The special allowance is granted to:
- An independent adult receiving housing
- A minor receiving housing with their dependent child
- An independent adult staying in a centre offering residential addiction services
This special allowance enables the person to pay the fees for the housing they occupied before their admission and that they are required to pay during the lodging period. The allowance is payable as of the month following the month of admission.
Payment of the special allowance is maintained, under the same conditions, when the independent adult or the family is subsequently placed in the care of an intermediate resource or a foster home. To benefit from the special allowance, the recipient must have received housing.
Definition of “housing”
Housing may refer to a rental unit, a room or a residence.
The term “required to pay” refers to the obligation to pay the cost of housing for a certain period when the person has not given the notice required to end their obligation.
Lodging expenses
The lodging expenses to be considered are:
- For the owner and the owner of multiple dwellings:
- Loan repayments
- Municipal and school taxes
- Fire insurance
- Heating, electricity, and maintenance costs
- For the tenant:
- Rent
- Heating and electricity
- For the roomer or boarder:
- The cost of the room or board
Deposit to secure housing
To support the social reintegration of a recipient who does not receive the special allowance for lodging expenses and whose intervention plan provides for finding housing, the recipient may receive financial assistance corresponding to the lodging expenses allowance.
A maximum amount of $416 may be granted to a recipient who demonstrates, during the final month or the month preceding the end of the stay, that they are required to pay a deposit to secure housing. The financial assistance is paid only once during the stay, and the amount granted may not exceed the amount required as a deposit.
The recipient applying for this financial assistance must meet the following criteria:
- Be eligible for the rate for an adult receiving housing.
- Be eligible for the “lodging expenses” special allowance but not receive it, since the recipient is not required to pay lodging expenses.
- Have confirmation from the centre that an intervention plan provides for finding housing.
- Have a document from the landlord or lodging provider proving that the recipient must pay a deposit to secure the housing.
Eligibility for the allowance
To be eligible for the special allowance, the independent adult receiving housing, the minor receiving housing with their dependent child or the independent adult staying in a centre offering addiction treatment services with lodging must demonstrate their obligation to pay such expenses by providing one of the following documents:
- A letter from the landlord or lodging provider
- Proof of mortgage repayment
Urgency of need
Urgency of need is attested by one of the following documents:
- Proof of housing
- Confirmation of stay in a centre offering addiction treatment services
- An order for assessment
Prior authorization
No prior authorization is required for payment of the special allowance.
Required documents
The following documents are required to review the application and pay the special allowance, depending on the situation:
- Proof of housing
- Confirmation of stay in a centre offering addiction treatment services
- An order for assessment
- A document attesting to the obligation to pay for housing
- The obligation indicated on proof of housing
- A written request from the recipient or their representative in the case of a transfer from a residential facility to an intermediate resource or a foster home.
Amount payable
An amount payable up to a maximum of $416 per month is granted for a maximum period of 12 months.
One allowance is payable per record.