What exactly qualifies as social assistance?

[badpusacat]

I just recently sponsored my husband under Spousal Sponsorship and he is now here in Canada with me. We are low income family for 2016 tax assessment so I tried to apply for provincial benefits (extended health coverage and fair entry pass - discount on transit and recreation) for low income family here in Alberta.

I was informed that we are not qualified (me as the applicant) to avail for the extended health coverage (medical services not covered by the province health care) because I sponsored him and I have to wait for 3 years.

I thought social assistance only covers govt benefits which is paid monetary.

Please enlighten me on this matter.

 

[scylla]

It's not limited to direct monetary benefits. Other benefits can fall under the social assistance category as well (it seems to differ from province to province since provinces have different benefits programs). I believe in some provinces housing subsidies can be classified as welfare. If you were refused by the province on these grounds, then it does in fact sound like these benefits are classified as welfare in your province.

 

[badpusacat]

Is there a way to know what qualifies as a social assistance per province?

 

[scylla]

Is there a way to know what qualifies as a social assistance per province?

I'm not aware of an actual list. I think it's probably safe to assume that anything classified as a low income benefit/subsidy (unless it's due to disability) probably falls on the list. But that's just my guess...

 

[mikeymyke]

Is there a way to know what qualifies as a social assistance per province?

Have to contact the appropriate provincial authorities to find out.

In general, if you're receiving benefits or money because you're unable to support or provide for you and your family, then its usually social assistance. Exception is EI or disability

 

[jomz]

I just recently sponsored my husband under Spousal Sponsorship and he is now here in Canada with me. We are low income family for 2016 tax assessment so I tried to apply for provincial benefits (extended health coverage and fair entry pass - discount on transit and recreation) for low income family here in Alberta.

I was informed that we are not qualified (me as the applicant) to avail for the extended health coverage (medical services not covered by the province health care) because I sponsored him and I have to wait for 3 years.

I thought social assistance only covers govt benefits which is paid monetary.

Please enlighten me on this matter.

You were correctly refused. http://www.humanservices.alberta.ca/AWonline/IESA/4092.html In Alberta these items fall under Alberta works and are defined as social assistance.

 

[badpusacat]

I called Alberta Works again and they informed me that my application can still move forward BUT only for me (I'm pregnant). Once my baby comes, he/she is qualified as well. It is only my husband (sponsored person) who will be not be able to avail the benefits.

Does this make sense?

 

[scylla]

I called Alberta Works again and they informed me that my application can still move forward BUT only for me (I'm pregnant). Once my baby comes, he/she is qualified as well. It is only my husband (sponsored person) who will be not be able to avail the benefits.

Does this make sense?

This doesn't really make sense. Benefits are typically assessed from a family perspective and your entire family (not just your husband) must remain off social assistance for three years after he lands. You can certainly proceed and it's possible you may even be approved. However it's also then possible the province may come after you later to repay these funds if they believe you weren't entitled to them as a result of sponsoring your husband.

 

[badpusacat]

This doesn't really make sense. Benefits are typically assessed from a family perspective and your entire family (not just your husband) must remain off social assistance for three years after he lands. You can certainly proceed and it's possible you may even be approved. However it's also then possible the province may come after you later to repay these funds if they believe you weren't entitled to them as a result of sponsoring your husband.

They even asked me to send the "agreement" in CIC application form that I signed as his sponsor. I went thru it and it mentioned only about "sponsored person" nothing for the "sponsor". They said that they need that document to exclude my husband from the application. I am really confuse and hesitant now because I don't want to pay for something in the future.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

They even asked me to send the "agreement" in CIC application form that I signed as his sponsor. I went thru it and it mentioned only about "sponsored person" nothing for the "sponsor". They said that they need that document to exclude my husband from the application. I am really confuse and hesitant now because I don't want to pay for something in the future.

As already said, social assistance is generally assessed against the family as a whole, so I don't see how they can separate any welfare benefits for just you.