The Joint Assistance Sponsorship (JAS) Program is a program that enables Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAH) and their Constituent Groups to partner with CIC in the resettlement of refugees who are identified as having special needs.

Under this program, government assistance is offered for a period of six months up to 24 months. Private sponsorship is offered for up to 24 months. In exceptional cases, the private sponsorship component can be extended up to 36 months. The responsibilities are distributed in such a way that CIC provides financial assistance to cover the cost of food, shelter, clothing and essential household goods, while the sponsor provides orientation, significant settlement assistance and emotional support.

In order to be eligible for a JAS, the refugee

• must be a member of the Convention Refugees Abroad Class, the Source Country Class or the Country of Asylum Class;
• must have a greater need of settlement assistance than other applicants because of personal circumstances, including one or more of the following:
• women at risk;
• victims of trauma or torture;
• large families;
• persons who have been in refugee camps for extended periods;
• and
• persons with serious medical conditions.