Financial help for caregivers in Quebec

Tax credits

In Quebec, the tax credit for caregivers is administered by Revenu Québec. Federally, the Canada caregiver amount and the medical expense tax credit are administered by the Canada Revenue Agency. Each has its own conditions about the person being helped, your relationship and whether you live together.

PASSARA does not prepare tax returns. It helps you get the information and documents ready for your accountant or tax professional.

Employment Insurance: three caregiving benefits

These federal benefits replace part of your income while you are away from work. They may apply depending on the situation of the person you care for:

• Family caregiver benefit for children: up to 35 weeks (critically ill or injured person under 18).
• Family caregiver benefit for adults: up to 15 weeks (critically ill or injured person 18 or over).
• Compassionate care benefits: up to 26 weeks (end-of-life care).
• Amount: 55% of insurable weekly earnings, up to $729 a week in 2026.
• A medical doctor or nurse practitioner must certify the person's condition.
• You don't need to live with the person or be related by blood or marriage: someone considered “like family” may also be covered.
• Caregivers can share the weeks, at the same time or one after another; each person submits their own claim.

Before you apply: 3 steps

Have these ready for Service Canada; do not enter them in PASSARA. Only Service Canada decides eligibility.

• 1. Identify which situation best matches: child, adult or end of life.
• 2. Gather the information requested: Social Insurance Number, addresses, details about the person receiving care (relationship, name, date of birth, address), banking details for direct deposit, medical certificate and record of employment where applicable.
• 3. Apply on the official Service Canada page (link in the sources below).

Labour standards: job-protected leave (CNESST)

Separate from EI benefits, Quebec labour standards protect your job during certain absences. These options may apply; CNESST sets out the conditions:

• Up to 10 days a year for family obligations; 2 may be paid after 3 months of continuous service if not already used for another reason that year.
• Extended unpaid absence over 12 months: up to 16 weeks (serious illness or accident), 27 weeks (serious, potentially fatal illness, with medical certificate) or 36 weeks (minor child seriously ill or injured).
• Up to 104 weeks in total for a minor child with a serious, potentially fatal illness, with medical certificate.
• Notify your employer as soon as possible. Caregiver status can be attested by a health or social services professional.

Respite and home support

Home support, respite and accompaniment services are available through the health network (CLSC) and community organizations. Québec.ca lists resources for caregivers.

Identify, then verify

PASSARA identifies the help, benefits and measures that may be relevant to you. It never decides eligibility: only each program's official page, and the organization that runs it, can do that.

Official sources

• Revenu QuébecTax credit for caregivers (in French)
• Agence du revenu du Canada / Canada Revenue AgencyCanada caregiver amount
• Service CanadaEI caregiving benefits
  Where to click?See an example
• Service CanadaApply — EI caregiving benefits
  Where to click?See an example
• CNESSTCaregivers: leave and absences
• CNESSTFamily or parental obligations
• Québec.caResources and support services for caregivers
  Where to click?