Life-event guide · Household change
Separation and divorce benefits guide
When you separate or divorce, household income, custody arrangements, and living situations can change. This guide lists government benefits, tax credits, and services you may need to review. It is not legal advice.
Separation can change Canada Child Benefit payments, GST/HST credit amounts, provincial child benefits, childcare subsidies, housing help, and tax filing. Use the steps below to see what to review for your new household.
Start here
What to do first
These steps help you update government records and rerun your benefit picture for the new household.
- Step 1Update CRA when your status changesNotify the CRA about marital status, address, or banking changes that affect benefit payments.Go to section
- Step 2Rerun the benefits quizSee which federal and provincial programs may fit your new household income and composition.Go to section
- Step 3Review benefits that may changeCCB, GST/HST credit, and provincial top-ups may be recalculated when household details change.Go to section
- Step 4Check housing and essentials helpRent assistance, shelter contacts, and municipal programs if your living situation changed.Go to section
- Step 5Find legal aid and family justice infoOfficial provincial resources for legal aid, court information, and publicly funded mediation.Go to section
- Step 6Review child benefit arrangementsShared custody and living arrangements can affect who receives CCB and how much is paid.Go to section
Benefits that may change
These federal programs may be recalculated when household income, marital status, or custody changes. Amounts can go up or down depending on your situation.
- Federal (CRA)May recalculate
Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
CRA may adjust CCB when marital status, custody, or household income changes. Payments are based on last year's tax return and current family details.
- Update CRA when custody or living arrangements change
- Shared custody has specific rules about who receives payments
- Provincial child benefits often follow the same household picture
- Federal (CRA)Household-based
GST/HST credit
This quarterly credit is based on household income and family size. A change from coupled to single status may change the amount CRA pays.
- Usually assessed from your tax return
- Marital status on your return affects the calculation
- Update direct deposit and address in CRA My Account
- Federal (CRA)Time-sensitive
Update marital status with CRA
Tell CRA when you separate, divorce, or reconcile. Benefit payments and tax credits use your marital status as of a specific date each year.
- Separation date matters for benefit calculations
- Update through CRA My Account or by phone
- Also update address and direct deposit if they changed
- Federal (CRA)Custody matters
CCB shared custody rules
When a child lives with each parent at least 40% of the time, each parent may receive half the CCB they would get if the child lived with them full time.
- Based on actual care arrangement, not court orders alone
- Both parents must apply or update their information
- Rules differ from sole custody situations
- Federal (CRA)Tax deduction
Child care expenses deduction
The parent with lower net income usually claims child care expenses. After separation, who can claim may change based on custody and who pays for care.
- Receipts from eligible providers are required
- Provincial childcare subsidies are separate programs
- Quebec uses a separate refundable credit system
- Federal (CRA)Tax credit
Amount for an eligible dependant
A non-refundable tax credit for single parents supporting a child when another parent does not claim the child. Rules depend on custody and support payments.
- Cannot be claimed if you pay child support for the child
- Only one person can claim per dependant
- Filed on your annual tax return
Children and shared custody
Child benefit amounts depend on where the child lives and the care arrangement. MyEligible does not determine custody. Review official rules and update CRA when arrangements change.
- Federal (CRA)May recalculate
Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
CRA may adjust CCB when marital status, custody, or household income changes. Payments are based on last year's tax return and current family details.
- Update CRA when custody or living arrangements change
- Shared custody has specific rules about who receives payments
- Provincial child benefits often follow the same household picture
- Federal (CRA)Custody matters
CCB shared custody rules
When a child lives with each parent at least 40% of the time, each parent may receive half the CCB they would get if the child lived with them full time.
- Based on actual care arrangement, not court orders alone
- Both parents must apply or update their information
- Rules differ from sole custody situations
- Federal (CRA)Tax deduction
Child care expenses deduction
The parent with lower net income usually claims child care expenses. After separation, who can claim may change based on custody and who pays for care.
- Receipts from eligible providers are required
- Provincial childcare subsidies are separate programs
- Quebec uses a separate refundable credit system
Ontario child care fee subsidy
Fee subsidy for eligible families using licensed child care. Income and custody details affect eligibility.
Official program pageHousing and essentials
If income dropped or you need a new place to live, local housing help, rent assistance, and 211 referrals may apply.
Housing and essentials navigator
Search your province and city for rent banks, shelter contacts, transit passes, and municipal fee assistance.
Income and work changes
If separation caused job loss or a sharp income drop, provincial income assistance, childcare subsidy, and tax credits may be worth reviewing. Separation alone does not create EI eligibility.
Check benefits for your new household
See which federal and provincial programs may fit your new household income and composition.
Taxes and CRA updates
Marital status, dependants, and address changes can affect benefit payments and tax credits. Update CRA when your situation changes.
- Federal (CRA)Household-based
GST/HST credit
This quarterly credit is based on household income and family size. A change from coupled to single status may change the amount CRA pays.
- Usually assessed from your tax return
- Marital status on your return affects the calculation
- Update direct deposit and address in CRA My Account
- Federal (CRA)Time-sensitive
Update marital status with CRA
Tell CRA when you separate, divorce, or reconcile. Benefit payments and tax credits use your marital status as of a specific date each year.
- Separation date matters for benefit calculations
- Update through CRA My Account or by phone
- Also update address and direct deposit if they changed
Legal help and family justice
Publicly funded legal aid, family court information, and mediation services vary by province. These links go to official government resources only.
Legal Aid Ontario
Free or low-cost legal help for eligible residents in family, criminal, immigration, and housing matters.
Official program pageOntario family justice services
Information on separation, divorce, child support, and court processes from the Ministry of the Attorney General.
Official program pageCheck benefits for your new household
Rerun the quiz with your updated marital status, income, and children to see federal and provincial programs that may apply.
Common questions
Official sources
Last reviewed for this tool: 2026-08-13. Amounts may change.
Last reviewed: August 2026 · 2026-08-13