Amount and payment

The amount of the Supplement for Handicapped Children Requiring Exceptional Care is the same for everyone, regardless of the child's condition and the family income. In 2024, the monthly amount for Tier 1 of the Supplement for Handicapped Children Requiring Exceptional Care is $1158 and $770 for Tier 2, for each eligible child. The eligibility requirements are stricter for Tier 1 than for Tier 2. That is why a higher amount is granted for Tier 1 than for Tier 2. The amounts are indexed, that is, adjusted to the cost of living, in January of each year and are not taxable.

The Supplement for Handicapped Children Requiring Exceptional Care is paid to the person who receives the Family Allowance payment. If the child is in shared custody, each parent receives half of the Supplement for Handicapped Children Requiring Exceptional Care. We consider that a child is in shared custody when the child lives alternately with each parent between 40% and 60% of the time each month.

Frequency of payments

The Supplement for Handicapped Children Requiring Exceptional Care is paid with Family Allowance four times a year, that is, in January, April, July and October, on the scheduled payment dates.

To receive monthly payments, you must complete a Change in Frequency of Family Allowance Payments form.

It is recommended that you sign up for direct deposit to receive your payments.

Retroactive eligibility period

The potential retroactivity allows you to receive a retroactive payment for a maximum period of 11 months from the date on which we received your application. Your child must meet the eligibility requirements for the Supplement for Handicapped Children Requiring Exceptional Care during all this time. Therefore, eligible families do not lose any amount because of the processing time for their application.

If your child is not in this situation, we will determine a specific date on which he or she became eligible for the Supplement for Handicapped Children Requiring Exceptional Care based on the time when your child's condition met the requirements. The retroactive period will begin on that date, and no amount can be granted before.

End of a child's eligibility

Payments stop when one of the following situations occurs:

• The child no longer meets the eligibility requirements because his or her condition has improved.
• The child turns 18.
• The beneficiary is no longer eligible for Family Allowance.
• The child is temporarily placed or institutionalized without interruption (more than 50% of the time), except for a respite. You must contact us to verify whether the placement conditions are complied with.