- An existing order keeps running until it is changed, even if you lose your job.
- Under the 2025 tables, the table amount is $0 when income is below $16,000 a year.
- Employment Insurance counts as income.
- A parent who is out of work by choice can have income imputed.
What the table says at low incomes
The 2025 tables start at $16,000 a year. Below that, the table amount is $0. Above it the amount rises quickly:
| Yearly income | Ontario, 1 child | Alberta, 1 child | BC, 1 child | Ontario, 2 children |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| $18,000 | $106 | $92 | $95 | $150 |
| $20,000 | $128 | $112 | $125 | $237 |
| $25,000 | $184 | $161 | $202 | $442 |
| $30,000 | $240 | $211 | $259 | $501 |
| $35,000 | $284 | $250 | $278 | $534 |
Check any income and province with the calculator.
EI and other benefits
Employment Insurance is part of total income, so support on EI is based on your EI income plus anything else you earn in the year. Social assistance is counted only for the part paid for you personally.
If you lose your job
- Tell the other parent in writing right away. Attach proof, such as your record of employment and your EI statement.
- Ask for a change. Agree on a new amount in writing, use your province’s recalculation service, or apply to court. How to change child support.
- Keep paying what you can. The old amount is still owed until it is changed, and the unpaid part becomes arrears.
- Talk to your enforcement program. Many will work out a payment plan.
The date you give notice matters. A reduction normally goes back only to the date the other parent was told, with documents, and generally not more than three years before a formal application. How past support is handled.
When a court will not lower support
Section 19 of the Guidelines lets a court impute income to a parent who is intentionally under-employed or unemployed. Quitting a job, turning down work or choosing to earn less than you reasonably could can all lead a court to set support as if you were earning more. The exceptions are when the choice is required by a child’s needs or by your own reasonable education or health needs.
When the table amount is still too much
If paying the table amount would cause real hardship, for example because of unusually high debts from the relationship or a legal duty to support other children, a court can consider an undue hardship claim. It is a narrow exception.
Common questions
Do I have to pay child support if I am unemployed in Canada?
An existing order continues until it is changed. If your income has dropped, tell the other parent in writing with proof and ask for a change through an agreement, a recalculation service or the court.
Is there a minimum income for child support in Canada?
Under the 2025 tables, the table amount is $0 when the paying parent’s income is below $16,000 a year.
Does Employment Insurance count as income for child support?
Yes. EI benefits are part of total income on the tax return and are counted.
What if I quit my job?
A court can impute income to a parent who is intentionally unemployed or under-employed, and set support as if the parent were still earning what they reasonably could.
Can arrears be cancelled because I had no income?
Only a court can reduce arrears, and generally only back to the date you gave the other parent notice of the change with documents.
Need a family lawyer?
Every province has a service or directory that helps parents find a family lawyer. Find yours.
Sources
General information only, not legal advice. For your situation, speak with a family lawyer or your province's family justice services.
