I applied as a refugee and got accepted. I have some decent savings where I live. My problem is that when I land in Canada I have to close my bank account here and bring the money with me. I know it is allowed to bring as much money as you want to Canada provided that you declare them. But if I bring my savings, will I be able to ask for financial assistance / welfare from the Canadian government if I can't find a job, which is highly probable? Please don't misunderstand me here. I don't intend to misuse the system but it really doesn't make sense to use up my lifetime's savings for daily expenses. I need to keep my savings for my dark and rainy days. Any advice?
Lifetime's savings
- Thread starter rachbay
- Start date
Assume the answer to your question is no. Savings will negatively impact your ability to obtain welfare.rachbay said:
rachbay said:
Regardless of where you are, you will need to declare your savings if you apply for welfare. Hiding it in order to claim welfare would be fraud.
Every single day in Canada, people lose jobs, get divorced/widowed, develop medical problems etc. and find themselves having to use up their savings to survive. You are no different.
rachbay said:
Hi,
First of all congrats on been accepted, now you have achieve something. If you’re coming to Canada why don’t you bring your saving and start something! We all know you previously worked hard for your saving, but that doesn’t mean you just simply live on welfare! Welfare is only for people who are struggling and whom in real need of support!
Morally it’s wrong doing. But you could still fool the system and do it, at the end it’s what you feel is right to do. Try to find work and support yourself no one is asking you to spend your life-saving. Once you work and earn every dime by yourself, the feeling is different trust me on that one. And once you’re on welfare your mentality change and you became someone else! I have seen with friends here in Canada. And that is just my opinion,,,
So good luck in any decision you take
Ottawa-applicant said:
Thank you for your sweet and encouraging words. However, let me explain my case briefly so you can get a little idea about me:
1. I have already started small businesses 4 times in my life, each in a different kind of business. In all cases I lost everything. That’s why I'm no longer interested in starting any new business and wasting my remaining money, let alone in a country whose laws and regulations I'm totally ignorant of;
2. By the time I land in Canada I'll be 50+. Who is gonna hire an old person?
3. We are a family with small children, so we need every penny we have;
4. And last but not least, I'm a person with special needs!!!
That’s what made me start that thread.
rachbay said:
Your question has already been answered. When you apply for assistance in Canada, you must be honest in declaring any assets you have. If you aren't honest, then you will be committing social assistance fraud which is a crime in Canada. It's quite possible you may still qualify for some sort of assistance even with assets. But you absolutely must be honest about the assets you have if you want to avoid breaking laws.
rachbay said:
1. You don't need to start your own business.
2. 50 isn't old in Canada. You would be able to find a job without issue.
3. The fact that you have small children doesn't mean that you get to keep your savings and live of off Canadians.
4. If you have special needs, you may qualify for assistance based on that.
