Sponsorship and social Assistance...

[yumeryuu]

Hey guys, sad to say that my husband's visa is still under process...
I am his sponsor but I have run out of money. Honestly, I came to canada last year with a good savings. I became pregnant and now no one will hire me. My husband is on a visitor visa waiting. So we ended up living off our savings. Rent, gas, groceries and other expenses such as car and car insurance, winter tires, summer tires... the list goes on...

Can I apply for social assistance? I haven't got enough hours (600) needed for Employment insurance. If I was on welfare, can I still be his sponsor? I've already been accepted (September 2012), but my circumstances have changed. Of course I want to still be his sponsor, but immigration has been dragging on so long that even though I have written them and asked to please speed it up due to the fact I am supposed to have my child in May, I get no word from them...

I'm honestly frightened now.

 

[scylla]

Unfortunately being on social assistance disqualifies you as a sponsor. So if you take social assistance and CIC finds out, the application will be refused.

It sounds like your application has gone way beyond normal processing times. Maybe it would be a good idea to contact your MP?

 

[SenoritaBella]

Please don't go on social assistance. Eventhough you have already been approved to sponsor, you have to continue to meet the requirements for sponsorship till the end of the process. So if you collect welfare now, you are no longer eligible to be a sponsor and CIC will reject the application.

Have you tried finding work you can do from home? Are you able to babysit or do housework work for pay? If you find such work, be sure to claim the income on your taxes.

There are many immigrant settlement programs that provide assistance, some cater to immigrant women who are pregnant. Search for some in your city and go there for support. These programs are usually free because the gov't provides the funds.