The Residential Adaptation Assistance Program is designed to help people with disabilities to perform their everyday activities and remain in their homes for longer. It offers financial assistance to homeowners, covering admissible work carried out to meet the needs of a disabled person.

Eligibility

All people with disabilities whose limitations affect their everyday activities are eligible for assistance, provided:

• They submit a report from an occupational therapist, demonstrating that their impairment is significant and persistent, and that the disability requires alterations to their home.
• They are not eligible for residential adaptation assistance under the insurance plans offered by the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec or the Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail.

Other conditions may apply.

Available assistance

Financial assistance may be as much as $16,000 per eligible person. In certain specific cases determined by the Société d’habitation du Québec, an additional amount of up to $7,000 may be paid.

In cases where specialized equipment is required, additional assistance not exceeding $10,000 may also be paid, based on criteria determined by the Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ).

Admissible work

Work is admissible if:

• Its purpose is to alter or adapt a disabled person’s dwelling so that he or she is able to enter, leave and have independent access to the rooms and everyday utilities.
• It offers a simple and economic solution.

Examples :

• Installation of an outside access ramp
• Remodelling of a bathroom
• Widening of door frames

Program applications

The Société d’habitation du Québec has entrusted the municipalities and regional county municipalities (RCMs) with responsibility for managing the Program. The health and social services network is also involved in the production of occupational therapists’ reports.

Steps in the application process

1. You should obtain a copy of the Program registration form from your local community services centre (CLSC), or from the SHQ. Once completed, the form should be sent to the SHQ, along with the necessary supporting documents.
   

   If you are a tenant, you must first obtain your landlord’s permission for the work to be carried out in your dwelling. The landlord, as the building’s owner, must also complete part of the application form.

2. The SHQ then forwards your application to your municipality or RCM and to the health institution responsible for producing the occupational therapist’s report.
3. A representative from the municipality or RCM will visit your home and draw up a list of admissible work, based on the occupational therapist’s recommendations.
4. The homeowner must obtain one or more bids from contractors holding the appropriate licences from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec.
5. Work must not begin until authorization has been received from the municipality or RCM.
6. The homeowner will receive the financial assistance once the work has been completed and the municipality or RCM has checked to ensure that it has been carried out as agreed.

For further information

Contact your municipality or RCM , your local CLSC or  the Société d'habitation du Québec.