Food stamps

[Emmamama 2]

Hi guys,

I am a poor artist considering applying for food stamps, or the Link Card as they call it here in Illinois. I am currently filling out the forms online and it asks for my husband's information. If he applies of receives food stamps as well, is this considered being a public charge?

[YuAndDan 153]

?? Note this is a "Means Tested Benefit" so whoever signed the I-864 to sponsor, can be held responsible to repay this benefit.

[Emmamama 2]

?? Note this is a "Means Tested Benefit" so whoever signed the I-864 to sponsor, can be held responsible to repay this benefit.

Ok. So he should NOT file. Just me..? I found a post from 2009 that said that immigrants are able to file for certain benefits, food stamps was listed. Their source of information was a PDF from a gov website, but it was from 1999...hmmmmm.

It'll still be ok for ME, the USC to apply right? There is a section that asks you to list people living in your household and asks if those people will also be applying for food or medical assistance, cash, etc. I check no for him, yea? And yes for me? PS I signed his I-864, as well as a family member.

[YuAndDan 153]

Ok. So he should NOT file. Just me..? I found a post from 2009 that said that immigrants are able to file for certain benefits, food stamps was listed. Their source of information was a PDF from a gov website, but it was from 1999...hmmmmm.

It'll still be ok for ME, the USC to apply right? There is a section that asks you to list people living in your household and asks if those people will also be applying for food or medical assistance, cash, etc. I check no for him, yea? And yes for me? PS I signed his I-864, as well as a family member.

Sure, US Citizen can apply.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Ok. So he should NOT file. Just me..? I found a post from 2009 that said that immigrants are able to file for certain benefits, food stamps was listed. Their source of information was a PDF from a gov website, but it was from 1999...hmmmmm.

It'll still be ok for ME, the USC to apply right? There is a section that asks you to list people living in your household and asks if those people will also be applying for food or medical assistance, cash, etc. I check no for him, yea? And yes for me? PS I signed his I-864, as well as a family member.

He would only be considered a 'public charge' if he were receiving long term assistance. Receiving food stamps or other temporary relief would not make him a 'public charge'. However, because there is an affidavit of support, the sponsor can be held liable to repay the benefits. He doesn't have to become a 'public charge' in order for this obligation to kick in.

Unless you like the idea of a court order garnishing your wages or seizing your tax refunds, your husband should not apply for any means tested benefits as long as the affidavit of support is enforceable. BTW, if they come after you for reimbursement and you can't pay then they'll go after your joint sponsor.

[YuAndDan 153]

Yep, I would check "No" for spouse.

You can always share the food that you get from the assistance with your family members.

[Emmamama 2]

Good points. I'm just checking NO.

[amykathleen2005 441]

He would only be considered a 'public charge' if he were receiving long term assistance. Receiving food stamps or other temporary relief would not make him a 'public charge'. However, because there is an affidavit of support, the sponsor can be held liable to repay the benefits. He doesn't have to become a 'public charge' in order for this obligation to kick in.

Unless you like the idea of a court order garnishing your wages or seizing your tax refunds, your husband should not apply for any means tested benefits as long as the affidavit of support is enforceable. BTW, if they come after you for reimbursement and you can't pay then they'll go after your joint sponsor.

I thought that for a means tested benefit they only added in the income of the sponsor to determine if they qualify?

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I thought that for a means tested benefit they only added in the income of the sponsor to determine if they qualify?

They use the income of the sponsor yes but they can't include the immigrant in the household count either. So he basically can't exist at all when claiming benefits because otherwise she uses him to qualify (more people in the house means more people to share the income or lack thereof).