Changes to Child Assistance in 2007

Various changes will come into effect as of January 2007 in order to better adapt child assistance to the realities of Québec families.

Births

As of 1 January 2007, all births will be automatically signed up for the child assistance program. The Québec Registrar of Civil Status will notify the Régie des rentes du Québec of each child's birth.

Shared custody

Currently, parents who share custody of a child equally during the month can each receive a portion of the child assistance payments. Payments for the child in shared custody are made to one parent for 6 or 12 months and then to the other for the same amount of time.

As of 1 January 2007, in all cases of shared custody already known to the Régie, both parents will be paid child assistance without interruption. The annual amount for each child will be the same as before but the payments will be spread over the entire year, according to the payment frequency (monthly or quarterly) already chosen by each parent.

Calculation of child assistance in cases of shared custody

The child assistance amount payable to each parent for a given month is calculated according to the following 4 steps:

• Calculate the total amount for all the children
• Calculate the amount for children in sole custody
• Calculate the amount for the children in 50% shared custody (amount determined in step 1 less the amount determined in step 2)
• Determine the total child assistance payment (result of step 2 plus result of step 3

The Calcul@ide simulation tool can be used to estimate the payments that will be made.

Change in family situation

As of 1 January 2007, parents must inform the Régie des rentes du Québec of any of the following changes in their family situation.

• Change of custody
• Shared custody
• Adoption
• Departure from Québec
• Change in conjugal status:
  • Marriage or civil union
  • De facto (common law) union
  • Dissolution of union
  • Divorce
• A child who leaves the family
• Change in personal status in Canada : Canadian citizen, permanent resident, temporary resident, protected person (refugee)
• A family's arrival in Québec
• Change in a child's custody time in the family

This information is important because it allows us to correctly calculate the amount to which you are entitled.

A person is considered to be de facto separated (without a judgment) if his or her separation has lasted at least 90 days. You must wait until that time has passed before notifying the Régie.

Two spouses are considered to be de facto (common law) spouses if they have lived together for at least 12 consecutive months. However, they are automatically considered to be de facto spouses if a child is born of their union or they adopt a child.