Benefits and Canada

[JeeplessInSeattle 1]

OK. So my fiance and I did our research and filed our K1 visa. Now I think I'm ready to ask questions about Canadian benefits and whether we made the right move or not.

My fiance is Canadian and lives in Vicgtoria and I'm American and live in Seattle. We've petitioned to bring my fiance here so that we can marry in the states and live here initially, but we only plan to be here for a few years (maybe 5 at the most). He is disabled and receives disability income which barely supports him. I am self employed but my income here in the states is enough to support us, so I'm not worried about that. My question has to do with his medical benefits and disability income. From what I understand, I need to prove that he will not become a "public charge" here in the states. I assume that means he won't be able to apply for disability income in the USA, is that right? Will he be able to continue collecting disability income from Canada? Will he be eligible for Canadian medical while he lives here? My guess has been "NO" to all of these, but we need to know the options. I do have medical insurance and expected I would just add him to my policy, but is a super lousy plan.

My father was Canadian so I've actually filed paperwork to obtain my Canadian citizenship which should take about 10 months, but like I said we just won't be in a position to move to Victoria for a few years. But once I receive that citizenship, will that mean we are both entitled to Canadian benefits even if we live outside of Canada? Sorry to sound like a greenhorn, but I guess this is what this website is about. Or is there a thread on this "benefits" topic already, or a way I can search for it, or even a book or pamphlet about benefits that I can find?

Thanks!!

[Inky 1,111]

No more Canadian medical after you move to the USA. And if you moved away for your planned time it takes 3-6 months to get the Canadian medical back when you move back to Canada depending on where you live.

You are not entitled to Canadian benefits when not living in Canada.

[Boiler 46,383]

Ouch

I think you have a lot to learn in life.

You say he is disabled, does he need continuing medication etc?

[dukeandduchess 141]

No once your fiance moves he cannot receive Canadian benefits. You are required to cancel your medical once you move. If you come back it takes 3 months to get Canadian medical coverage back (in BC).

The only "benefit" you can get is EI, but since your fiance hasn't been working I don't think he would qualify (since he would have to be looking for work and it sounds like he is unable to do this due to his disability).

[pocheros 101]

No, Canadian public health insurance is only available to permanent residents of Canada, regardless of their citizenship. If he moves to the USA on a visa he ceases to be a permanent resident, and it takes 3-6 months to re-establish permanent residency if he moves back.

Edited February 13, 2012 by pocheros

[JeeplessInSeattle 1]

  On 2/13/2012 at 3:57 AM, pocheros said:

No, Canadian public health insurance is only available to permanent residents of Canada, regardless of their citizenship. If he moves to the USA on a visa he ceases to be a permanent resident, and it takes 3-6 months to re-establish permanent residency if he moves back.

Thanks!

[SapphireDreams 71]

You may want to look into better health benefits in the US and/or ensure that the benefits you have will cover him suitably when he moves. If you health insurance is lousy, it might be very expensive to have benefits that will cover.

[sheeshkabelle 153]

Not only can he not get Canadian benefits after he moves, he can not get any kind of US disability either, it falls under the public charge clause.

It would be up to you to have really good health insurance to pay for his expenses. Since you say you make enough for the financial contract, you shouldn't have any other problems.

[JeeplessInSeattle 1]

  On 2/14/2012 at 12:24 AM, sheeshkabelle said:

Not only can he not get Canadian benefits after he moves, he can not get any kind of US disability either, it falls under the public charge clause.

It would be up to you to have really good health insurance to pay for his expenses. Since you say you make enough for the financial contract, you shouldn't have any other problems.

That is pretty much what I figured (that he won't qualify for disability income from Canada and that he can't apply for it in the US) but I wanted it confirmed, so thank you! And yes, my income is not only sufficient but we also are working to launch a corporation together, which will allow him to work from our home to help run the business and handle all the marketing (his background).

My health insurance is decent and will cover us both while we live here in the states. I believe I read somewhere that we will just need to continue to pay for that policy for the three to six months while we live in BC, so I think we will be fine. Thanks again!!