Government Aid

[lauramajri 0]

I know that my spouse can not recieve gov. aid (such as welfare, food stamps, or healthcare) but I am wondering if I am able to? I am a US citizen and I have never been on any gov. program before. but seeing as I have been living over seas and not working for almost a year now, it is something I might need to look into once we return to the states.

Thanks!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Yes, as a US citizen you are eligible for means-tested benefits - your husband is not. If you have any US citizen children, they are also eligible.

[lauramajri 0]

Thank you!! Hopefully we won't have to go that route but it id good to know all the options! With the job market how it is these days I am just nervous on how fast it will take me to get back into the workplace

[riz 0]

Yes, as a US citizen you are eligible for means-tested benefits - your husband is not. If you have any US citizen children, they are also eligible.

I don't think "lauramajri" will be eligible for any means-tested benefits other than kidcare (state kids health care program) for her kids. Can "lauramajri" get un-employment benefits or food stamp? As she sponsored her spouse so she must be above poverty level so I guess no food stamps & healthcare aid. But I am not sure about un-employment benefits, can anyone help to answer this?

Edited November 24, 2009 by riz

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Any USC is eligible for food stamps, unemployment etc like Kathryn41 said - regardless of filing the I-864, The I-864 is to show the beneficiary will not go on government assistance, not the USC who has every entitlement to such programs due to citizenship

The US government knows life isn't perfect. We aren't in times when you have the same job for 40 years then go on a wonderful pention. People lose their jobs, go on hard times - public programs such as umeployment is for the USC in situaitons like this

OP - go on the unemployment, get food stamps, just be sure you don't count your non-USC husband in the household count. Good luck.

[payxibka 10,045]

and it is Federal "means tested" benefits... State aid is not affected.

FWIW, an alien can receive Fed MTB, but if they do, the sponsor is potentially obligated to repay the US Government...

[lauramajri 0]

Yes, as a US citizen you are eligible for means-tested benefits - your husband is not. If you have any US citizen children, they are also eligible.

I don't think "lauramajri" will be eligible for any means-tested benefits other than kidcare (state kids health care program) for her kids. Can "lauramajri" get un-employment benefits or food stamp? As she sponsored her spouse so she must be above poverty level so I guess no food stamps & healthcare aid. But I am not sure about un-employment benefits, can anyone help to answer this?

I am laura Majri my husband is the immigrant. And i did not sponsor him alone. My brother who is a doctor co-sponsored him as i made below the poverty level.