Social Security income

[carolynhotstuff 252]

My co-sponsor makes $40,000 a year but his income is a combination of social security and pension. I took his tax return and affidavit of support to a lawyer who told me if the embassy wanted to play hardball they could deny his social security income. She advised me to find another co-sponsor but he is the only person willing to sponsor.

My question...is this true? I know they can deny SSI but can they deny social security retirement income?

[LotofPatience 65]

My co-sponsor makes $40,000 a year but his income is a combination of social security and pension. I took his tax return and affidavit of support to a lawyer who told me if the embassy wanted to play hardball they could deny his social security income. She advised me to find another co-sponsor but he is the only person willing to sponsor.

My question...is this true? I know they can deny SSI but can they deny social security retirement income?

The below paragraph is from the Adjudicator's Field Manual for I-864

Sponsor Use of Benefits. Question 4B of the September 26, 2000 version of the Form I-864 asks if the sponsor or any member of his or her household has used means-tested benefits during the past 3 years. Do not disqualify a sponsor based on a positive response to this question. The reason for this question is to ensure that the value of any such means-tested public benefits is not considered as income on the Affidavit of Support. Federal means-tested benefits currently include SSI (Supplemental Security income), TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), food stamps, Medicaid, and State Child Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP). State and local means-tested benefits vary by jurisdiction. Earned benefits such as Social Security retirement, Unemployment Compensation, and Workman's Compensation may be included as income.

Loto

Edited August 27, 2010 by LotOfPatience

[carolynhotstuff 252]

Thank you for your reply.