Requirement for not being a burden once here

[Robert&Karen 264]

I filled out the income paperwork and make enough money to support a family of 4, which I will soon be. :-) I checked out the papers that said that the immigrant shall not be a burden to the US taxpayer. That makes perfect sense. Then it went on to say that such burdens include long term care, SSI, Unemployment, or TANF (welfare). Then it went on to say that medicare is not counted, nor WIC, children's lunch programs, etc. So it seems there are exceptions to every rule.

We have NO plans at all to take a single taxpayer nickel. But things like immunizations for kids at the school, and other potential programs of benefit, how can I tell what is a good opportunity and what I need to avoid like the plague? There are plenty of community programs at all levels of government that our taxes do pay for? I'm almost afraid to sign up for anything discounted because I may appear to be a burden.

[bigdog 376]

They mean any one who wants welfare not normal stuff. Welcome to the journey.

[JoannaV 174]

So long as you are always entirely open about your situation when applying for any benefit, you should not be accepted for something you should not be receiving.

The immigrant can receive certain things, for example unemployment if eligible. (Ie, if the immigrant works and then is laid off, it's more like unemployment insurance than welfare.)

Some programs work in such a way that it just means the sponsor's income has to be considered in addition to the immigrant's. So there are some state means-tested benefits which look at income in order to determine if you qualify, and they can count the sponsor's income too. Of course, as you will be married, your income will probably be considered anyway.

Looking at the I-864 forms, I don't see unemployment listed. It does say immunisations are allowed. Generally, anything specifically to do with the children you can kind of assume is probably ok.