The Pregnant Minors Financial Assistance Program provides temporary financial assistance for pregnant minors who have no financial resources in order to help ensure their health and that of their unborn child.
Since April 1, 2018, beneficiaries are no longer required to file monthly statements. However, you must declare any change in your family or financial situation or any other change in your situation immediately because it could affect the amount of the benefits you receive or have received. The change will be taken into account as of the following month. If you fail to declare a change, you could lose your financial assistance or be required to repay an assistance overpayment.
Changes that must be declared include the following:
- end of pregnancy
- delivery of a child
- change of address
- new job
- increase or decrease in your income
Clientele
Pregnant minors
Conditions
To be eligible for financial assistance, a minor must be at least 20 weeks pregnant and must:
- be referred to the program by a local community service centre (CLSC)
- live in Québec
Other conditions apply. The full list can be found on the website of the ministère du Travail, de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale.
Restrictions
The minor woman must not:
- live with a parent or someone who has custody of her under a court order or a sponsorship undertaking
- live in a residential resource (such as a rehabilitation centre, foster family or youth centre) covered by the Act respecting health services and social services
- be eligible for the Social Assistance Program or Social Solidarity Program as an independent adult or a family member (e.g., emancipated minor, married person or person who already has a dependent child)
- be eligible for the Loans and Bursaries Program if she attends a secondary-level vocational training program or a post-secondary educational institution
- have more than $1,500 in liquid assets (in a bank account, on hand or in short-term marketable assets) on the date of the application or while participating in the program
The amount of the financial assistance granted varies depending on the situation. In 2018, financial assistance is calculated on the basis of the following amounts:
- $205 per month for a woman residing in a resource run by a non-profit organization (except for a rehabilitation centre, group home, youth centre or foster family) that provides room and board;
- $822 per month in other situations (for instance, if the woman does not reside in a resource run by an organization)
Financial assistance can be provided until the time of the child’s birth
Note
The assistance may be reduced if other forms of income are received during the pregnancy.
The Pregnant Minors Financial Assistance Program was established on April 1, 2017.
