2+-+Canadian+Assistance+to+Refugees

Canada’s Government-Assisted Refugee Program 
 * Who are Government-Assisted Refugees? **
 * These individuals are either Convention Refugees Abroad or members of the Source Country Class (see definition on previous page)
 * Initial resettlement in Canada is entirely supported by the Government of Canada or Quebec
 * Assistance is delivered by non-governmental agencies who are supported by Citizenship & Immigration Canada


 * How is this different from Refugee Claimants? **
 * Refugee claimants can claim status outside of Canada with the support of the government or private group
 * They may also make a claim upon arrival in Canada via land, sea or air
 * The Refugee Protection Division of the Immigration & Refugee Board (IRB) will decide whether the claimant is a protected person (convention refugee or person in need of protection)
 * To do this, claimants must convince the IRB or this by telling their story and/or providing documents to support their case

// For an outline of the complete refugee claims process see the following PDF: //

** Support for Government-Assisted Refugees (GAR): **

The Government of Canada offers support for up to one year from the date of arrival in Canada, or until the refugee is able to support himself or herself, whichever happens first. This may include help with:
 * Accommodation
 * Clothing
 * Food
 * Finding employment and becoming self-supporting
 * <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Other resettlement assistance.

<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0cm;">Organizations working within the [|Resettlement Assistance Program] to offer resettlement services to GAR’s are located throughout Canada. Our local organization is MAGMA.

<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0cm;">The Canadian government also offers [|financial assistance] for government-assisted refugees and loans for all resettled refugees.

Resettlement Assistance Program:
Resettlement assistance is provided by the Government of Canada for those admitted to Canada as government-assisted refugees.

These funds are given to help pay for:
 * Meeting the refugee at the airport or port of entry
 * Temporary accommodation
 * Help in finding permanent accommodation
 * Basic household items
 * General orientation to life in Canada

This money is also used to provide the refugee with income support for up to one year or until that person becomes self-sufficient, whichever comes first.

The Immigration Loans Program ( ILP ) is funded by the federal government.

Loans pay for:
 * The costs of medical examinations abroad
 * Travel documents
 * Transportation to Canada

Assistance loans are also available to newcomers to cover expenses such as housing rental, telephone deposits and work tools. Interest is charged on ILP loans.

Refugee families often start their new life in Canada with a debt of up to $10 000. According to the Canadian Council for Refugees, “The burden of the transportation loans is having a painful impact on thousands of refugees and on Canadian society. It undermines refugees’ ability to integrate and to contribute to their full potential in their new home. Refugee youth are forced to work long hours while going to school, or even postpone further education, because of the need to pay back the debt.”

Citizenship and Immigration Canada administers the Interim Federal Health Program ( IFHP ). Refugee claimants, resettled refugees, persons detained under the // Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, // victims of trafficking in persons and the in-Canada dependants of these groups who are unable to pay for health care are eligible for benefits under the IFHP until they become eligible for provincial/territorial or private health plan coverage.

Under the Resettlement Assistance Program, resettled refugees with provincial/territorial health coverage are provided supplemental IFHP coverage for one year from the date of entry to Canada.

Supplemental coverage includes: <span style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"> · Essential & emergency health services for the treatment and prevention of serious medical conditions <span style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"> · Treatment of emergency dental conditions <span style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"> · Contraception, prenatal and obstetrical care <span style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"> · Essential prescription medications (low-cost and generic only)

Coverage can be extended up to 24 months for recipients identified with special needs.

For more information on the IFHP, see the website of [|FAS Benefit Administrators Ltd].

**For more information on Canada's Assistance to Refugees see:**
Citizenship & Immigration Canada: [] Canadian Council for Refugees: [] Settlement.Org Welcome to Ontario: []