I864 and welfare

[kikis 0]

Hello,

I filled out form I864 (affidavit of support) for my fiance-now my husband. He is a permanent resident now. My income has decline and i wanted to fill out the application for energy assistance and food stamps with welfare, but being that im his sponsor. How may this affect me?

thanks,

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Hello,

I filled out form I864 (affidavit of support) for my fiance-now my husband. He is a permanent resident now. My income has decline and i wanted to fill out the application for energy assistance and food stamps with welfare, but being that im his sponsor. How may this affect me?

thanks,

You can try and get food stamps but he doesn't count in your household size. So you won't be applying because you have to feed him too, he's not allowed to be involved but you are permitted to get them (if you qualify).

[HappyRs 8]

You can try and get food stamps but he doesn't count in your household size. So you won't be applying because you have to feed him too, he's not allowed to be involved but you are permitted to get them (if you qualify).

Does that mean that as long as the food stamps are not on the husband's name she may be entitled to get some? I still think it's kinda risky though

[ceadsearc 516]

Does that mean that as long as the food stamps are not on the husband's name she may be entitled to get some? I still think it's kinda risky though

I would presume she would only be allowed enough to feed one person (or her + kids if she has them), much like if you apply for food stamps while living in a house with other non-family members. If I recall correctly, it is fraudulent for a person not included in the household size (in this case, her husband) to be allowed to use any of the food, though.

[Myopia 93]

I would presume she would only be allowed enough to feed one person (or her + kids if she has them), much like if you apply for food stamps while living in a house with other non-family members. If I recall correctly, it is fraudulent for a person not included in the household size (in this case, her husband) to be allowed to use any of the food, though.

Ok this is what I call misinformation. It is not fraudulent for her husband to eat the food. lol.

He can eat the food with no problem but he can not be on her food stamp case although he will count when they count the family members.

She needs to make sure she tells the SNAP officer that although her husband has a LPR, he is not eligible to get SNAP benefits.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Ok this is what I call misinformation. It is not fraudulent for her husband to eat the food. lol.

He can eat the food with no problem but he can not be on her food stamp case although he will count when they count the family members.

She needs to make sure she tells the SNAP officer that although her husband has a LPR, he is not eligible to get SNAP benefits.

He counts? I was told he ISN'T allowed to count. I don't know if I'm going to explain this well but the reason for that is say she earns $10,000 a year and the threshold for a 1 person household is $15,000 to qualify for stamps so she can't get the stamps BUT lets say the threshold is $10,000 for a 2 person household so she WOULD qualify if she includes the immigrant in the household count. She just used the immigrant to qualify for the benefit.

[kikis 0]

He counts? I was told he ISN'T allowed to count. I don't know if I'm going to explain this well but the reason for that is say she earns $10,000 a year and the threshold for a 1 person household is $15,000 to qualify for stamps so she can't get the stamps BUT lets say the threshold is $10,000 for a 2 person household so she WOULD qualify if she includes the immigrant in the household count. She just used the immigrant to qualify for the benefit.

I'm still confused...my understanding is tht because I filled out form i864 I'm responsible in supporting him while he is a US resident. This form will expire when he becomes a citizen. But my income has declined now and I qualify in the threshold to receive food stamps and energy assistance counting him and myself. I just don't knw if I am allowed to do this, because of form i864 I am his sponsor eventhough my income has changed???

[SophWeb 25]

I'm still confused...my understanding is tht because I filled out form i864 I'm responsible in supporting him while he is a US resident. This form will expire when he becomes a citizen. But my income has declined now and I qualify in the threshold to receive food stamps and energy assistance counting him and myself. I just don't knw if I am allowed to do this, because of form i864 I am his sponsor eventhough my income has changed???

Yes, you are still his sponsor even though your income has changed. The sponsorship means that the immigrant cannot receive welfare. If he does go on welfare, you can and will be responsible for paying back the amount of financial assistance he received. You, however, can receive welfare because you are a US citizen, the fact you are sponsoring him does not change that. Just wanted to clear that up first.

I think the confusion is from whether or not you would eligible for welfare if you husband is counted in your household size. As in, including him in your household size may make the difference between being eligible and ineligible for welfare - in terms of income requirements.

This is a question better asked for a Welfare Officer. Speak to them and say that you want to receive welfare for YOURSELF ALONE ONLY. Explain that because your husband is a LPR, he is automatically ineligible for welfare, however you are unsure whether or not he is to be included in the household size even though he will not be receiving any benefits. Explain that you signed the I-184 (bring a copy to show the Officer) and ask if this document means that he is counted in the household size.

Just make sure you stress to this officer not to give your husband any benefits. Double check that you receiving enough benefits/food stamps for only one person (yourself).

Edited March 3, 2011 by SophWeb

[Myopia 93]

He counts? I was told he ISN'T allowed to count. I don't know if I'm going to explain this well but the reason for that is say she earns $10,000 a year and the threshold for a 1 person household is $15,000 to qualify for stamps so she can't get the stamps BUT lets say the threshold is $10,000 for a 2 person household so she WOULD qualify if she includes the immigrant in the household count. She just used the immigrant to qualify for the benefit.

Yes he counts. Its convoluted I know but although he is not eligible for any food stamp benefits, they will factor any income he has into the food stamp budget. So if she makes $500 a month and he makes $500 a month, they will take his income as part of the household income at large.

Also the way that they calculate the rent she pays is based on the amount of people. Its some weird algorithm that no one can possibly understand but even if he cant get any food stamps, they will add his income into the food stamp budget.

When she gets the approval letter, it will say that her husband is ineligible for food stamps.

She didnt use the immigrant to qualify. They use any extra income in the house to determine whether she can get or not. It makes sense when you think about it.

[Myopia 93]

I'm still confused...my understanding is tht because I filled out form i864 I'm responsible in supporting him while he is a US resident. This form will expire when he becomes a citizen. But my income has declined now and I qualify in the threshold to receive food stamps and energy assistance counting him and myself. I just don't knw if I am allowed to do this, because of form i864 I am his sponsor eventhough my income has changed???

Dont be confused.

You can apply for food stamps and energy assistance. They will count any income he has but he will not get any food stamps.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Yes he counts. Its convoluted I know but although he is not eligible for any food stamp benefits, they will factor any income he has into the food stamp budget. So if she makes $500 a month and he makes $500 a month, they will take his income as part of the household income at large.

Also the way that they calculate the rent she pays is based on the amount of people. Its some weird algorithm that no one can possibly understand but even if he cant get any food stamps, they will add his income into the food stamp budget.

When she gets the approval letter, it will say that her husband is ineligible for food stamps.

She didnt use the immigrant to qualify. They use any extra income in the house to determine whether she can get or not. It makes sense when you think about it.

This is correct. There are two calculations they must make. One is to determine if she's eligible for benefits. Another is to determine the level of benefits she will receive. Her husband will be included in the first calculation because it's expected that his income is available to help support her, but he won't be included in the second calculation because he's not eligible for benefits himself.