The fact that a couple live together may entitle one or both of them to certain benefits paid by from the federal or provincial government if as long as they also qualify as ''spouses'' or ''common-law partners'' under the applicable the legislation and rules and legislationgoverning those benefits. It can also expose them spouses to the prospect of losing those certain benefits, most notably importantly social assistance paymentsbenefits.

The ministry that administers the ''[http://canlii.ca/t/84l7 Employment and Assistance Act]'' and is responsible for social assistance often treats anyone living together as a couple as being in a spousal relationship, whether you are or aren'tin that kind of relationship. This will may decrease, and sometimes cancelterminate, your benefit entitlement to benefits under what's known as the "spouse in the house" rule. As soon as you and your partner — — or the person the ministry claims is your partner — — stop living together, the ministry will usually return revert to treating you as single.

Unmarried spouses may share in each other's accumulated CPP credits, however this sharing is not automatic. You must have to apply to equalize your CPP credits with and your spouse's CPP credits. That This application must be made within 48 months of the date of separation unless both parties consent agree in writing to waive the 48-month time limit.

There Unmarried spouses may be positive income tax consequences if you elect to also share a any CPP pension benefits that is are currently being paid out. (There may be good income tax consequences if doing this reduces your taxable income.) You will should be eligible to share your pension payments if you have been living together as a couple for at least one year and you are both at least 60 years old.

The Old Age Security Pension is available to people who are at least 65 years old. You may be entitled to receive the amount for a couple , rather than the amount for two single people, as well as other benefits like the spouse allowance and survivor's benefits, if you have been living together as a couple for at least one year.

===MSP rates, and medical and dental benefits===

The Medical Services Plan will cover your partner on your plan without any minimum limit on the length of time you've been living together, although you must have signed your partner up on the plan and must agree to pay the family rate rather than the rate for single rateadults.

If you or your partner receive any workplace medical or dental insurance coverage, check with the plan administrator to see if unmarried couples spouses are eligible beneficiaries under your plan. Most of the time they are.