The Shelter Allowance [Allocation-logement] helps low-income Quebecers who are 50 or older, or who have a dependent child, and who spend at least 30% of their income on housing. It is paid by Revenu Québec for the Société d’habitation du Québec. For October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027, it pays up to $170 a month, and you have to apply again every year.
How much you’ll get
The amount depends on your 2025 family income, your family situation, and how much of that income goes to housing. If your income is under the limit for your situation (see “Who qualifies” below), you get the full amount:
| Share of your 2025 family income spent on housing | Full amount for the year (October 2026 to September 2027) |
|---|---|
| 30% to 49% | $1,200 ($100 a month) |
| 50% to 79% | $1,800 ($150 a month) |
| 80% or more | $2,040 ($170 a month) |
If your income is above the limit for a full amount, you may still get a reduced amount. For every dollar of family income over the limit, Revenu Québec takes one dollar off your yearly amount. The reduced amount is at most $1,199, $1,799 or $2,039 a year, depending on your housing share.
Your housing share is your yearly housing costs divided by your 2025 family income, times 100. For example, $16,500 ÷ $39,500 × 100 = 41.8%. Revenu Québec explains which costs count for tenants, room renters and owners.
Example: a senior who rents. Jean is 68, lives alone and had a 2025 income of $22,000. He pays $950 a month in rent, or $11,400 a year, and has no other housing costs. That is 51.8% of his income, so he’s in the 50% to 79% group. His income is under the $23,600 limit, so he gets the full $1,800 for the year, or $150 a month.
Example: a little over the limit. If Jean’s income had been $24,500, his rent would be 46.5% of it, which puts him in the 30% to 49% group. He’d be $900 over the $23,600 limit, so he’d get $1,200 − $900 = $300 for the year.
If you apply partway through the year, your first payment includes everything owed back to October 1. Revenu Québec doesn’t make payments under $2.
Who qualifies
You can get the Shelter Allowance for October 2026 to September 2027 if all of these are true:
- You live in Québec, and you weren’t exempt from income tax for 2025.
- You own your home, rent an eligible dwelling (a room, apartment or house), or live with someone you pay rent to.
- You or your spouse will be 50 or over by September 30, 2027, or you have at least one dependent child.
- You and your spouse filed a 2025 Québec tax return. If you weren’t living in Québec on December 31, 2025, you attach one to your application.
- On December 31, 2025, your bank accounts, TFSAs and investments together were worth $50,000 or less. RRSPs, RRIFs, RDSPs, LIRAs and FHSAs don’t count.
- You spent at least 30% of your 2025 family income on housing.
- Your 2025 family income is under the maximum for your situation.
Income limits for October 2026 to September 2027:
| Family situation | Full amount if 2025 income is at or below | No allowance at or above (housing share 80% or more) |
|---|---|---|
| Person 50 or over living alone | $23,600 | $25,640 |
| Couple, no children, at least one 50 or over | $33,100 | $35,140 |
| Couple with one child | $40,600 | $42,640 |
| Single parent with one or two children | $40,600 | $42,640 |
| Couple with two or more children | $46,800 | $48,840 |
| Single parent with three or more children | $46,800 | $48,840 |
The upper limit is lower if you spend less of your income on housing. For a person living alone, it is $24,800 at a 30% to 49% housing share and $25,400 at 50% to 79%. Revenu Québec’s short online questionnaire can help you check.
How to apply
- Apply online in My Account for individuals at Revenu Québec. You can send your documents online too, so there’s nothing to mail.
- Or use the paper form Shelter Allowance Application (LEX-165-V). Mail it with your documents to: Revenu Québec, C. P. 6800, succursale Place-Desjardins, Montréal (Québec) H5B 1J5.
- Add the documents for your situation. Tenants usually send a copy of their lease or lease renewal notice. Owners send other proof. Revenu Québec lists what each situation needs.
- Wait for the decision. Revenu Québec usually processes a complete application within 45 days.
Only one person in a couple applies.
To get the forms by mail, or for questions, call 514 940-1481 (Montréal area), 418 266-1016 (Québec City area) or 1 855 291-6467 (toll-free), Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Deadlines: you have until September 30, 2027, to apply for October 2026 to September 2027.
What changed in 2026
- The new year uses your 2025 income, and the income limits went up. For example, a person 50 or over living alone can now have up to $23,600 for a full amount, up from $22,900 for the October 2025 to September 2026 year. For a couple with one child, the limit rose from $39,500 to $40,600.
- The monthly amounts stayed the same: $100, $150 or $170.
Payment late, missing or different?
Revenu Québec doesn’t publish a set payment day. How often you’re paid depends on the size of your allowance. In My Account for individuals, you can check the status of your application, the date and amount of your last payment, and your notices of determination.
If you’re expecting a payment and it hasn’t arrived, check with your bank first, then call Revenu Québec at the numbers above.
Common reasons for a delay or a different amount:
- Your application is still being processed, or documents are missing.
- You get paid by cheque. Direct deposit is faster. Sign up in My Account for individuals or with form LM-3-V.
- Your situation changed. Tell Revenu Québec right away if your rent or housing costs change, your home becomes subsidized, you separate or have a new spouse, your spouse dies, the number of people sharing costs changes, or you leave Québec. You can call if no documents are needed.
Watch out for scams. Revenu Québec will never ask you for a fee, gift cards or your password to receive the Shelter Allowance. If a text or email asks for that, don’t click the link. Log in to My Account yourself or call the numbers above.
Other help you might be missing
- Quebec Solidarity Tax Credit: its housing part is for people who rent or own their home, and you claim it on your tax return.
- Guaranteed Income Supplement: extra monthly money for Old Age Security pensioners with a low income.
- Quebec Social Assistance: monthly help if you have little or no income.
Common questions
Do I have to reapply for the Shelter Allowance every year?
Yes. Each benefit year runs from October 1 to September 30, and you must apply for each one. Revenu Québec sends a reminder to people who already get it.
Do my RRSP or RRIF savings count toward the $50,000 limit?
No. Only bank accounts, TFSAs and investments count. Registered plans such as RRSPs, RRIFs, RDSPs and LIRAs, and FHSAs, are left out.