- The Canada Child Benefit goes to the person primarily responsible for the child's care, and in true shared care (40% to 60% each) both parents apply and each gets 50%.
- The CRA says to report a separation only after more than 90 days apart, while a marital status change is generally reported by the end of the month after the month it changed, so check how those timings fit your dates.
- The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit replaced the GST/HST credit in July 2026 and only one spouse or partner gets it for a couple.
When a relationship ends, household income and care arrangements change quickly. The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is often one of the first things parents worry about: who gets it, whether it drops, and what to tell the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
This article explains how the CCB generally works after separation in Ontario, how shared parenting time affects it, and when a change needs to be reported. Your own numbers depend on your income and your child's living arrangements, so treat this as a guide to the rules, not a calculation.
Who receives the CCB when parents separate
The CCB goes to the person primarily responsible for the child's care and upbringing. When two parents live with the child, the female parent is presumed to be primarily responsible. Once you live apart, the question becomes where the child actually lives and who looks after the child day to day.
If the child lives mainly with one parent, that parent is generally the one who applies. If care is truly shared, a different rule applies, covered in the next section.
- Child mainly in one home: the parent primarily responsible for care is the one who receives the benefit.
- Care shared fairly evenly: both parents may apply, with each getting a share.
- Child mostly with the other parent: you may not be eligible for the CCB for that child.
Shared care: the 40% to 60% rule
When a child spends between 40% and 60% of the time with each parent, both should apply for the CCB. Each parent gets 50% of what they would get with full custody, calculated on their own adjusted family net income. A parent with the child less than 40% of the time is not eligible.
| Time with you | How the CCB works |
|---|---|
| Less than 40% | Not eligible for the CCB |
| 40% to 60% | Apply; you get 50% of the full amount, based on your own income |
| Primary care | The parent primarily responsible for the child's care receives the benefit |
If your shared custody situation changes, you must notify the CRA. Whether a change in your schedule affects your eligibility depends on your situation, so it is worth confirming with the CRA or an accountant.
What the amounts look like
For July 2026 to June 2027, based on 2025 adjusted family net income, the maximum CCB is $8,157 per year ($679.75 per month) for each child under 6, and $6,883 per year ($573.58 per month) for each child aged 6 to 17. Reductions start above an adjusted family net income of $38,237.
These amounts are indexed and change every July, so the figures above apply only to that benefit year. Your actual payment depends on your income and on whether care is shared, so use the CRA's calculator or your notice of determination for the real number.
When and how to tell the CRA
The CRA says to report a separation only after you have been separated for more than 90 days because of a breakdown in the relationship. The effective date of your separated status is the day you started living apart.
The CRA's general timing for a marital status change is the end of the month after the month the status changed. You can report it through your CRA account, by phone at 1-800-959-8281, or by mailing Form RC65, Marital Status Change. Any benefit adjustment starts the month after the status changed. How this timing fits with the 90-day guidance for separations depends on your dates, so it is worth confirming with the CRA or an accountant.
Reconciliation matters too. For CRA purposes, the 12 continuous months of living together needed to be common-law partners includes any period you were separated for less than 90 days because of a relationship breakdown.
Other benefits that change
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) replaced the GST/HST credit in July 2026. Only one spouse or partner gets it for a couple, and each eligible parent in a shared custody arrangement may get half of the CGEB for that child. If you see older material that mentions the GST/HST credit, it is out of date.
The Ontario sales tax credit is not paid with the CGEB. It is issued separately as part of the Ontario trillium benefit.
What to do next
- Write down the date you started living apart and where the children spend their time.
- Note whether your parenting schedule is closer to 40% to 60% each or mostly with one parent.
- Confirm with the CRA or an accountant when to report your separation: the CRA says to report only after more than 90 days apart, the effective date is the day you started living apart, and a status change is reported by the end of the month after the month it changed.
- Update the CRA if the shared custody arrangement changes later.
- Ask a lawyer or accountant how the benefits interact with child support in your situation.
Frequently asked questions
Can both parents get the Canada Child Benefit?
Yes, in shared custody. When a child spends between 40% and 60% of the time with each parent, both should apply and each gets 50% of the amount they would get with full custody, based on their own income.
Do I have to report a separation right away?
The CRA says to report a separation only after you have been separated for more than 90 days because of a breakdown in the relationship, and the effective date is the day you started living apart. A marital status change is generally reported by the end of the month after the month the status changed. How those two timings fit your situation is worth confirming with the CRA or an accountant.
How do I report my new marital status?
You can use your CRA account, phone 1-800-959-8281, or mail Form RC65, Marital Status Change.
What if my parenting schedule changes later?
Parents must notify the CRA if their shared custody situation changes. Your eligibility can change if your share of time falls below 40% or moves into the 40% to 60% range.
Sources
- CRA – Marital status — canada.ca
- CRA – Change your marital status — canada.ca
- CRA – RC4210 Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit — canada.ca
- CRA – Canada child benefit: Before you apply — canada.ca
- CRA – How we calculate your CCB — canada.ca
Links go to official government, court and regulator pages. The law changes — confirm you are reading the current version.
This is a family law question
Start a file online — flat, published fees, reviewed by a licensed lawyer before a dollar is owed.