FOOD STAMPS + WIC!! Are they right for me?

[marrs 0]

Ok

Foodstamps(Click Me) and WIC(Click Me). What is the deal with them? Since the economy pretty much sucks, it is hard for me to make ends meet. I'm a few dollars above minimum wage, and not too long ago that would have been a decent salary. I also used to be able to work a lot of overtime. But now they are trying to limit that to a few "pre-approved" hours a month.

Anyway,

I would not mind some assistance.

However, I do have some questions:

1. Why do employers ask if you have ever been on foodstamps?

Are they worried that you are trying to mooch your way through and work less??Whats the deal here? If anything, they should pay me more so I won't need them

2. The Embarrassment Factor!

Personally, I can care less. I'm not trying to get over, I'm trying to make it. What do you think?

3. And most importantly: Does it affect our status?

(My fiance is on K-1.Daughter is US. Citizen. Will it affect us in any way? AOS, etc?)

For those who were afraid to ask.....There, I said it!

[tom&tata 2]

Not sure about WIC but I think food stamps is means tested benefit mentioned in i-864. Immigrant have sponsor - if the immigrant receives means tested benefits, the sponsor might have to pay it back - food stamps is mentioned as one of them.

[Cherel & Bob 0]

You pay for food stamps and WIC while you are working and paying taxes. Don't be afraid to apply for them if you need them.

Many employers ask if you have ever been on food stamps because based upon how long ago you were on food stamps they may get a tax credit for employing you.

Bob

[Y's_habibitk 2]

isnt this the point of the affidavit of support... to make sure you wont need gov. assistance?

[marrs 0]

isnt this the point of the affidavit of support... to make sure you wont need gov. assistance?

Isnt that one of the reasons I pay taxes? So we all CAN get help?

[MrsAmera 41]

You can get help your spouse can't - and it's pretty hard to get assistance without counting your family into the equation.

[marrs 0]

Well anyway,

we have an appointment for WIC. I dont think we will use food stamps.

Thnx for the replies!

[Kajikit 65]

From what you say you're the American citizen... if you need food stamps to help you get by, don't be afraid to apply for them. What else do you think you paid your taxes for? There is no shame in accepting a little outside help, especially in this hideous economic climate.

[reeses16 8]

US citizens and Legal Permanent Residents are eligible for food stamps and WIC. The means tested benefits that violate the I-864 are cash payments such as TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) or SSI (Supplemental Security Income). They do not include food stamps or WIC. This comes up every now and then on VJ. And it is confusing because you have to provide income information (means) in order to qualify for food stamps and WIC. LPRs can receive food stamps, WIC, and unemployment benefits (provided they qualify- employed for xyz amount of time, etc).

We would definitely apply for these benefits if we needed them. That's what we pay taxes for.

1. I'm not sure why they ask. May be some sort of stats type thing. EOE, we have hired...

2. No I wouldn't be embarrassed. People would never know unless I told them!

3. No. The types of benefits we discussed (food stamps and WIC) will not affect immigration status.

Edited February 2, 2009 by reeses16

[JODO 2]

If people are working and they need it, then I have no real problem with them getting the temporary help they need. That is why it is there. However, food stamps, etc should not be a career. As for WIC, Is that the one for pregnant mothers? I have no problem with that because the baby is innocent.

[Y's_habibitk 2]

isnt this the point of the affidavit of support... to make sure you wont need gov. assistance?

Isnt that one of the reasons I pay taxes? So we all CAN get help?

not for the immigrant, thats the petitioners/co sponsors responsiblity. That is the point of the AOS.

I dont have any issue with people using the system when its necessary so please dont misunderstand me.

My point is the immigrant is NOT supposed to have to file for said benefits, hence the AOS

[reeses16 8]

The AOS means that the sponsor's income must be considered when the immigrant applies for benefits that he or she is eligible for. For example, if my hubby looses his job (and we qualify based on our reduced income) we can apply for food stamps as long as he provides information about his income (rather lack there of) and my income (since I'm his sponsor). We're good to go, without any impact on his immigration status. OR more likely, I would have to have a reduction in hours or layoff to qualify, since as a sponsor I do make 125% above poverty. Fuzzy math a side, if a LPR provides his or her info AND info from their Sponsor and they still qualify for benefits, its not a problem.

There would be problems if hubby applied for food stamps and did not include the information about my income.

But there would be problems if he applied for TANF or SSI, whether or not he provided my income information.

The general idea of the I-864 is to provide some assurance that the LPR will be less likely to need any sort of assistance. But that does not exclude them from all types assistance in situations when it is warranted and the sponsors income is considered as well.

Edited February 2, 2009 by reeses16

[Mononoke28 135]

My family and I have gone through really rough times here in the US. Back in 1991 when Bush Sr. was president we had to file for food stamps and had it not been for that, we wouldn't have had any food to eat but bread and water. Same with my dad when he fell ill with cancer back in 2002, co-payments and prescriptions were so high that my mom had to file again and that was a huge relief for them until he passed away.

So if you need them and you're eligible don't feel bad to file, especially in this horrible economy. Besides, now days they're not food stamps any more but they give you a card you can swipe at the register.

Diana

[GabachaYucateca 0]

Permanent residents are NOT eligible for food stamps until after they've been permanent residents for five years. The caveat to this is if they are disabled.

So a permanent resident will not have (without doing some funny business) an EBT card unless they a)have held that status for 5+ years or b)their USC spouse was found eligible or c)they have USC children who were found eligible.

[london1 0]

may i ask what's WIC and EBT.