Separation and divorce guide
Canada-wide
What it is
Benefits, tax credits, and support programs to review when your household changes.
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Worth checking when marital status, custody, or household income has changed.
Canadian benefits timeline: ages, deadlines and life stages
See when payment dates, application windows and programs become worth checking as ages and life situations change. For learning only — not a personal eligibility decision.
Program summaries and timing markers come from official government sources and may change. Confirm details on the linked pages before you act.
Optionally choose a province or territory to show local programs alongside Canada-wide ones. Nothing is selected by default. Federal programs always stay visible.
Now showing all of Canada.
Separation or divorce
When you separate or divorce, review child benefits, GST/HST credit, housing help, and provincial programs for your new household.
Start here
Up to three high-value first steps in this section.
Canada Child Benefit
Canada-wideFamilies with children under 18What it is
CRA may recalculate CCB when custody or household income changes after separation.
Check this if
Review when children live in a new household or custody arrangement changes.
Housing and essentials navigator
Canada-wideLower-income householdsWhat it is
Rent help, shelter contacts, and municipal programs if your living situation changed.
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Useful when income dropped or you need a new place to live after separating.
More to consider
Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB)
Canada-wideLower-income householdsWhat it is
GST/HST credit amounts depend on household income and marital status on your tax return.
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May change when you move from coupled to single status on your return.
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Optional — prioritize cards that match your situation. Nothing is hidden.
Timeline transition dates and program summaries last reviewed 2026-08-26 against linked official sources. Amounts and rules change — confirm on official sites.
This page shows when programs become relevant to learn about, not whether you qualify or how much you would receive. Use the quiz or linked guides for specifics.