When a refugee has special needs, such as significant medical, psychological, or social challenges requiring extra support, the government finds a sponsor and covers the financial requirements itself. The sponsor identified in this process doesn't need to meet the normal financial eligibility thresholds.
(1)If an officer determines that special needs exist in respect of a member of a class prescribed by Division 1, the Department shall endeavour to identify a sponsor in order to make the financial assistance of the Government of Canada available for the purpose of sponsorship. A sponsor identified by the Department is exempt from the financial requirements of paragraph 154(1)(a).
(2)In this section, special needs means that a person has greater need of settlement assistance than other applicants for protection abroad owing to personal circumstances, including (a)a large number of family members; (b)trauma resulting from violence or torture; (c)medical disabilities; and (d)the effects of systemic discrimination.