Can I sponsor a family member if I currently receive social assistance?

For most family class sponsorships involving parents, grandparents, or other family members where minimum income applies, receiving social assistance will generally prevent you from sponsoring because you will not meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) threshold. Social assistance payments are typically not counted as income for sponsorship purposes, and being on social assistance itself indicates you do not have adequate resources.

For spousal sponsorship specifically, there is no minimum income requirement — spouses and common-law partners do not require the sponsor to meet the MNI. However, there is a separate bar: if you are currently defaulting on a prior sponsorship undertaking or have certain government debts, you cannot sponsor regardless of income.

If you are receiving social assistance, it is also worth considering whether you can realistically fulfill the undertaking you would be signing — the legal commitment to support your family member and prevent them from needing social assistance. Taking on an undertaking you cannot realistically meet can create serious legal and financial consequences down the line. Discuss your situation with an immigration lawyer to understand both eligibility and the practical risks before applying.