Get Quebec disability insurance: Updated 2025 guide

In Quebec, private disability insurance plays a crucial role, offering coverage for up to 85% of your income, and addressing the significant gaps left by provincial disability benefits which only cover a fraction of your earning potential.

In this guide, we take you through how disability insurance works, why it's important to have more than provincial disability benefits, and more.

You can also use our free comparator to explore the best disability insurance Quebec plans tailored to your unique needs. Get multiple and free personalized quotes right here and start saving now.

What is disability insurance?

If an unexpected illness or accident renders you unable to work, disability insurance is a program that can help you and your family. If due to an illness or injury, disability insurance typically provides between 60% and 85% of your typical income for a predetermined length of time, up to a maximum amount.

Disability insurance is frequently provided by employers, but you can also get your policy through a life and health insurance agent. You can buy disability insurance, which will pay for a sizable percentage of your business expenses if you are unable to work, whether or not you are self-employed.

It's crucial to emphasize how the word "permanent" refers to the type of disability. It does not suggest that you will always be granted benefits.

Why do you need disability insurance in Quebec?

In Quebec, the provincial plan, such as the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP), provides disability benefits, but these are often limited to a percentage of your average earnings and capped at a maximum amount. For example, QPP disability benefits are designed to replace only a portion of your income, up to a certain limit, which may not suffice to cover all your expenses.

Private disability insurance plans, on the other hand, offer more flexibility and can cover up to 60%-85% of your income, providing a more substantial safety net. These plans can be tailored to suit your specific financial needs and lifestyle, ensuring that in case of a disability, you have enough support to maintain your standard of living without depleting your savings or assets.

Therefore, while Quebec's provincial plan offers basic protection, private disability insurance plans provide enhanced coverage, filling in the financial gaps left by the provincial benefits and offering peace of mind through more comprehensive financial support.

If you want to explore disability insurance plans that fit your needs and are tailored to your income and budget, you can do it right here using our free tool below. Compare multiple plans and get free quotes right here.

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How much does disability insurance cost in Québec?

Depending on several variables, the cost of your disability insurance will normally be between 1 and 9 percent of your earnings. When figuring out how much to charge you for disability insurance, life insurers will take the following factors into account:

• Your required level of protection
• How much time must pass before receiving funds
• The time frame for payments (how long you want to receive payouts)
• Your occupation, age, and general health
• Where you live has less of an impact on the cost you pay for insurance than it does for auto and home coverage.

In the chart below we explain in more detail why some of those factors are taken into consideration:

Factor	Smoking (or tobacco use) is the leading cause of disability and premature death in Canada, accounting for 45,000 fatalities annually. Therefore, giving up smoking has several advantages, such as lower disability insurance premiums and/or better insurance reimbursements.
Age	You will pay less for disability insurance and many other health-related products if you are younger. Younger people pay less for disability insurance as they constitute less risk.
Gender	According to recent studies, women are more likely than men to submit disability claims. As a result, women might pay more for disability insurance even though they might pay less for life and vehicle insurance.
Occupation	The cost of your Québec disability benefits program is more affected by your profession than by your income. As a result, your insurance will cost more the riskier your profession is.
Health	Insurance companies, like any other life or health insurance business, look at your medical history to see if you qualify for disability coverage and, if so, how much it will cost.
Smoking status	Smoking (or tobacco use) is the leading cause of disability and premature death in Canada, accounting for 45 000 fatalities annually. Therefore, giving up smoking has several advantages, such as lower disability insurance premiums and/or better insurance reimbursements.

It is, therefore, recommended to get personalized quotes. You can do this easily by using our comparator tool at the top of this page. It's free to use and gives you access to the best disability insurance plans.

What are the best disability insurance plans in Canada?

The best disability insurance depends on your specific requirements, financial limits, and other personal factors. However, here are the top options for comprehensive and varied disability coverage from top providers like iA Financial, Canada Life, RBC, Manulife, and more.

Insurance Plan	Key Features	Key Coverage
iA Superior Program (iA disability insurance)	Up to $10,000 monthly benefit Nontaxable Rehabilitation services	Premium waiver Coverage during unemployment Benefits for organ donation and death
Canada Life Independence Plan	Renewable Various waiting/benefit periods Total/partial disability benefits	$500 to $3,000 monthly benefits Special provisions like hospitalization waiver
Beneva	Up to $72,000 per year Combines with group insurance Premium refunds	Renewable to age 65 Total or partial disability coverage
Humania Income Insurance - Accident and Sickness	Offers up to $10,000 monthly for total or partial disability Choice of benefit periods, and waiting periods Premiums guaranteed for the first 5 years	A monthly benefit of up to $10,000 for total or partial disability, with a choice of benefit period up to 65 years Waiting periods of 14, 30, 90, or 120 days Up to $1,000 per month for less traditional working scenarios
RBC Professional Series®	Comprehensive benefits for total/partial disability Non-cancellable, recovery benefit	Up to age 65 coverage Healthcare profession rider Retirement protector
Manulife Personal Accident Disability Insurance (long term disability insurance manulife)	Accident and partial disability benefits Hospitalization, and rehabilitation benefits	Up to $6,000 monthly Customizable benefit periods and add-ons
RBC Quantum®	Income protection for partial loss Return to work assistance Benefit integration	Benefits till age 65 Various premium options Family care and retirement riders
Humania Assurance - Accident	A broad range of occupational classes	Coverage options include a monthly benefit of up to $6,000 Choices of waiting periods and benefit periods for customization. Special conditions adjust benefits and definitions based on age and employment status after 70 or if unemployed for more than 90 days.
RBC Bridge Series®	Total disability benefits Return to work assistance Renewable till age 65	Level premiums Compassionate care Occupation extension benefits
RBC The Foundation Series™ Policy	Total disability benefits Flexible benefit periods Return to work assistance Non-cancellable to age 65 Medical Confidence™ service Long-term care conversion option	Simplified application with just one health question No financial documentation is required for coverage Competitive pricing
iA Acci-Jet Program	Up to $6,000 monthly No medical exam Premium waiver	Recurrent disability benefits Coverage extension to age 75

What is Québec's Social Solidarity Program?

The Social Solidarity Program, or le Programme de solidarité sociale in French, is a plan designed for single individuals or families with adults who have very low employment capacity.

If you are in this position or know someone in a similar situation, this initiative can help you with social inclusion and participation while offering financial support.

The financial support is supposed to cover a portion of the person with disabilities' salary since they are no longer able to practice their professions for some time. However, the amount given varies depending on the number of family members and other factors, like:

• Type of housing
• Income
• Assets

How much are disability benefits in Québec?

"How much will I be able to receive?" is typically the first thought that crosses one's mind. It is a pertinent question given that this disability payment is meant to replace your income until you can return to work.

The Québec Pension Plan (QPP) pays a maximum monthly amount of $1,362.27.

Don’t forget that your dependent children may also be eligible for a children's benefit if you are receiving a disability benefit or post-retirement disability benefit. Each dependent child qualifies as a QPP disability recipient for an additional $79.46 per month.

Would you be able to cover your current expenses with these amounts? If you are unsure, you might want to look into purchasing coverage with a disability insurance provider. You can explore multiple providers right here and get quotes tailored to your needs using our free tool below.

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What qualifies you for disability in Québec?

You may be eligible for monthly Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) disability benefits if you:

• Be recognized with a severe and permanent disability by a team of Québec medical professionals
• Have paid enough into QPP while working

Keep in mind that qualifying for the Québec Pension Plan disability benefit has various eligibility conditions, therefore you may not immediately be eligible for a disability pension just because an insurance company, other organization, or government agency determines that you are unable to work. You should contact Retraite Québec directly to inquire.

What is child disability benefit in Québec?

The child disability benefit is part of the Québec disability support program and it was created to give families financial support for the custody, raising, and education of children with handicaps. The child's capacity to carry out his or her daily activities must be considerably restricted by the impairment or mental function disability over a time frame of at least one year.

According to their age, a child must develop certain life habits to take care of themselves and interact with others. When evaluating applications, the following personal traits are taken into account:

• Interpersonal relations
• Development and learning
• Personal care
• Nutrition
• Communication
• Moving about
• Responsibilities

Regardless of family income or the nature of the impairment, $200 is paid each month for each qualified child. The amount is not taxable and is annually increased in January.

How to apply for short-term disability in Québec?

The application process for the short-term disability Québec program is not made to be complicated and it can be done by following these 4 simple steps:

1. Download the Québec Pension Plan Disability Benefits Application.
2. Fill out the form by following the instructions precisely. Don't forget to include your Social Insurance Number.
3. The form can then be printed or sent through email. Application for Disability Benefits Under the Québec Pension Plan and Consent Regarding the Release of Medical and Psychosocial Information should be mailed to Retraite Québec, Case Postale 5200, Québec G1K 7S9
4. Please fill out Section 1 of the Medical Report Form and send it to your attending physician. Your attending physician will write the report and send it to Retraite Québec.

All documents to be downloaded can be found on the Québec social assistance disability website.

How long is short-term disability in Québec?

While you're ill or injured, it is always good news to know that you have someone to call for help, and short-term disability insurance normally pays benefits for up to 6 months.

Your claim must be submitted through your disability plan if your company has a short-term disability policy. For further information on your plan, including any applicable sick leave or vacation regulations, get in touch with your employer's human resources department.

If you don't have short-term disability insurance and your employer doesn't offer it, you may be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits.

How long is long-term disability in Québec?

Since the short-term disability in Québec has its maximum time set as 6 months of benefits, a common question is: How long are long-term disability benefits in Québec and who is eligible for them? Accordingly, benefits from long-term disability insurance often start after the following benefits expire:

• The insurance for temporary disability is known as short-term disability benefits;
• The benefits from your employer for sick time;
• Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits.

Most long-term disability policies will replace 60% to 70% of your regular income.

Every disability plan is unique. If you are unable to return to the job you held before, some may offer disability compensation for up to two years. Only if you cannot work at any employment after two years may you continue to get benefits.

Check out all your options here. Use our free tool below to explore the best short-term and long-term disability Quebec plans and get free quotes now.

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How does the Québec disability tax credit benefit work?

The disability tax credit (DTC) offers tax relief to people who, as determined by a licensed medical professional, are significantly limited in their ability to perform a basic activity of daily living or require extensive therapy to maintain a vital function as a result of the effects of a severe and protracted impairment. Even with therapy or the use of the proper tools and medication, people remain severely limited.

• They are blind or incapable of carrying out a simple daily task, or
• All or substantially all of the time, if they take an excessively long time to do the task.

Walking, feeding and dressing oneself, perceiving, thinking, and remembering, as well as speaking and hearing, are all considered fundamental daily tasks.