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Sponsorship Undertaking Default


Procedures

Issuing Hardship Assistance

Before Assistance is Issued: December 18, 2008

After Assistance Has Been Issued

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Issuing Hardship Assistance
December 1, 2003

For information on how to determine hardship assistance rates, see Related Links – Eligibility for Hardship Assistance – Policy – Amount of Hardship Assistance.

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Before Assistance is Issued: December 18, 2008
December 18, 2008

When an applicant (and any adult dependent) who is a sponsored person in a Sponsorship Undertaking that is still in effect, applies for assistance, follow these steps before issuing hardship assistance:

  1. Provide the applicant with the Sponsorship Obligations – Applicant letter (SD2771) [see Forms and Letters] by completing the following:
  1. update the MIS immigration screens with immigration information and sponsor contact information. 

  2. add the current date and applicant’s address to the Sponsorship Obligations – Applicant letter (SD2771) and provide it to the applicant during the intake appointment or later by mail or fax

  3. scan and profile a copy of the Sponsorship Obligations – Applicant letter (SD2771)

  4. record decisive comments

  5. provide a copy of the letter Sponsorship Obligations – Applicant letter (SD2771) to the Sponsorship Default Recovery Program in Victoria, BC [see Contacts]

  6. complete the Sponsorship Obligations – Sponsor letter (SD2772) and send to the sponsor

  7. complete the Verification of Sponsorship Request form (SD2786) and fax to Citizen and Immigration Canada, Case Processing Centre (CPC), Mississauga [see Contacts]

  1. Ensure that the applicant understands all of the following: 
  1. for the period of the Sponsorship Undertaking, the sponsor is obligated to provide essential financial support (including food, lodging and clothing) to the sponsored family member as an alternative to relying upon assistance

  2. once any assistance is paid, the ministry will advise Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) of sponsorship breakdown

  3. any assistance issued will be a debt that the sponsor (and not the sponsored relative) will have to the Crown

  4. ensure the applicant understands that the sponsor will incur a debt and will not be able to sponsor anyone else until the debt is repaid

  5. the federal government or, by assignment of the Undertaking, the provincial government, may seek recovery of the debt

  6. The sponsor will be contacted to confirm whether or not they can provide financial support.  If the sponsor is willing to provide financial support, remind the client to report all money received and provide copies of receipts on the Monthly Report (SD0081) Form

  7. The sponsor will be notified if the sponsored relative receives assistance and will be advised of the debt amount each month

  8. Every reasonable effort will be made to contact and notify the sponsor of the debt.  In cases where the whereabouts of the sponsor are unknown by the family member, Financial Administrative Services Branch (FASB) will conduct a search to attempt to locate and notify the sponsor of their obligation and debt 

If there are concerns about contacting the sponsor record this concern on the MIS immigration screen by entering a “y” in the safety concern field.  Then follow steps for verifying health and/or safety threat [see Pursing Income, Sponsorship Undertaking Default - Procedures]. 

  1. Where there are no concerns about possible abuse, contact the sponsor by telephone to confirm whether he or she is a resource or not, and ensure the sponsor understands that:
  1. For the period of the Sponsorship Undertaking, the sponsor is obligated to provide essential support (including food, lodging, and clothing) to the sponsored family member

  2. once any assistance is paid, the ministry will advise CIC of sponsorship breakdown

  3. any assistance issued will be a debt that the sponsor will have to the Crown

  4. the sponsor will incur a debt and will not be able to sponsor anyone else until the debt is repaid

  5. the federal government or, by assignment of the undertaking, the provincial government, will seek recovery of the debt
  1. Regardless of whether the sponsor is contacted by telephone and where there are no concerns about possible abuse, provide the sponsor with the Sponsorship Obligations – Sponsor letter (SD2772) [see Forms and Letters] and complete the following:
  1. add the current date, sponsor’s address and names of all sponsored relatives applying for assistance and send the Sponsorship Obligations – Sponsor letter (SD2772) to the sponsor

  2. if the sponsor’s address is unknown, contact the Sponsorship Default Recovery Program in Victoria, BC [see Contacts] indicating that the Sponsorship Obligations – Sponsor letter (SD2772) was not sent to the sponsor and provide the reasons

  3. scan and profile a copy of the Sponsorship Obligations – Sponsor letter (SD2772)

  4. record decisive comments

  5. provide a copy of the Sponsorship Obligations – Sponsor letter (SD2772) to the Sponsorship Default Recovery Program in Victoria, BC [see Contacts]

  6. complete the Sponsorship Obligations – Applicant letter (SD2771) and send to the applicant

  7. complete the Verification of Sponsorship Request form (SD2786) and fax to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Case Processing Centre (CPC), Mississauga [see Contacts]
  1. Obtain documents and information relevant to the Sponsorship Undertaking: Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM5292) or Permanent Resident Card or prior to June 28, 2002: Record of Landing (IMM1000).  If the IMM1000 is not available from the applicant, or if there are concerns about immigration status, staff can contact the Ministry's Immigration Liaison to verify client information [see Contacts].  Citizenship and Immigration Canada can also provide assistance.

  2. Update the Immigration (IMM) screen by ensuring all relevant fields are updated and by adding detailed sponsor information, and a comment to record the details of the application.  Ensure the safety concern indicator is correct.  Only report, “yes” safety concern, if the sponsored relative has safety concerns regarding contact with the sponsor and/or they fled abuse [Note: in some cases they may not be afraid of the ministry contacting the sponsor to advise of the debt but still fear the sponsor knowing their whereabouts].  Assure the client that their personal information will not be shared with the sponsor.  Ensure you have recorded all the procedures for example:
  1. Sponsorship breakdown.  Spoke with sponsor who is unable to support at this time.  Advised of debt.  Letter sent to sponsor and letter given to applicant.  Sponsorship date verified with liaison and sponsor contact information recorded; or:

  2. Sponsorship breakdown.  Applicant states fleeing abuse and has brought in recent restraining order to substantiate.  Also, the applicant fears for his/her safety if sponsor contacted.  Safety concern indicator turned on and FASB notified.  Recommend sponsor not be contacted for one year.  Applicant advised that situation will be reviewed in one year.

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After Assistance Has Been Issued
December 1, 2003
  1. Complete the Verification of Sponsorship Request (SD2786)

  2. Fax the SD2786, along with a copy of the Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM5292) and Permanent Resident Card or Record of Landing (IMM1000) if issued prior to June 28, 2002, to Case Processing Centre (CPC) Mississauga. [see Contacts]

  3. Update the Immigration (IMM) screen by entering the "Assignment Verification Requested" date in the appropriate field.

Once this process has been completed, no further action is required to follow-up with Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

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