Given that until the refugee claim has been filed and determined to be eligible, claimants are unable to obtain a work permit, they will be dependent for a period of time upon government resources.

Refugee claimants can apply for a work permit once their refugee claims have been referred to the Refugee Protection Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). Only those who cannot pay for their basic needs without public assistance are eligible for a work permit.  Furthermore, they may need to provide IRCC with the results of a medical examination before a work permit is granted.