Lineups are forming for asylum seekers who are applying for their first welfare cheques from the Quebec government.

Up to 4,000 asylum seekers are eligible for a payment that supposed to help them get on their feet before their hearing at the immigration and refugee board.

This week they've been making applications at a government office at St. Antoine St. and Peel St., with a lineup frequently reaching around the block.

Adults are eligible for up to $623 per month, which can increase if they have a family to support.

Likewise it will decrease if they have some other means of financial support.

After receiving their cheques, many of which will be distributed beginning Wednesday Aug. 30, people will be asked to move out of the temporary shelters set up for asylum seekers.

The money is meant to help asylum seekers pay for rent and expenses until they can legally begin working – though it is not an easy road.

“If you've never been in this process before, you can be brilliant and have a PhD and be able to take us to the moon and you might not be able to understand this process. It's not obvious,” said refugee advocate Rivka Augenfeld, adding that refugees face additional problems.

Services have been set up to assist people find places to live, and to set up bank accounts and other necessities.

Quebec has asked the federal government to speed up the issuing of work permits.

Wilkens Dorvinus, an asylum seeker from Haiti, came across the border a month ago.

He does not believe $623 will be enough to get him set up in Canada.

"I don't think it's enough but, I don't have trust, because I have $620-something but I'm still happy. I'm not sure what I can do but I'm trying to take care of myself," said Dorvinus.

Asylum seekers go through the same process that Quebecers go through.

“They get a very small amount of welfare. It's the minimum amount,” said Augenfeld.

“You just arrived, you don't even know where to look. What landlord is going to rent to you when you have no bank account, you have no IDs that are satisfying?” she said.

It's the government's job to take care of migrants, said Immigration Minister Kathleen Weil.

“These are international conventions and obligations. Canada has signed on and Quebec adheres to these principles. These people need this help,” she said.