Payments and support for single parents (Canada)
Reviewed 19 September 2026 · Canada · signposting, not legal or financial advice
The Canada Child Benefit is the federal, tax-free monthly payment for families with children under 18, and it rises for lower incomes, which is why it matters after separation. Provincial income assistance sits alongside it: in Ontario that is Ontario Works.
Tell the Canada Revenue Agency about the separation and who the children live with; the benefit follows the child, and shared care splits it.
Where to get help
Canada Child Benefit (Canada Revenue Agency) Visit › Tax-free monthly payment for eligible families with children under 18. Phone: 1-800-387-1193. Canada Ontario Works Visit › Financial assistance for food and housing in Ontario, applied for online or by phone. Phone: 1-888-999-1142. Canada Legal Aid Ontario Visit › Free advice if a benefit decision goes against you. Phone: 1-800-668-8258. CanadaThe basics in Canada
Sources checked September 2026. Government pages change; the links go to the official page for the latest.
How it usually works
Whatever route you take, a calm shared record helps. ParenThing keeps messages, the calendar, costs and handovers in one private place both parents can see, and your data is held in the EU. See how it works for Canadian families.
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