Question about welfare options ...

[SteveColo 0]

Hey all,

Anybody that knows me here knows my story ... I work 7 days a week and we still have a very tough time making ends meet. My wife and step daughter are here on a K3/K4 visa and we hope to have my wife's EAD by the end of the year.

With money so tight ... and no, we have no credit cards and no, we do not splurge on useless non-necessities ... The thought came to my mind about possibly applying for food stamps, medicare or any other government assistance. I have never filed for anything like this before.

My question is simply ... can we qualify for assistance in our situation ... because of the visas? Or would applying hurt our case when we go to file for her green card? I am only looking at some possible short term help until my wife can find work.

I hate the thought of filing for help ... I'd rather take care of things myself, as evident by my working 2 jobs ... but as everyone knows, this economy here is so rough ... and we could use a little help.

Simple, non-judgmental replies are appreciated. Thanks and have a great day ...

[canadian_wife 1,828]

You should never be ashamed for helping your family.

From what I understand, YOU, the USC, may benefit from medicare or foodstamps but your wife and step-child may not (since you signed and Affidavid of Support clamining they would not need such things)

Sorry for your situation, please...someone correct me if I am wrong.

Good luck

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hey all,

Anybody that knows me here knows my story ... I work 7 days a week and we still have a very tough time making ends meet. My wife and step daughter are here on a K3/K4 visa and we hope to have my wife's EAD by the end of the year.

With money so tight ... and no, we have no credit cards and no, we do not splurge on useless non-necessities ... The thought came to my mind about possibly applying for food stamps, medicare or any other government assistance. I have never filed for anything like this before.

My question is simply ... can we qualify for assistance in our situation ... because of the visas? Or would applying hurt our case when we go to file for her green card? I am only looking at some possible short term help until my wife can find work.

I hate the thought of filing for help ... I'd rather take care of things myself, as evident by my working 2 jobs ... but as everyone knows, this economy here is so rough ... and we could use a little help.

Simple, non-judgmental replies are appreciated. Thanks and have a great day ...

Steve

You are a US citizen. YOU can qualify for any type of government aid and it affects nothing. That's first. The problem you will run into is that your immigrant family doesn't "count" in your family size and you will be making way too much to qualify as a single person. You can try though

The types of benefits which are not allowed under the I-864 are narrow and specific. Anything else is allowed. Emergency medicaid is allowed, for example. Regular medicaid is not allowed. State benefits are not affected, it applies to federal benefits only. Check into these carefully. SCHIP could be allowed for Sasha which would cover her medically, anyway. Check into that as it is a state administered program. Lots of state agencies get their funding from the Federal government in large part, but because they are administered by the state, they are exempt.

This can be fuel assistance for utility bills, etc. Local charities are exempt from this restriction also.

The University of Vermont has a HUGE medical complex, for example. Anyone living in Vermont or some counties of New York can get FREE medical care there. It is awesome! The family "co-pay" is based on income and ranges from -0- per year to $1000 per year per family. Fletcher Allen Hospital offers, hands down, the best medical insurance in America and it is FREE along with TOP treatment. (or at least included in the taxes we already pay) If it wasn't for the fact that it only is applicable when we use their facility, I would dump my medical insurance altogether. You may have a similar situation with a local hospital which would care for your family's medical needs. It is NOT welfare, it is not affected by the I-864. Check into medical school hospitals.

There are really lots more benefits available than you may at first think.

I know this is not your favorite thing to do. I don't know anyone that put more into this process in terms of personal effort than you did. Ksenia is a lucky girl.

[jimnlena 8]

A family in my town was in similar bind, they found assitance for free utilities, whisch seems to have helped them through the drought. A us couple I know singned up also for a grant and got 2000 over tuition to go to school. You might check in to these.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Check out Angel Food ministries and see where their closest location is. They work to help provide basic groceries at a reasonable cost. Because you are paying for it it doesn't affect you at all. They have different selections you can order.