# Questions About Sponsoring Dependents
**URL:** https://discourse.settlement.org/t/questions-about-sponsoring-dependents/2092
**Category:** Sponsoring Family
**Created:** [January 12, 2015, 7:43am UTC](https://discourse.settlement.org/t/questions-about-sponsoring-dependents/2092 "2015-01-12T07:43:37Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@joyandnick2014](https://discourse.settlement.org/u/joyandnick2014)
#### Post date: [January 12, 2015, 7:43am UTC](https://discourse.settlement.org/t/questions-about-sponsoring-dependents/2092/1 "2015-01-12T07:43:37Z")
Im sponsoring my common law and she has 4 other kids in philipines. our lawyer said that we will inclide them but check the non-accompanying. because for her our application might be refused because right now im in paternity benefit but will soon find a job,not been in social welfare…help,give me your suggestion and opinion or even advices
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### Author:  [@SettlementOrgMod](https://discourse.settlement.org/u/SettlementOrgMod)
#### Post date: [January 13, 2015, 3:30pm UTC](https://discourse.settlement.org/t/questions-about-sponsoring-dependents/2092/2 "2015-01-13T15:30:28Z")
Hi There,
Thanks for sharing your question and situation with us. We can appreciate that this is a difficult situation.
You may find our article [How do I sponsor a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, or dependent child living outside of Canada?](http://www.settlement.org/sys/faqs_detail.asp?k=SPONS_OUTSIDE&faq_id=4000444) useful.
The [CIC website](http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/sponsor/spouse-apply-who.asp) has an explaination of your eligibility as a sponsor:
> [@](#):
>
> When you sponsor one of these relatives to become permanent residents of Canada, you must support them financially. This means you have to meet certain income guidelines.
>
> If you have sponsored relatives to come to Canada in the past, and they have later asked the government for financial help, you may not be allowed to sponsor another person. Sponsorship is a big commitment, so you must take it seriously.
>
> To be a sponsor **you must** :
>
> agree in writing to give financial support to your relative, if they need it
> for a spouse or partner, this lasts for three years from the date they become a permanent resident, and
> for a dependent child, this lasts for 10 years, or until the child turns 25, whichever comes first.
> Your relative must also agree to try to support themselves.
>
> You **may not** be eligible to be a sponsor if you:
>
> -did not meet the terms of a sponsorship agreement in the past,
> -did not pay alimony or child support even though a court ordered it,
> -get government financial help for reasons other than being disabled,
> -were convicted of an offence of a sexual nature, a violent crime, an offence against a relative that resulted in bodily harm or
> -an attempt or threat to commit any such offences, depending on the detailss of the case, such as: the type of offence, how long ago it occurred and whether a record suspension was issued,
> -were sponsored as a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner in the past and became a permanent resident of Canada less than five years ago
> did not pay back an immigration loan, made late payments or missed payments,
> -are in prison or
> -have declared bankruptcy and have not been released from it yet.
>
> **Other things not on this list may stop you from being able to sponsor a relative**.
You may want to contact the [Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)](http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/contacts/call.asp) Call Centre for more information and to confirm the information provided above.
I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.
=====
Theresa
Information & Referral Specialist, CIRS
Your [Settlement.Org](http://Settlement.Org) Team