I-864 IMPORTANT QUESTION

[Anas & Ayesha 1]

Need some advice please.

I currently was laid off from my job on 6/28/11. I have already made over the 125% requirement for 2011.

However I am now collecting unemployment benefits and will be receiving my first check this week. I am NOT on welfare or collecting any type of public assistance. The directions say "PUBLIC BENEFITS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED". I have downloaded the Poverty Guidelines and do not find that Unemployment falls into that category.

My question is why do I need a sponsor if I have already made the 125% which is required?

Thank you for your time.

[fazmo 24]

Who said you need a sponsor? All you need (the requirement) for the affidavit of support is your last (most recent) tax return, which is 2010. Everything else such as the tax return of the two prior years is optional. You can, however, send in the 3-6 of your last W2s. If you send your tax returns for 2010, 2009 and 2008, it will do more than enough. Temporarily loosing a job is normal and very understandable and won't hinder your application for immigration benefits.

[kali1229 6]

My understanding was that you need to show that you have ongoing employment, and you need an employment letter and last 6 month's pay stubs. Unemployment still counts as income for you. You probably still don't need a co-sponsor.

Please someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[Anh map 2,098]

Current and ongoing income is what is evaluated. Your unemployment income is what you have now. The former job doesn't apply. Do your annualized unemployment benefits met the income requirement? If not, then you may need a joint sponsor.

Who said you need a sponsor? All you need (the requirement) for the affidavit of support is your last (most recent) tax return, which is 2010. Everything else such as the tax return of the two prior years is optional. You can, however, send in the 3-6 of your last W2s. If you send your tax returns for 2010, 2009 and 2008, it will do more than enough. Temporarily loosing a job is normal and very understandable and won't hinder your application for immigration benefits.

This is incorrect.

Edited July 13, 2011 by Anh map

[Anas & Ayesha 1]

I have made over 49,000.00 for tax years 2010, 2009 and 2008 and am now collecting $498.00 per week on unemployment.

I have all the documents done BUT was just laid off due to the economy and I was told in another forum that I needed a sponsor and I don't understand why if I have meet all the requirements. I am just so scared to get a REF at this point. My husband and I are waiting on our NOA2.

[Anh map 2,098]

I have made over 49,000.00 for tax years 2010, 2009 and 2008 and am now collecting $498.00 per week on unemployment.

I have all the documents done BUT was just laid off due to the economy and I was told in another forum that I needed a sponsor and I don't understand why if I have meet all the requirements. I am just so scared to get a REF at this point. My husband and I are waiting on our NOA2.

Your current income is now $498/week, which is an annual $25,896. Showing your past years' tax transcripts will show the CO that you have a history of strong income.

You ought to be ok unless your household count is 4 or greater. In that case I would suggest having a joint sponsor.

[Jojo92122 1,924]

I have made over 49,000.00 for tax years 2010, 2009 and 2008 and am now collecting $498.00 per week on unemployment.

I have all the documents done BUT was just laid off due to the economy and I was told in another forum that I needed a sponsor and I don't understand why if I have meet all the requirements. I am just so scared to get a REF at this point. My husband and I are waiting on our NOA2.

The I-864 is a legal agreement that the petitioner/sponsor will reimburse the US government for any means tested benefit that the immigrant may receive in the future. To determine if the petitioner/sponsor can meet the commitment, the US government will look at past earnings (your tax returns) and your current earnings. It is your current and future earnings that is going to reimburse the government. While you have demonstrated a great work history, that is now somewhat irrelevant since that income stream has stop. The government is concern with how can you now and in the future meet your obligations under the I-864.

Look at this from the government's side;

I used to have a great job that paid me well as evidenced by my earnings from the last three years on my tax returns. Now, I am unemployed. If the immigrant I want to bring to the US receives a means tested benefit, I can reimburse the government because I have a ?????

I have a great job that pays me well as evidenced by my earnings from the last three years on my tax returns. I still have this great job and the income from it. If the immigrant I want to bring to the US receives a mans tested benefit, I can reimburse the government because I have reliable, steady, and adequate income from this job.