If you move, you must make your change of address as soon as possible.
Steps to take in the event of a separation
Steps to take with Retraite Québec
Family Allowance payments are made by Retraite Québec to provide assistance to families with a dependent child or children under age 18. The measure includes the Family Allowance payment, the Supplement for the Purchase of School Supplies, the Supplement for Handicapped Children and the Supplement for Handicapped Children Requiring Exceptional Care.
Following a separation, you must take steps in order to update your personal file. This step makes it possible to offer each eligible parent his or her portion of the Family Allowance payment, but also to avoid a parent from having to repay overpayments following a change in the family situation.
The Family Allowance amount
The amount of Family Allowance varies from one family to another.
It is calculated based on the following:
- the number of children under age 18 who are living with you
- the number of children in shared custody or in sole custody
- the conjugal status (with or without a spouse)
- the family income, which is calculated based on one of the following situations:
- combined income of the 2 parents who form a couple
- combined income of the 2 spouses who form a blended family
- the parent's personal income in the case of a single‑parent family.
Consult the Family Allowance section for more information on the eligibility for this financial assistance, the calculation of the granted amount and the payment methods.
Are you eligible?
Determine your type of custody using the Custody time estimation tool to find out whether you could be eligible for Family Allowance.
Select your current situation to find out which steps to take:
Sole custody
You have custody more than 60% of the time
You maintain your eligibility for Family Allowance.
You must update the information regarding your conjugal situation. In the case of a de facto separation, in order for it to be recognized, it must be shown that cohabitation has ceased for at least 90 days. That is, either:- both persons no longer live at the same address;
- or at least one of the two persons can show, with proof deemed acceptable, his or her intention to end the union.
- Wait until the end of that period before declaring your new conjugal situation.
- If you move, you must make your change of address as soon as possible.
- You do not have to take any steps to inform us of the sole custody of your child.
- The amount of your payments will be recalculated based on your new family income once your de facto separation is recognized. At that time, you may receive a retroactive payment and obtain the equivalent of the amounts you should have received at the time of your separation. You can obtain an estimate of the amount using the CalculAide tool.
Shared custody
You have custody between 40% and 60% of the time
You maintain your eligibility for Family Allowance.
You must update the information regarding your conjugal situation. In the case of a de facto separation, in order for it to be recognized, it must be shown that cohabitation has ceased for at least 90 days. That is, either:- both persons no longer live at the same address;
- or at least one of the two persons can show, with proof deemed acceptable, his or her intention to end the union.
- Wait until the end of that period before declaring your new conjugal situation.
- If you move, you must make your change of address as soon as possible.
- You must inform us by telephone of the date on which shared custody begins.
- The amount of your payments will be recalculated based on your new family income once your de facto separation is recognized. At that time, you may receive a retroactive payment and obtain the equivalent of the amounts you should have received at the time of your separation. You can obtain an estimate of the amount using the CalculAide tool.
Reduced custody
You have custody less than 40% of the time
- You are no longer eligible for Family Allowance.
An eligible parent must have custody of the child more than 40% of the time in order to receive his or her portion of Family Allowance payments. - You must inform us by telephone as soon as possible to avoid having to repay overpayments following a change in your family situation.
Sole custody
You have custody more than 60% of the time
You are eligible for Family Allowance.
You must file an Application for Family Allowance Payments, but only once you and your former spouse have different civic addresses.While waiting for your application to be processed, you can obtain an estimate of your Family Allowance amount using the CalculAide tool.
The amount of your payments will be recalculated based on your new family income once your de facto separation is recognized. To do so, it must be shown that cohabitation has ceased for at least 90 days. That is, either:
- both persons no longer live at the same address;
- or at least one of the two persons can show, with proof deemed acceptable, his or her intention to end the union.
Once your de facto separation is recognized, you may receive a retroactive payment and obtain the equivalent of the amounts you should have received at the time of your separation. You can obtain an estimate of the amount using the CalculAide tool.
Shared custody
You have custody between 40% and 60% of the time
You are eligible for Family Allowance.
You must file an Application for Family Allowance Payments, but only once you and your former spouse have different civic addresses.While waiting for your application to be processed, you can obtain an estimate of your Family Allowance amount using the CalculAide tool.
The amount of your payments will be recalculated based on your new family income once your de facto separation is recognized. To do so, it must be shown that cohabitation has ceased for at least 90 days. That is, either:
- both persons no longer live at the same address;
- or at least one of the two persons can show, with proof deemed acceptable, his or her intention to end the union.
Once your de facto separation is recognized, you may receive a retroactive payment and obtain the equivalent of the amounts you should have received at the time of your separation. You can obtain an estimate of the amount using the CalculAide tool.
Reduced custody
You have custody less than 40% of the time
- You are not eligible for Family Allowance.
An eligible parent must have custody of the child more than 40% of the time in order to receive his or her portion of Family Allowance payments.
The notion of spouse can vary depending on applicable laws, government programs and various pension plans. Consult the Understanding the notion of spouse and the types of unions in Québec section.
Married or civilly united spouses can partition their employment earnings recorded under the Québec Pension Plan and their benefits accrued under a pension plan. It is the case where there is a separation from bed and board (legal separation), divorce, nullity of marriage, dissolution or nullity of the civil union.
Couples whose de facto union is recognized may also partition their employment earnings recorded under the Québec Pension Plan and their benefits accrued under a pension plan by entering into an agreement to that effect.
Pension plans
Québec Pension Plan
DescriptionQuébec's public and mandatory plan
Who to contactRetraite Québec
Public-sector pension plans
DescriptionPension plans for employees in the Québec health and social services sector, the education sector and the public service sector (RREGOP, PPMP, etc.)
Who to contactRetraite Québec
Pension plans of the private, municipal and university sectors
DescriptionSupplemental pension plans offered by the employer
Who to contactPlan administrator
The three steps for partition of the benefits accrued under a pension plan
Request an assessment
You can request, at any time, an assessment for partition of the benefits accrued under a pension plan, in the event of a separation.
A person thinking about renouncing partition should take this step, which allows him or her to make an informed decision.
Request for partition to be carried out
You can officially request for partition of the benefits accrued under a pension plan to be carried out if you are separating.
The type of union will determine the steps to take.
Please select your type of union in the following table.
Receive a confirmation
Once the process has been completed, you will receive a written confirmation from the pension plan administrator.
Each person concerned by the partition process will receive a detailed and personalized letter.
Types of unions and the steps to take
You were married or in a civil union
Civil union and marriage (civil or religious) are solemn acts for which two people publicly express their free and informed consent to live together and to respect the obligations and rights associated with this civil status.
Unlike marriage, a civil union is only valid in Quebec. The civil union was created in 2002, to allow the union of same-sex spouses. It still exists, although marriage has been possible for same-sex couples since 2005.
You were in a de facto union
A de facto union exists when a couple lives together and whether or not they start a family.
Therefore, these two people are de facto spouses, meaning they cohabit without being married or in a civil union.
The recognition of a union and the definition of a de facto spouse can vary from one program to another, based on the number of years of cohabitation or if a child is born from this union.
Steps to take with the government
Québec.ca suggests the When a couple separates guide.
The guide provides information on separation, divorce, family mediation and support payments. It also outlines the steps to take with government departments and agencies.
Canada.ca suggests the table of benefits per family situation .
The table allows you to determine whether you are eligible for the Canada child benefit, the goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit and the provincial and territorial programs. Do not forget to contact the Canada Revenue Agency to notify them of the change in conjugal status, because it has an impact on your taxes and family benefits.
Legal and psychosocial information
JuridiQC has a website on separation and divorce .
The website provides you with a resource directory of legal, psychological and financial professionals. You will also find a list of free or low-cost resources. Check out the information gathered under 5 topics:
- home, property, money
- children
- adjusting to a separation
- mediation
- Court
- Joint Divorce Help Tool.