Am I eligible for any benefits?

[Krikit 1,164]

Name a country where you are eligible for monetary benefits when you have legally migrated under a family sponsor visa. None, unless you are migrating under a special program.

Canada.

Moving from Off Topic forum to General Immigration Discussion.

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

Canada.

Moving from Off Topic forum to General Immigration Discussion.

Is Canada a European base country, the statement was a European country.

[Barbara J 115]

Hey everyone, I realize this is a long shot, but here goes. My application for AOS off a K1 visa is currently with the MSC. My question is am I eligible for any benefits legally or anything of the sort, whilst I await my work authorization. Any help would be more than grateful!

Thanks everyone,

Olly.

Olly you are from the UK or OZ yes? NO way you have to wit and get EAD.

[Channah&Aaron 51]

Name a country where you are eligible for monetary benefits when you have legally migrated under a family sponsor visa. None, unless you are migrating under a special program.

Relax, I can name one: The Netherlands!!! We have some sources that will help you, you don't have to show your ID, name, or whatever.... So, yes, there are some other countries in Europe that are a non-profit organisation that provides you the same help. Not that much, but atleast some...

[jlisakay 2]

In many European countries an immigrant would be eligible for some benefits right "off the boat", just for being poor/having no income. So no need to jump on the OP, he/she could simply not realize that US has a very different approach to this...

To the OP: Just Bob is right, you pretty much get no means tested benefits for the first 5 years. On the bright side, once you can work, it is much easier to find a job in the US and you probably will earn more.

you went to the wrong Country should of trid UK they give anyone housing and money as long as you are not British

[Lisamarie 79]

Gosh, sometimes people can just be so "mean"........obviously that person came here and is struggling for whatever reason and needs help, and I'm sure they didn't anticipate that (who would) and we don't know anything about the spouse and what the situation is............. can't people just try to help without throwing all the rude comments out there?? Geez.............

[Aztec&Taino 144]

Depending on what kind of assistance the OP is looking for is what might or might not be available. If the OP is looking for a monthly check from the US government then no, that is not going to happen.

However, if the OP finds him or herself in a situation of not being able to afford food, for instance, there are charities such as church dispensaries, food banks, non-for-profit organizations, and the like which could provide food assistance without violating the affidavit of support's "means tested benefits" clause. Yet, the OP did not elaborate on what kind of assistance is needed. So, it is hard to know what he or she wants.

[John+Lourdelie 28]

In this context it is important to note that an immigrant is not eligible for 'means tested benefits' within the first five years of having received the Green Card, which miraculously coincides with the time a resident can become a US citzen.

The US government wants to make sure that the American people doe not have to pay for immigrants. For that reason USCIS is self-funded -- hence the high fess -- and an Affidavit of Support is required from the sponsor.

That would be that the US Government does not want the American people to pay for legal immigrants. They make us pay till the cows come home for the illegal ones.

John

[Nigel&Meggie 40]

you went to the wrong Country should of trid UK they give anyone housing and money as long as you are not British

So funny...yet so true

[Glyn and Kathy 288]

you went to the wrong Country should of trid UK they give anyone housing and money as long as you are not British

Nope, that's not true. If you go legally to the UK like I did, its just like here. I wasn't entitled to anything...but then I wouldn't have asked either. My husband said he could support me until I was able to work and he did.

To the OP, didn't your sponsor fill out an affidavit of support?? I'm confused. What exactly do you need help with? Food? There are PLENTY of food pantries. I can't think of a single place that will give you money though. If you need medical care...look into charitable care at your local hospital. I know insurance is a tough one for many who first come into the country. I hope you get the help you need...honestly. Definitely call Catholic Charities like someone else mentioned.

[ptgarner1 8]

That would be that the US Government does not want the American people to pay for legal immigrants. They make us pay till the cows come home for the illegal ones.

John

Hey !...we get our money back in the form of lower prices on fresh hand picked strawberries...seriously though..I did tell my fiance it would be much easier if she would learn to speak Spanish and could swim...))))))))

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

That would be that the US Government does not want the American people to pay for legal immigrants. They make us pay till the cows come home for the illegal ones.

John

The public always has to pay for the effects of illegal activity. Whether it's the bombing of two large buildings in New York, or sabotage abord a $2-billon Blackbird, or the hospital cost of a girl that has been raped . . . that's why we have a big pot for these things.

Unfortunately, the legislator has no influence on illegal actions, otherwise we would have no bank robberies, no murder, no tax evasion, and no illegal immigration either.

[ptgarner1 8]

The public always has to pay for the effects of illegal activity. Whether it's the bombing of two large buildings in New York, or sabotage abord a $2-billon Blackbird, or the hospital cost of a girl that has been raped . . . that's why we have a big pot for these things.

Unfortunately, the legislator has no influence on illegal actions, otherwise we would have no bank robberies, no murder, no tax evasion, and no illegal immigration either.

Bob..you are one serious dude!!!...what do you do for fun??

[KittyPollitt 284]

Gosh, sometimes people can just be so "mean"........obviously that person came here and is struggling for whatever reason and needs help, and I'm sure they didn't anticipate that (who would) and we don't know anything about the spouse and what the situation is............. can't people just try to help without throwing all the rude comments out there?? Geez.............

OP could afford all the fees, OP got an affidavit of support signed. If OP couldn't afford to live in the US an didn't plan ahead, it is not the taxpayer's responsibility to take care of OP.

[KittyPollitt 284]

Gah, I'm sorry this topic just really irks me. Where is this man's sponsor? I signed an affidavit of support for my husband and work THREE ####### jobs to maintain my income on that affidavit, because we shouldn't HAVE to need benefits, or go to soup kitchens, or go to Catholic Charities. It costs THOUSANDS of dollars to bring an immigrant to the US. Obviously, someone had money for THAT for this man, where is that person now? Charities and soup kitchens are for low income people who have no other option and this man had one- to stay where he was.

To the OP- tell your sponsor to go deliver pizzas, work at Subway, shovel snow, do WHATEVER to support you as they are legally obligated to. Or go home.