Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP)

The Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) is a contribution program. It has two main components: income support and assistance for a range of immediate essential services.

Immediate and essential services are delivered by Service Provider Organizations (SPOs), generally within the first 4-6 weeks of a newcomer’s arrival in Canada. Activities include the following:

• meeting newcomers at the airport or final destination in Canada
• providing temporary accommodation
• providing basic orientation to Canada, life skills training and financial orientation
• assisting in finding permanent accommodation
• referring to other settlement programs

Eligibility

• Immigration categories eligible for support
• Exceptions
• Qualifying for income support and eligibility period
• Roles and responsibilities

Allowances

Income support allowances can be basic (provided to all RAP recipients) or conditional (provided only under certain circumstances). Certain allowances are provided one-time only, while others are provided on an ongoing monthly basis.

Learn more about allowances.

Calculating and delivering income support

• Pro-rating and personal assets
• Calculating income support (cheque timeline)
• Delivering income support (issuing cheques)
• Calculating the 50% additional income incentive
• One-year window of opportunity and RAP income support

Income support management

• Client monitoring
• Separated minors
• Overpayment and abuse
• Change of status (reassessments)
• Financial commitments and forecasts
• Stolen, lost or never-received cheques
• Secondary migration and self-destination