Sponsoring disabled person

[tross911]

Hi there - I've seen lots of posts asking about sponsoring someone if YOU are disabled, but I am confused about sponsoring someone if THEY are disabled.

My boyfriend lives in the states, but is currently not receiving any kind of disability benefits. Neither of us have much money (especially him, given his disability), so if I were to bring him up here, it would be imperative that he be able to get assistance as soon as possible here. I am not disabled and work full time.

I was just reading the section about length of undertaking...and I'm wondering if I understand this correctly - he won't be able to receive disability for the 3 year period of undertaking, or if he does, I would have to repay any disability he receives during the 3 year period?

Thanks, any advice you may have would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Naturgrl]

Hi there - I've seen lots of posts asking about sponsoring someone if YOU are disabled, but I am confused about sponsoring someone if THEY are disabled.

My boyfriend lives in the states, but is currently not receiving any kind of disability benefits. Neither of us have much money (especially him, given his disability), so if I were to bring him up here, it would be imperative that he be able to get assistance as soon as possible here. I am not disabled and work full time.

I was just reading the section about length of undertaking...and I'm wondering if I understand this correctly - he won't be able to receive disability for the 3 year period of undertaking, or if he does, I would have to repay any disability he receives during the 3 year period?

Thanks, any advice you may have would be greatly appreciated!!

So to sponsor you must be married or common law. What sort of assistance does he need?

Your obligations as a sponsor
When you agree to be a sponsor, you must sign an undertaking, promising to give financial support for the basic needs of your spouse or partner and their dependent children.
Basic needs are:

• food, clothing, shelter and other needs for everyday living,
• dental care, eye care and other health needs that aren’t covered by public health services.

Before signing the undertaking agreement, you must make sure the people you sponsor won’t need to ask the government for financial help. If they receive social assistance, you’ll have to pay back what they received during the time you are legally responsible for them. You won’t be able to sponsor anyone else until you’ve repaid the amount. For more information, see the Defaults section below.
The undertaking is a binding promise of support, meaning that it is your responsibility to support the applicant(s) for the length of the undertaking period even if your situation changes. The undertaking will stay in effect for the length of the undertaking period, even if your situation changes.

 

[tross911]

So to sponsor you must be married or common law. What sort of assistance does he need?

Your obligations as a sponsor
When you agree to be a sponsor, you must sign an undertaking, promising to give financial support for the basic needs of your spouse or partner and their dependent children.
Basic needs are:

• food, clothing, shelter and other needs for everyday living,
• dental care, eye care and other health needs that aren’t covered by public health services.

Before signing the undertaking agreement, you must make sure the people you sponsor won’t need to ask the government for financial help. If they receive social assistance, you’ll have to pay back what they received during the time you are legally responsible for them. You won’t be able to sponsor anyone else until you’ve repaid the amount. For more information, see the Defaults section below.
The undertaking is a binding promise of support, meaning that it is your responsibility to support the applicant(s) for the length of the undertaking period even if your situation changes. The undertaking will stay in effect for the length of the undertaking period, even if your situation changes.

Thank you, that was the section I was referring to, so I already read that, but thank you for sharing. I realize that we would have to be married or common-law. This whole issue is pivotal in our decision to move forward in our relationship or not, because if the financial implications are pretty much insurmountable, it seems pretty hopeless, regardless of how much we love each other.

He has chronic debilitating migraines and rheumatoid arthritis.

 

[tross911]

So to sponsor you must be married or common law. What sort of assistance does he need?

Your obligations as a sponsor
When you agree to be a sponsor, you must sign an undertaking, promising to give financial support for the basic needs of your spouse or partner and their dependent children.
Basic needs are:

• food, clothing, shelter and other needs for everyday living,
• dental care, eye care and other health needs that aren’t covered by public health services.

Before signing the undertaking agreement, you must make sure the people you sponsor won’t need to ask the government for financial help. If they receive social assistance, you’ll have to pay back what they received during the time you are legally responsible for them. You won’t be able to sponsor anyone else until you’ve repaid the amount. For more information, see the Defaults section below.
The undertaking is a binding promise of support, meaning that it is your responsibility to support the applicant(s) for the length of the undertaking period even if your situation changes. The undertaking will stay in effect for the length of the undertaking period, even if your situation changes.

To clarify...I had already read that section, but was looking for confirmation that I had interpreted it correctly. Can you comment on that?

 

[scylla]

Thank you, that was the section I was referring to, so I already read that, but thank you for sharing. I realize that we would have to be married or common-law. This whole issue is pivotal in our decision to move forward in our relationship or not, because if the financial implications are pretty much insurmountable, it seems pretty hopeless, regardless of how much we love each other.

He has chronic debilitating migraines and rheumatoid arthritis.

He would still qualify for health care of course. But if he takes any social assistance payments during the first three years after landing, you'll be held responsible for repaying them to the government.

 

[Naturgrl]

To clarify...I had already read that section, but was looking for confirmation that I had interpreted it correctly. Can you comment on that?

He can assess healthcare as PR but if he takes social assistance then you would be obligated to pay it back. Getting a family doctor and specialist care may be a challenge. Many people are without a family doctor.

Do you have private healthcare through work for medication/therapy/physio? If not, he would have to pay out of pocket for those things. And for physio/massage, you usually only get so many session or $xx amount of money on private health care.

 

[tross911]

Heartbreaking. I am aware of the options for regular healthcare issues...but I don't make enough to fully support him without him being able to get at least some minimal monthly income assistance. The one-time expenses of application and whatnot would be tough but at least manageable, but not if I have to fully support him for three years without assistance.

 

[scylla]

Heartbreaking. I am aware of the options for regular healthcare issues...but I don't make enough to fully support him without him being able to get at least some minimal monthly income assistance. The one-time expenses of application and whatnot would be tough but at least manageable, but not if I have to fully support him for three years without assistance.

There's really no way around this unfortunately. This rule is in place specifically to avoid the sponsored person from becoming a burden (so to speak) on Canada's social care systems. The requirement (at least for the first three years) is that the applicant either be able to financially support themselves or be financially supported by their sponsor.

You could look into immigrating to the US instead. Maybe this is more feasible for the two of you. The US does require the sponsor to meet minimum income requirements - however you can have a co-sponsor if you don't meet those requirements yourself.

 

[canuck78]

Heartbreaking. I am aware of the options for regular healthcare issues...but I don't make enough to fully support him without him being able to get at least some minimal monthly income assistance. The one-time expenses of application and whatnot would be tough but at least manageable, but not if I have to fully support him for three years without assistance.

Even if he was able to come to Canada there would be no guarantee he would qualify for disability especially immediately and if he isn’t working because he is disabled and you both have minimal funds the application for sponsorship is likely to be denied. The rules for sponsorship are in place to prevent a situation exactly like yours where someone would not be able to work and support the family if the income is required. Agree with others that you going to the US is really your best option.