URGENT. 80 days since CIC received our application

[rojiyo]

Our application for Spouse Sponsorship was received at the office at the end of May 2015. It as been in processing since the beginning of July 2015. I contacted the CIC and they advised me that they sent out a letter in August requesting information from social security because they noticed I was receiving welfare benefits in the year of 2014. I was just wondering if being on welfare (social assistance) for a few months would cause them to refuse our application. I submitted my Option C print out and stopped receiving assistance in March 2014, so I was only on assistance in 2014 for 3 months. I have been currently employed since. I am very discouraged as waiting just to receive this letter from social security is going to cause at least a 2 month delay. Also, I am now worried that my application will be refused all together.

Thanks for any comment!!!

 

[taffy7]

They sent the letter to Social Security or you? If they are waiting for a reply it will delay your application. They need to be sure that you have been removed from the list . Better to have a delayed application than a refused one.

 

[rojiyo]

They sent the letter to Social Security or you? If they are waiting for a reply it will delay your application. They need to be sure that you have been removed from the list . Better to have a delayed application than a refused one.

Thank you.
They sent the letter to Social Security, so I guess they are waiting for the reply. Do you know how i can know if I'm out of the list?

 

[taffy7]

I would be calling them myself to make sure they have taken you off the list .

 

[mikeymyke]

You're supposed to call them and ask them to remove you off the welfare list, despite you going off welfare by yourself. This is very important because many people here got refused even though they went off welfare, simply because they did not call to be removed from the welfare list officially.

 

[michelfoucault]

Would you just contact your local welfare office to find out this information?

 

[rojiyo]

You're supposed to call them and ask them to remove you off the welfare list, despite you going off welfare by yourself. This is very important because many people here got refused even though they went off welfare, simply because they did not call to be removed from the welfare list officially.

Thanks for the reply!!!
So, I just need to call my local welfare office (social assistance) and ask them if I'm in the list, if so, ask to remove me?? Or I should contact with an specific office/department? Thank you!!!

 

[taffy7]

Just call if you get the wrong department they will direct you to the right department .. You need to clear this up asap ...

 

[Gemmie]

It odd that would they keep you on a list from more then a year ago. I believe that CIC is just
checking up to make sure you haven't received welfare since you applied.
Its taking a long time for me also because I am on ODSP. Its been 76 days , and apparently they
sent the inquiry to Social Security *their word not mine* on July 24th.

The only thing that will come back from welfare is that you have not received anything from them since
2014 which should definitely not bar you from sponsoring, but that it takes 2 months for this inquiry
is ridiculous because they do check this for everyone anyways I was told. But also I was told 2 months.
Ridiculous....

 

[Ontariobat]

It odd that would they keep you on a list from more then a year ago. I believe that CIC is just
checking up to make sure you haven't received welfare since you applied.
Its taking a long time for me also because I am on ODSP. Its been 76 days , and apparently they
sent the inquiry to Social Security *their word not mine* on July 24th.

The only thing that will come back from welfare is that you have not received anything from them since
2014 which should definitely not bar you from sponsoring, but that it takes 2 months for this inquiry
is ridiculous because they do check this for everyone anyways I was told. But also I was told 2 months.
Ridiculous....

That's odd. My wife who is on ODSP and another member here who is on ODSP had no problems flying through the SA stage. Were you ever on social assistance for something that isn't considered a disability? Like EI? Or are you on ODSP temporarily?

Being on social assistance (for reasons of disability) as sponsor shouldn't affect your ability to sponsor. But as an applicant, that's a different story. CIC wants to make sure the people they allow into the country will not go on social assistance. Personally, as an applicant, I ended up having to show all my financials and work history because they sent me a letter that said I 'may not be able to or willing to support myself'.

Rojiyo, I would be looking for work quick (and send an employer letter), and compile your past financials to show that you can support yourself. If they've sent an inquiry to Social Security I would imagine they would ask you the same they asked of me. I've never been on social assistance myself.

EDIT: Sorry Rojiyo, I misread what you wrote as saying you had been UNemployed since. Ignore this previous paragraph.

 

[Gemmie]

That's odd. My wife who is on ODSP and another member here who is on ODSP had no problems flying through the SA stage. Were you ever on social assistance for something that isn't considered a disability? Like EI? Or are you on ODSP temporarily?

Being on social assistance (for reasons of disability) as sponsor shouldn't affect your ability to sponsor. But as an applicant, that's a different story. CIC wants to make sure the people they allow into the country will not go on social assistance. Personally, as an applicant, I ended up having to show all my financials and work history because they sent me a letter that said I 'may not be able to or willing to support myself'.

Rojiyo, I would be looking for work quick (and send an employer letter), and compile your past financials to show that you can support yourself. If they've sent an inquiry to Social Security I would imagine they would ask you the same they asked of me. I've never been on social assistance myself.

Hi, No I was never on welfare before ODSP. I was self employed. I have been disabled since 2011. My doctors sent in the application and it was approved in 3 months. I continued to work off and on for a few months after but am no longer self employed. I think the problem is with people on ODSP is that they get three months notice of being discontinued for ODSP after a review date and CIC wants to make sure you do not lapse over to welfare after sending in an application for sponsorship.
My husband is very employable , and his work history was sent in with the application. (eight years of it was spent in the military, his job was cyber/data network technician) so there hopefully will be no problems with them wondering if he is unable / or unwilling to support himself but if they require more information, I will have him compile a more thorough financial file for them in case they ask*thanks , didnt think of that *
As well, if he wants to pursue another line of work, he has the GI Bill that pays for 3 years of college and he would get a stipend of around 1500 dollars per month while attending school.
The reason he is not working now , is because when he first came to Canada to visit after he left the military they stopped him at the border in 2013 and denied him to visit because they said he no longer had ties to USA. So he has a name hit and we are worried that now that we are legally married and applying for PR , that he will get stopped from visiting me. He has been pulled into the border for checks frequently ever since. So he is staying in Canada with me while applying outland.

( we did let them know that he was denied entry to Canada for not having enough ties to the USA one time on his application for PR and sent a letter stating why, what actions were taken to show ties and that he has traveled to Canada 3 times a week since then until we got married in Feb 2015) But darn it ,that name hit.. is a pain in butt.....

 

[Ontariobat]

Ugh, that stinks! I think you've likely provided enough financials for your husband, Gemmie. You'd think all they'd need to do is call up ODSP and say, "is this person receiving ODSP right now? Are they going off ODSP anytime soon?, etc." I sometimes wonder if some officers have little experience with certain applicant situations.

 

[Gemmie]

I wish they would just pick up the phone and call them, but I hope to hear from them soon.
Its very frustrating , but I am hopeful it will move along soon as the OP just got approved for their
SA just today.
;D