If your family situation changes during the year

What happens to the Family Allowance payment?

Retraite Québec recalculates the amount of your Family Allowance payment. The new calculation leads to 1 of the following 3 situations:

  • The payment stays the same.
  • Retraite Québec has to make retroactive payments to you.
  • You owe amounts to Retraite Québec.

Any changes in payment will be adjusted retroactively to the 1st day of the month following the change in family situation.

In the case of a de facto separation

You can be deemed to be separated only after the separation has lasted at least 90 days. You must wait until then to notify Retraite Québec. However, you will be considered to be separated as of the actual date of your separation. Any notification made before the end of the 90-day period will not be considered.

Example
If you have been separated since 6 January, you must wait until 6 April, or 90 days later, before informing Retraite Québec of the change in family situation. The Family Allowance payment will be adjusted retroactively to 1 February and paid to the person or persons who provide for the child's needs.

In cases of shared custody

Family Allowance payments are made to both parents, according to the payment frequency (quarterly or monthly) chosen by each parent. If you were not already receiving Family Allowance payments when shared custody began, you must file an Application for Family Allowance Payments to receive the amounts to which you are entitled.

Retraite Québec considers that a child is in shared custody if he or she resides with each parent between 40% and 60% of the time each month.

Filling an application...


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