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Quebec Health Card, Licence and Benefits

A plain-language guide to the main Quebec services: renewing your Quebec Health Insurance Card (RAMQ), renewing your driver's licence, and the provincial benefits paid with your federal benefits.

By Fact-checked by Samuel Athur

Last verified How we check our facts

At a glance

ServiceIn short
Health cardRAMQ card, renewed at a SAAQ outlet with your notice
Driver's licenceSAAQ; fees paid every year, card renewed with a new photo
BenefitsFamily Allowance from Retraite Québec (not the CRA)

Health card

The RAMQ mails a renewal notice about 3 months before your Health Insurance Card expires. Book an appointment at a SAAQ service outlet, bring the notice and have your photo taken. If your card has been expired more than 6 months, renewal costs $25 plus the photo. Full guide: How to Renew Your Quebec Health Insurance Card (RAMQ).

Driver's licence

In Quebec you pay your driver's licence fees and insurance contribution every year, using the payment notice the SAAQ mails before your birthday. You can pay through your bank or SAAQclic. Every few years you also renew the card itself in person at a SAAQ outlet, with a new photo. Full guide: Quebec Driver's Licence Renewal: Annual Fees and New Photo.

Provincial benefits

Quebec runs most of its own programs. The main family benefit, the Family Allowance, is paid by Retraite Québec, not the CRA. You don't need to apply: declaring your child's birth to the Directeur de l'état civil registers the child automatically.

Quebec residents also file a separate provincial tax return with Revenu Québec, in addition to the federal return to the CRA.

Related

How to Renew Your Quebec Health Insurance Card (RAMQ) The RAMQ mails a renewal notice about 3 months before your Health Insurance Card expires. Book an appointment at a SAAQ service outlet, bring the notice and have your photo taken. If your card has been expired more than 6 months, renewal costs $25 plus the photo. Quebec Driver's Licence Renewal: Annual Fees and New Photo In Quebec you pay your driver's licence fees and insurance contribution every year, using the payment notice the SAAQ mails before your birthday. You can pay through your bank or SAAQclic. Every few years you also renew the card itself in person at a SAAQ outlet, with a new photo. Provincial Services in Canada: Health Cards, Licences, Benefits Plain-language guides to renewing your health card and driver's licence in each of Canada's 10 provinces, and the provincial benefits paid along with your federal benefits. Canada Child Benefit (CCB): How Much You Get in 2026-2027 From July 2026 to June 2027, the Canada child benefit pays up to $8,157 a year ($679.75 a month) for each child under 6 and up to $6,883 a year ($573.58 a month) for each child aged 6 to 17. You get the full amount if your 2025 adjusted family net income is $38,237 or less; above that it is reduced.

Sources

North Help Desk is an independent guide, not a government website. Rules, amounts and phone hours can change; always confirm on the official page before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.