First, what is involuntary separation?
Implemented by the federal government, it is a procedure that provides financial assistance in situations where two seniors, married or common-law, have to live apart for reasons beyond their control. For example, when one of the spouses must live in a CHSLD, while the other continues to live at home. Involuntary separation will then be implemented if the fees related to the CHSLD place the person in a difficult financial situation. In this example, the involuntary separation would allow the couple to obtain an amount higher than the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) program.