06.03 – Special benefits for additional expenses associated with participation in a social inclusion and professional integration (SI-PI) measure

Daily transportation expenses

Daily transportation expenses are those associated with the daily commute from the person's residence to the place where the activities take place and may include transportation expenses associated with driving children to the day care centre. To establish the amount that will be paid, the advisor assesses the needs of the person and seeks the most cost-effective solution considering the availability of public transport services, but also the constraints faced by the participants (class schedule, childcare schedule, etc.).

The cost of the monthly transit pass is included among the additional expenses that can be reimbursed when it is an expense related to participation in the measure. When the use of a personal vehicle is essential, the expenses are based on the number of kilometres traveled to get from the person's home to the place where the activities take place. Consideration for the number of kilometres traveled to drive children to the day care centre is a possibility.

These expenses are covered based on the rate set by the Conseil du trésor du Québec, which is $0.145/km. The Income Security Program does not reimburse any other expenses related to the use of a vehicle. Parking fees are paid only in special situations, for example, for a disabled person or because there is no possibility of parking without charges, etc. When transportation expenses are granted to a participant, the maximum amount that can be granted is $536 per month. In situations where the person has young children and it is unreasonable to ask them to move their children for a stay away from home,[1] there is no applicable maximum.

When the advisor deems appropriate to reimburse daily transportation expenses, they must note on file the reasons justifying their decision. Daily transportation expenses should not be granted to those who are staying away from home, as there is the possibility of finding temporary accommodations near the establishment where the activity takes place.

Moving expenses

Moving expenses may be covered under certain conditions to allow the person to participate in an SI-PI measure in another location. The Income Security Program pays the cost of moving to the location where the activity takes place only when the move is the least costly solution, especially considering the expenses of daily and occasional transportation, expenses for stays away from home, etc. The advisor and the participant must examine the different options to determine the most cost-effective option. It may be more advantageous to pay for a move than to grant a stay away from home. The advisor must take into account the individual's personal circumstances, the duration of the participation and the associated expenses in determining whether or not to pay for a move. Additional expenses granted for a move must not exceed $1,000 per move. The reimbursement corresponds to the actual expenses incurred up to the maximum expected amount. Supporting documents are kept on file.

Expenses for stays away from home

When an activity takes place in a location away from the participant's usual place of residence, the person may be required to occupy temporary accommodations near the location where the activity takes place while maintaining their usual place of residence. Expenses for stays away from home include temporary accommodation expenses. Other living expenses, such as food expenses, are already covered by the last-resort financial assistance.

Payment of expenses for stays away from home may be justified in the following circumstances:

The dependent children of the participant live in the usual place of residence;

The participant has no dependents but maintains a place of residence in their community;

and:

The training is so short, usually eight weeks or less, that the participant cannot be expected to abandon their usual place of residence;

or:

The training lasts more than eight weeks but there are special circumstances that would justify maintaining their usual place of residence.

The decision to grant financial assistance for a stay away from home is the responsibility of the advisor who must particularly consider the individual’s personal situation, the duration of the training, the existence of a lease or other commitments to the Band Council, the daily and occasional transportation expenses and the reasonableness of the participant's request. The advisor must seek with the person the most cost-effective solution.

If the advisor grants additional coverage for a stay away from home, the amounts may not exceed $536 per month and include all expenses related to accommodations. Supporting documents, meaning originals or copies of originals, are kept on file.

The reimbursement of occasional travel expenses for participants in situations where they are staying away from home is authorized for the beginning and the end of the activity and interruption periods of seven days or more. The advisor may authorize occasional travel for a period of interruption of less than seven days when warranted by the situation.

Occasional travel expenses

Occasional travel expenses include transportation, meals and accommodation expenses incurred by the person in the context of occasional travel. Transportation expenses are payable according to the rates set by the Conseil du trésor under article 9 of the Directive sur les frais remboursables lors d’un déplacement et autres frais inhérents. Meal and accommodation expenses are also payable according to the rates set by the Conseil du trésor under articles 13, 14 and 16 of the Directive sur les frais remboursables lors d’un déplacement et autres frais inhérents[2] or according to the rates set out in the Band Council's travel regulations and procedures. The reimbursement of occasional travel expenses for participants who are staying away from home is authorized for the beginning and end of the activity as well as the periods of interruption of seven days or more.

SPECIAL BENEFIT	TERMS AND CONDITIONS	AMOUNTS GRANTED
Transportation expenses	Most cost-effective means May include transportation expenses to drive children to child care services, public transportation, taxi fare and use of a personal vehicle (km) Supporting documents required on file	For a personal vehicle: $0.145/km For other means of transportation: according to the supporting documents provided Maximum of $536 per month
Parking fees	Only covered for special situations Supporting documents required on file	Must correspond to the actual cost according to the supporting documents provided No established maximum
Moving expenses	Covered if moving is the least expensive solution Supporting documents required on file	Must correspond to the actual cost Maximum of $1,000
Expenses for stays away from home	Can include temporary accommodation expenses Excludes living expenses (such as food expenses) Covered if this is the most cost-effective solution Supporting documents required on file	According to the supporting documents provided Maximum of $536 per month
Occasional travel expenses	Can include transportation, meal and accommodation expenses incurred by the person for occasional travel Supporting documents required on file For the terms and conditions, use the following link: https://www.tresor.gouv.qc.ca/fileadmin/PDF/secretariat/Directive_frais_remboursables.pdf under articles 13,14 and 16	For the amounts granted, refer to the rates set by the Conseil du trésor or those set by the Band Council’s travel regulations and procedures.

[1] For more information, please see the paragraph “Expenses for stays away from home” on the next page.

[2] For more information, use the following link: https://www.tresor.gouv.qc.ca/fileadmin/PDF/secretariat/Directive_frais_remboursables.pdf.