Dango said:
Hello all, for those of you who are on disability and sponsored or are sponsoring a significant other, do you have any advice on what kinds of information you should include to explain your situation? I know that the CIC does not discriminate against those with disabilities from sponsoring, but I was a little nervous nonetheless and wondered what kinds of information others have included. Do they just require a small paragraph explaining I am on disability but my monthly income is more than enough to meet our basic financial needs, or do they need something more assuring than that? Do I have to tell them what my disability is, or is that irrelevant to them? And so on.
When you are sponsoring a family member to come to Canada, you are required to provide an Option C Printout of your last Notice of Assessment for the most recent taxation year. If you are on disability must you still include the Option-C printout? Or explain that income from employment is zero due to disability?
What are some of your stories, knowledge, advice? Thank you again so much kind people in advance.
A nervous Dango.
Dango, welcome to the forum and do not be nervous, you will do just fine. The answers to some of your questions:
You do not need to disclose the nature of your disability period. You will need to describe how you and your significant other will support yourselves and in this case it is always better to err on the side of caution. There are different types of disability benefits, the typical gov't ones are provincial disability support benefits, Workers comp type benefits (that vary across Canada) and CPP disability. The provincial benefits may include dental and prescription coverage, But I do not think CCP does (not sure). Then if it a private insurance co. disability benefit there may even be a higher monthly income and other supports. These details are all important.
I may be wrong on this but even with disability support, doesn't that show on your option c printout? Even if it does not, include it with the package, if CIC asks for it, give it to them so there is no risk of them calling you or saying your file is incomplete as that will allow them to delay processing even for a minor error.
You should also include in your details if your spouse is going to work, perhaps estimate the salary anticipated from that, show that your housing arrangements are stable, include letters from family or friends if they are willing to either help with any additional expenses during the adjustment phase or simply attest to your character and ability to sustain you and your new spouse. I think the more you can throw at them in this case, the better. If you have any other owned assets, car, home, savings, include that or a letter from you bank manager saying your balance is always in good standing or some such thing.
Although I did not agree with it, there was a member on another thread who was on some type of disability income and she was with her husband for over 10 years and CIC refused him because they thought she was being taken advantage of. Trust me this lady was a firecracker, not to be taken advantage of by anyone and she took CIC to appeal so quickly their heads were spinning! I think the other issue in this case was that they were married for several years before applying for PR and CIC was suspicious as to why they waited so long to apply for PR. Well she was under the mistaken impression that she could not apply due to disability income and as soon as she know this was not true she followed up. The only time you cannot sponsor someone is if the sponsor is actively receiving social assistance (welfare benefits).
So I am sure you will receive answers from some others who have had your exact experience so sit tight and more help will be on the way. What country is your beloved from and what VO will process the file? Sometimes this can male a bit of a difference. Blessings.
