Changes to a family situation
Since January 2007, parents must now notify Retraite Québec if one of the following things happens:
- A change in custody or shared custody
- An adoption
- Leaving Quebec
- A change in the conjugal situation
- A marriage or a civil union
- A conjugal union
- A separation (legal or conjugal)
- A dissolved union
- A divorce
- A child moving out of the family home
- A change in one’s Canadian citizenship (Canadian citizen, permanent resident, temporary resident, protected person)
- The arrival of a family in Quebec
- Changes to a parent’s custody time
Retraite Québec must be notified of any changes as soon as possible to be able to re-evaluate the amount of money you’re entitled to.
Useful tips
- Child assistance payments aren’t taxable;
- Payment amounts are recalculated in July of each year;
- Annual amounts are divided into four payments deposited in January, April, July and October. You can, however, request monthly deposits
- Since each child assistance payment calculation takes into account the total family income reported to Revenu Québec, an income tax declaration must be filed each year, even if one or both spouses had no income;
- Two people are considered “legally separated” if it’s lasted more than 90 days. You must wait until that point before notifying Retraite Québec.
- Two people are considered “conjugal spouses” if they’ve been living together for at least 12 consecutive months. However, they’re automatically considered spouses if a birth or an adoption has resulted from their union.
To learn more, visit the Retraite Québec’s website.
Information updated: Sept. 15, 2016
