void” or a bank statement from your financial institution and check the ‟Registration” box on the form. If you are already registered for direct deposit and wish to change your banking information, check the ‟Change of account” box.

I need free help to file my income tax return

If you have a modest income and a simple tax situation, a volunteer will help you complete your income tax returns and claim all the benefits and tax credits you are entitled to get. To see the list of income tax return preparation sessions scheduled in Québec, click List of Income Tax Return Preparation Sessions.

I need update my family or financial situation

If your family or financial situation changes, you must inform the Social Solidarity Program as the change occurs (examples: birth, separation, start of employment, change of address, etc.). You can make updates at Change in your situation. A change may result in an increase or decrease in your benefit, or just make your file updated.

There are three ways you can update your information:

Call the Centre de communication avec la clientèle (CCC)

You can call the Centre de communication avec la clientèle (CCC) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, at 514 873-4000 (Montreal and surrounding area) or 1 877 767-8773 toll-free (elsewhere in Quebec) to update your information.

Going to a Services Québec office

Find the contact information for a Services Québec office, consult the Locator—Services Québec offices.

Fill out the Declaration of Change form

The Statement of change form (SR-2601A) (PDF 709 Kb) allows you to report a change in your situation. The form must be printed, completed, and submitted in person mailed or faxed to your Services Québec office.

You can report any change in your situation using your online file.

You will receive a notice of decision by mail within five business days of receipt of all the documents they need to assess your application. If your application is refused, the notice will tell you the reasons for the refusal.

Requesting a Review

You can view a notice of decision in your online file.

If you disagree with a decision that was made about your application for the Social Solidarity Program, you may submit an Application for Review (0023A) (PDF 553 Kb).

You have 90 days as of the date you receive a notice of decision to file an application for review. Your application will be refused if you file it after the 90-day deadline, unless you can show that you were unable to file it earlier for a valid reason or because of an unforeseeable event beyond your control.

If you need help completing your application for review, the personnel of the Ministère du Travail, de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale has a duty to help you.

Steps in processing your review

The decision on your application can be changed without delay if the Services Québec staff deems the refusal decision was not correct. If the situation cannot be settled by the Services Québec office, your application for review will be studied by the Bureau de révision, which will make the decision.

If your application for review is related to your capacity for employment based on health reasons, you may be meeting (generally by telephone interview) to:

• In the case of a severely limited capacity for employment – the committee will be made up of a physician and socio-professional specialist.
• In the case of temporarily limited capacity for employment – you will meet with a physician.

The committee or physician will assess your condition and your resulting limitations and make a decision.

Who to contact for more information on the review process

For questions and for more information, you can contact the person at the Services Québec office who is in charge of your file. You can also contact the Centre de communication avec la clientèle at the Ministère du Travail, de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale at 1-877-767-8773 and at www.mtess.gouv.qc.ca (click ‘Client services’ and then ‘Application for review or administrative recourse’).

Can I have someone help me in the review process?

You can have a person of your choice or someone from an organization help you. You can even be represented by a lawyer if you prefer. If you want the reviewers to contact the person who you have chosen to assist you, indicate that in section 5 of the form.

How will I be informed about the decision made from the review?

You will receive a copy of the decision in the mail and if you have a lawyer or another person who assisted you, they will also get a copy of the decision. The Services Québec department will be notified of the decision, and they will pay you if that is the decision.

If I do not agree with the review decision, can I appeal it?

You have 60 days to file an appeal with the Tribunal administratif du Québec (TAQ). If the Bureau de revision does not give you a decision within 90 days following the date of receipt of your application for review, or within 90 days of the date on which you presented your case or submitted your documents, you may file an appeal directly with the TAQ.