Provision is made for payment of child care expenses to a maximum of $10 PER DAY per dependent child. This payment, however, must not exceed the cost actually incurred. Payment is made to:
- an adult of a single-parent family who participates in an active measure established by Emploi-Québec;
- a two-parent family where both spouses participate in such a measure;
- a two-parent family where one adult participates in a measure and the other adult is unable, for health reasons certified by medical certificate, to provide this care.
The payment is established and made in advance, provided the participant agrees to produce vouchers. Advances for child care may be calculated using the monthly calculation factor. However:
- where the child care expenses actually incurred for the month are LESS than the payment made at the beginning of the month, a claim is established and the overpayment is recovered.
- and where the child care expenses actually incurred for the month are MORE than the payment made at the beginning of the month and the maximum allowable has not already been paid, assistance will be adjusted.
Moreover, child care expenses may be subject to reimbursement, provided that the amount that a child care service charges a client of assistance is the same as the amount it charges its clientele in general for equivalent service. Payment covers a child up to and including elementary school, regardless of his or her age.
Generally speaking, child care expenses are not paid when child care is provided by immediate family members such as the participant’s spouse, his or her children, or one of the child’s parents.
However, child care expenses may be paid to individuals participating in an active measure and whose spouse stays at home and is, for instance, actively seeking employment. Recipients may be required to provide evidence of active job search.
PARTICULARITY:
Participants in a measure may continue receiving child care expenses during the SUMMER HOLIDAYS, even if they lose the scale based on participation, provided they meet the following criteria:
- they have indicated their intention to continue their schooling; and,
- they are obliged to pay child care expenses in order to retain their place for the following autumn.
The expenses are paid and decisions made in this regard are not subject to review or appeal.
Before child care expenses are paid, it is determined whether the beneficiary is using child care services recognized. The beneficiary is free to use the child care service of his or her choice, but must be informed of the services eligible under the Ministère de la famille's financial assistance program, namely, child care services provided in a day care centre, a family setting, and educational institution.
A LOWER MAXIMUM may be set if the actual market price is lower that the amount provided in the Framework Policy.
Reimbursement of child care expenses is based on a 5-DAY WEEK. By way of exception, in the case of participants in REPS who are enrolled in intensive courses offered by the educational institution, the number of days may be increased to 7. This exception, however, does not apply to personal work done at home or on the premises of the educational institution.
CONTRIBUTION EXEMPT PLACES
The Income Security Program clients under the Framework Policy whose children ages 5 years and under receive a reduced contribution place in an early childhood centre can obtain places that are exempt from contributions.
A contribution exempt place is a place that allows for benefitting from 2 and a half days or 5 half days per week of free child care services.
The Income Security Counsellor must inform the client accordingly and ensure that they benefit from this exemption, by virtue of their obligation to exercise their rights and recourse. Only days that are ineligible for contribution exemption can be reimbursed in the context of active participation programs and measures fostering integration into employment and training.
A parent who wishes to benefit from the contribution exemption must file an application using the form provided to them by the early childhood centre. They must provide proof that they are an Income Security client.