How to Apply For Employment Retention Bonus?
In this guide we explain about the Employment Retention Bonus all the details and how to apply for it. We invite you to continue reading the instructions.
Employment Retention Bonus-Overview
Did you know that you can receive a $1,000 job maintenance bonus. If you cease to benefit from the Social Assistance Program or the Social Solidarity Program. And if you have held a full-time job for 12 consecutive months?
The $1,000 Job Retention Bonus may also be paid to you. If you stop participating in the Aim for Employment Program because of your work income and have been employed on a full-time basis for 12 consecutive months.
This measure has been in effect since February 1, 2018.
Who may receive this bonus?
If you satisfy the following criteria, you may be eligible for the bonus:
- you have been a recipient of the Social Assistance Program or the Social Solidarity Program for at least 12 months in the 24 months before your benefits expire, or you have participated in the Aim for Employment Program.
- you’ve worked a full-time job or jobs over the past 12 months.
- Because of your job income, you are no longer eligible for one of these programs as of February 1, 2018.
- When you ceased receiving financial help under one of these programs, you were not eligible for the Work Premium Supplement, a refundable tax credit given by Revenu Québec.
- you are not enrolled in a full-time educational institution throughout the time period covered by the application.
- With the exception of the Work Integration Contract measure and the Subsidy Program for Adapted Businesses, you are not engaging in an active measure of state employment services.
- If you haven’t already gotten a job maintenance bonus, now is the time.
What types of employment qualify?
Your job must fulfill the following criteria to be eligible:
- Be a full-time work (at least 30 hours per week), unless the job has significant constraints that warrant a lower number of hours;
- Employment that is insurable under the Employment Insurance Act;
- Be employment that complies with the Act respecting labor standards’ minimal working conditions and is not likely to jeopardize your health, safety, or integrity.
Apply for the Bonus
You will immediately get a letter and a form to apply for a job maintenance bonus eleven months after stopping to receive benefits from the Social Assistance Program, the Social Solidarity Program, or the Aim for Employment Program due to your work income.
Then, within 45 calendar days at the conclusion of the 12-month period in which you were engaged without interruption, you must give them your application. The days that follow each other are referred to as calendar days, regardless of whether they are statutory holidays, Saturdays, or Sundays. Working days are Monday through Friday, whereas calendar days are Sunday through Saturday.
Applying for a Bonus During a Public Health Emergency
Due to the public health emergency created by the COVID-19 epidemic, the work period rules may be reduced.
Even though the 12-month total necessary was influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. You may be eligible for the bonus if the projected end date of your 12 consecutive months of full-time employment occurs during the public health emergency announced on March 13, 2020.
You must submit your application within 45 days. Of the day on which your 12-month period of full-time employment was supposed to expire.
If your job is anticipated to conclude on May 27, 2020. For example, you must submit your application by July 11, 2020.
With your application, you must include the following documents:
- The first pay stub during the time of employment.
- Pay stub from the most recent period.
An official worker receives and reviews your bonus application with the accompanying documents. They will contact you to fill any missing information in your file before making a decision.
If you have any issues about the incentive, contact your local Employment Centre or Services Québec office. This link will take you to a new window.
