ODSP after sponsored parent became citizen

[OlegMemukhin]

Hello!

I sponsored my mother to become PR in 2020. Now both me and her are citizens. Recently she got a back surgery and medically eligible for ODSP. Can she apply for that?

 

[scylla]

Hello!

I sponsored my mother to become PR in 2020. Now both me and her are citizens. Recently she got a back surgery and medically eligible for ODSP. Can she apply for that?

ODSP is classified as social assistance. If she takes social assistance during the period of undertaking (20 years from the date of landing) you will have to repay this money to the government as her sponsor and the individual who agreed to the undertaking.

 

[OlegMemukhin]

Thanks for the reply!

 

[canuck78]

Would add if she is 65 or older she also wouldn’t typically qualify for ODSP.

 

[wanabecanadian]

If ODSP is not an option, can the parent be claimed as a dependent for tax filing? Are there any criteria to meet and forms to complete? Thanks in advance

 

[YVR123]

If ODSP is not an option, can the parent be claimed as a dependent for tax filing? Are there any criteria to meet and forms to complete? Thanks in advance

I don't think parents can be claimed as a dependent but you may be able to claim as caregiver if parents live at the same address.
There are likely other requirement. Search on CRA or get advice from a tax accountant.

 

[wanabecanadian]

Most accountants do not have much information about the immigration programs such as the PGP sponsorship where one commits to supporting the "sponsored" for 20 years. This makes the ODSP program out of the question, however the question I have is about claiming them as a dependant (as committed through the sponsorship program) for ones own tax credits. Has anyone gone through this or has any experience with it?

 

[YVR123]

Most accountants do not have much information about the immigration programs such as the PGP sponsorship where one commits to supporting the "sponsored" for 20 years. This makes the ODSP program out of the question, however the question I have is about claiming them as a dependant (as committed through the sponsorship program) for ones own tax credits. Has anyone gone through this or has any experience with it?

Undertaking do not automatically make your parents as your dependent.
They cannot claim ODSP but other than that, they are the same as any parents that live with their children.
So you can check with any accountant about claiming live-in parents as dependents. (as said, you may be able to claim as care taker and have some tax credit but check with your accountant)

 

[wanabecanadian]

Thanks for your response but I would like to hear from someone else who has gone through this. Accountants are not all well versed with CIC programs

 

[YVR123]

Thanks for your response but I would like to hear from someone else who has gone through this. Accountants are not all well versed with CIC programs

Because CIC programs has nothing to do with CRA and tax return.

 

[wanabecanadian]

I think you are missing the point. This thread was about ODSP for sponsored parents. If I am not mistaken, sponsors commit to supporting (parents in this case) for 20 years for basic life necessities such as food, clothes, shelter and hence they (sponsored) do not qualify to get the ODSP.. is that correct?

My question is related to claiming a parents as a dependent (if they qualify ofcourse, there are strict criteria for this) for tax returns. Would one be able to get the tax credits as claiming them as dependent (once approved) despite of commiting to support them (parents) for 20 years through the PGP program??

 

[YVR123]

I think you are missing the point. This thread was about ODSP for sponsored parents. If I am not mistaken, sponsors commit to supporting (parents in this case) for 20 years for basic life necessities such as food, clothes, shelter and hence they (sponsored) do not qualify to get the ODSP.. is that correct?

My question is related to claiming a parents as a dependent (if they qualify ofcourse, there are strict criteria for this) for tax returns. Would one be able to get the tax credits as claiming them as dependent (once approved) despite of commiting to support them (parents) for 20 years through the PGP program??

Tax credit is fine if they qualify as dependents for tax return.