Get Quebec disability insurance: Updated 2024 guide
- Monthly benefits not subject to taxation
- Professional rehabilitation program
- Premium waiver in case of total disability
- 4 optional coverage endorsements available
The iA Financial Group's Superior Program offers maximum coverage of $120,000 and covers professional classes from 4A to C. With a minimum work time of 21 hours per week, this insurance does not require a minimum pre-tax income. It stands out with non-taxable monthly benefits and a vocational rehabilitation program. Ideal for newcomers, it includes four optional riders and can be renewed up to the age of 70.
- Total or partial disability
- Combines with group insurance
- Premium refunds
Beneva's Disability Insurance offers a maximum coverage of $72,000 and covers professional classes from 4A to B without requiring a minimum income. Renewable until the age of 65, this plan stands out with its premium refund feature and the possibility of combining with group insurance. It includes four optional riders and does not require a medical questionnaire, offering great flexibility.
- Option for total or partial disability
- 13 optional coverage endorsements available
- Included rehabilitation benefit
- Indemnity periods of 24, 60, 120 months
Canada Life's The Independence Protection Insurance offers maximum coverage of $300,000, one of the highest in the market. It covers professional classes from 4A to B and requires a minimum net income of $35,000 per year. This plan includes 13 optional riders, a partial disability option, and flexible benefit periods of up to 120 months. Non-cancellable until age 65, it is suitable for part-time and seasonal workers without a medical questionnaire.
- Premiums guaranteed for the first 5 years
- Critical illnesses automatically included
- Premium return at 20 years
Humania's Prohealth Accident and Sickness Insurance offers a maximum coverage of $120,000 and covers all professional classes without minimum income requirements. Renewable until age 65 with guaranteed premiums for the first five years, it includes critical illnesses as a standard feature and provides a premium refund every 20 years. Ideal for all professionals, it is accessible without a medical questionnaire.
- Offers a wide range of products tailored to different profiles and needs
- Competitive premiums and rates
- Personalised cover and optional benefits
- Access to disability assistance and support services
RBC's Professional Series® Policy offers a maximum coverage of $72,000 for professional classes from 4A to A, with a minimum income requirement of $6,000 per year. It is non-cancellable until age 65 and includes partial and residual disability benefits, as well as seven optional riders. Designed for full-time professionals, this insurance is accessible without a medical questionnaire but requires a minimum of 30 hours of work per week.
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.
Quebec disability insurance: Key takeaways
- QPP Limitations: Quebec Pension Plan offers limited coverage, necessitating additional private insurance.
- Private Coverage: Disability insurance in Quebec covers 60%-85% of your income.
- Gap Filling: Addresses gaps left by provincial benefits, ensuring broader financial security.
- Cost Factors: Premiums depend on age, health, occupation, and coverage level.
- Plan Flexibility: Tailored to fit individual financial needs and lifestyles.
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.
Good to know
If you're self-employed, you can also look at our complete guide on self-employed disability insurance in Canada.
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.
Good to know
Disability benefits work differently across Canadian provinces. Take a look at our comprehensive guides on disability benefits and disability insurance in Alberta, disability insurance in Ontario, and disability insurance in BC.
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.
Good to know
Note that the coverage options and products offered might vary across provinces even from the same providers. It's important to check with the insurance company if a specific product is provided in Quebec.
| Insurance Plan | Key Features | Key Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| iA Superior Program (iA disability insurance) |
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| Canada Life Independence Plan |
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| Beneva |
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| Humania Income Insurance - Accident and Sickness |
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| RBC Professional Series® |
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| Manulife Personal Accident Disability Insurance (long term disability insurance manulife) |
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| RBC Quantum® |
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| Humania Assurance - Accident | A broad range of occupational classes |
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| RBC Bridge Series® |
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| RBC The Foundation Series™ Policy |
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| iA Acci-Jet Program |
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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.
Get a free disability insurance quote
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:
- Download the Québec Pension Plan Disability Benefits Application.
- Fill out the form by following the instructions precisely. Don't forget to include your Social Insurance Number.
- 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
- 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.
What are Québec disability income support payment dates in 2024?
The payments for the year 2024 will be made on the following dates:
- 31 January 2024
- 29 February 2024
- 28 March 2024
- 30 April 2024
- 31 May 2024
- 28 June 2024
- 31 July 2024
- 30 August 2024
- 27 September 2024
- 31 October 2024
- 29 November 2024
- 30 December 2024
