About 84,000 welfare recipients will receive more generous welfare benefits beginning January 1, 2023, thanks to the Quebec government’s new Basic Income Program (BRP).
It was the Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity, Jean Boulet, who announced this in a press release on Friday morning.
It is a “strong gesture of solidarity” and “significant social progress”, says Jean Boulet.
“With [ce nouveau programme]Not only are we helping to promote the participation in social and economic life of people with severe employment limitations, particularly people with disabilities, but we are responding to one of our key priorities, which is to make Québec ever fairer and fairer,” said the minister.
The basic income program is aimed at people with significant limitations in gainful employment, such as mental disorders, intellectual disabilities, chronic diseases.
Those people who currently receive benefits from the social solidarity program will be automatically redirected to the new program, which will allow them to receive up to 40% higher amounts.
As part of the need-based support, they continue to be entitled to special services (glasses, dental care, transport, etc.).
The PRB represents a total investment of US$1.6 billion over the period 2019-2023. PRB is estimated to cost US$374.4 million over the next five years.