Introduction of birth grants and family allowances, 1988

    As of May 1988, the Government of Quebec introduced a lump sum birth grant of $500 to assist families on the occasion of the birth of a child or of the adoption of a first or second child. When there are three or more children in the family, the grant is increased to $375 per quarter until the child reaches the age of two. In addition, as of January 1989, a young children's allowance was introduced for families with at least one child under the age of six. The allowance replaces the previous "availability allowance," but provides a higher level of benefit.

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