Return to Work Supplement

Helping you get a good start in your new job

You just got a job and you need to buy new tools, office material or clothing. If you are eligible for the Return to Work Supplement, you could receive $500 to help cover expenses related to your return to work.

Employment requirements

To qualify under the supplement program, your job must meet the following conditions:

It must provide an income equivalent to at least 30 hours per week at the minimum wage rate;
It must be insurable within the meaning of the Employment Insurance Act, that is, for which you pay Employment Insurance premiums.

You are eligible if

you receive Employment Insurance benefits;
you receive benefits under a last resort financial assistance program;
you were eligible for Employment Insurance in the past three years; in the past five years,
you benefited from a parental leave under the Québec Parental Insurance Plan or recognized by the Employment Insurance Program;
you are participating in the Alternative jeunesse program.

To be eligible, you must, in the past 12 months:

have had no work;

have had little work, earning a gross income inferior to 427 hours times the effective hourly minimum wage.

You are not eligible for the Return to Work Supplement if

you are a full-time student;
you receive an income-replacement benefit from another Québec government organization, such as the Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CSST) or the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) (certain exceptions apply);
you are already participating in an employment-assistance measure or program, with the exception of the Employment Services measure offered by Emploi-Québec;
you received the Return to Work Supplement within the past 12 months;
your job is wholly or partially funded by government employment-assistance measures or programs.

If you are eligible for the Return to Work Supplement:

Contact your local employment centre (CLE) as soon as you get your new job. You will have to fill out a form and provide proof of employment (Annexe 1 - Confirmation de l'emploi). Don't delay! You must submit your application within 45 calendar days of the start date of your new job.

For more information

Visit your local employment centre (CLE) or call 1 888 643-4721.

Québec is responsible for active employment measures and certain functions of the National Employment Service that are funded by Canada's Employment Insurance Account.

Helping you get a good start in your new job (PDF, 121 Ko)

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