2.A Refugees: From Eligibility to Arrival
A.4 How are sponsorship-eligible refugees identified?
(i) How can sponsors assist particularly vulnerable refugees?
How Canada Does It
Private sponsors are able to provide special assistance to particularly vulnerable refugees through the Joint Assistance Sponsorship (JAS) program. Overseas visa officers identify government-assisted families with special needs – e.g. survivors of trauma or torture, persons with medical disabilities, victims of systemic discrimination, or particularly large families – and create online profiles which can be selected by Canadian sponsors. Government-assisted refugees already in Canada may also qualify for the JAS program post arrival. JAS refugees receive up to twenty-four months of income assistance from Canada and full settlement supports from private sponsors for the duration of the sponsorship undertaking.
The JAS program is only available to Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs) and their Constituent Groups (CGs). SAHS and their CGs must submit a special application package in order to qualify to sponsor families with special needs through the JAS program.
JAS sponsorships generally last twenty-four months, but in some cases may involve undertakings of up to thirty-six months. The Government of Canada provides income support for up to 24 months to cover the costs of food, shelter, clothing, and basic household goods. Sponsors are responsible for providing resettlement supports, and must be able to provide services required to address the special needs.