More issues since I have been here...

[sulph 3]

Ok so I arrived here just over a month ago.. And my immigration process, from 1-30 to visa in hand was relatively straight forward...but lord..since I arrived...

First, they messed up my name at the border.. Meaning the save system had my name wrong.. I managed to fix that with a phone call, saving myself a info pass

Second... They didn't assign me a ssn, I know it's a 50/50 chance they will when u request it on a ds-230..so I wasn't too concerned.. Went down the ssa..had issues there because of the save system name mismatch.. Took 3 weeks to fix it and receive my ssn

Next...DMV.. Had no issue getting through the save system there..but had to wait 3 hours while they rang around figuring howlong to issue my DL for ... They had never heard of a temporary I-551 stamp or a cr-1 visa.

Ok now for the new issue

We recently moved from my wife's parents house to our own place.. , now my wife sufferes from bipolar disorder, and has 2 kids who's fathers don't support, no child support nothing, as such my wife is on food stamps and state medical insurance .. We went down to the department of human resources to inform them of the addresses change, and name change ( we have been married since November , but every time my wife called her case worker to inform her of the name change they never answered or called back, she called once every few weeks to try.

As I said we went down to the office, they said they would need me on the case because where married, but I told them I did not want benefits, only to use my income towards my wife's case, which is,case I had understood it, the thing to do

Few days later we got a phone all from the elusive case worker asking for my. Social security number so she can but me in the system to receive benefits... My wife told her that I was not looking nor wanting benefits. And wanted it to be the same as with her previous husband ey told her that the case was different because I was not a us citizen and I had to receive benefits.. My wife argued.. The woman said if I don't...then hers and the kids insurance and food stamps will be stoped ( she's 7 months pregnant with our baby also) . My wife asked the following words and received the following reply ,

Wife : are you saying that I and my children are being penalised for me marrying an immigrant?

Caseworker: yes because he is not a us citizen

Wife: that's discrimination

Caseworker: no that's our policy

I'm not sure what to do, I'm still looking for a job, although I have a second interview with one company tomorrow, I don't want my wife and kids to go without, especially seeing my baby is due in August.. I don't want to claim benefits because my sponsor will be charged.. What should I do... The department of human services is either showing discrimination or dose not know what the heck they are doing

[DaniG 3]

Maybe as a first step try to get an appointment with someone higher up at DHS, ask that lady who her supervisor is. If that doesn't help, I have no clue.

[engineer21 51]

I am so sorry this is happening..

Yes, I would definitely try to get in touch with your case worker's supervisor.

No one should be penalized for trying to do the right thing.

If that doesn't work, maybe try to get your congressperson or representative involved?

http://www.house.gov/representatives/

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Good luck..

Edited May 23, 2012 by engineer21

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

What state are you in ? You could possibly look up the rules online , print out two copies , highlight the parts that support your point and take both to see her and carefully read them with her .

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

Case worker is correct, the husband must be included and documented on the case. His income will be considered, when and if there is income. Having the husband information, doesn't mean he will be receiving any benefits, what it does means is benefits may be adjusted downward.

Wife should have discussed her options with the caseworker pior to entering into the marriage, so she could have been made aware of all of the pitfalls. If the caseworker donot include the information regarding the husband and something should happen to the children or wife, the state can be held responsible.

Yes, if your wife is receiving any type of aid from the state, she must report all information about you.

Edited May 24, 2012 by LIFE'SJOURNEY

[sulph 3]

I understand I have to be in the case and I understand my income will contribute, that's fine, but the case worker said I had to sign up to receive benefits. Almost forcing it apon me with the way she spoke about me and threatening the termination of my wife's and kids foodstamps and tencare if I didn't. She also said my sponsor ( joint sponsor) would be responsible to repaying my wife and kids benefit costs! Since posting this we had an interview with the case workers supervisor, she told me she wasn't sure how the whole thing worked and would need to have her supervisor come down from Memphis to help sort it out, she did however say I would be put in the case as non eligible for benefits and that she will investigate the caseworkers claim concerning the whole penalisation because I'm an immigrant thing.. I will let y'all know how it goes

Edited May 27, 2012 by sulph

[ceadsearc 516]

Sounds like someone doesn't know what they are doing! Yes, your income should count but as you know you don't receive benefits and thus have nothing to repay!

[Inky 1,110]

Not a ROC issue as the OP only arrived a few months ago. Moving to moving here and your new life in America from ROC.

[Darnell 8,478]

I suggest that you go back to 'that office' without any appointment, and see a supervisor, on Tuesday.

The caseworker got 'some' of the stuff right. but to 'include you for benefits' is wrong.

Instead, you were to be 'included in the household' and your status noted, and your income noted.

The caseworker got that wrong, in her 'interpretation of the policy'.

IMO, a supervisor can explain it in greater detail, and get you into the wife's casefile properly.

Waste no further time with 'that' caseworker, though.

[sulph 3]

Ok so my wife got a letter from her case workers supervisor, that we spoke too, this is what it reads,

Mr xxx has to be included as a household member since he is your husband,, Since he has a sponsor , the following information is needed. name, address of the sponsor, the organization and the amount of the sponsorship, also if mr xxx has any income resources or vehicles, this information is needed, you have ten days to provide this information, we cannot process your case until this information is received, if you have any questions please contact me at xxxxxx , thank you

[Shari 6]

I suggest that you go back to 'that office' without any appointment, and see a supervisor, on Tuesday.

The caseworker got 'some' of the stuff right. but to 'include you for benefits' is wrong.

Instead, you were to be 'included in the household' and your status noted, and your income noted.

The caseworker got that wrong, in her 'interpretation of the policy'.

IMO, a supervisor can explain it in greater detail, and get you into the wife's casefile properly.

Waste no further time with 'that' caseworker, though.

This has nothing to do with the post, but your daughters are absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!

[Shari 6]

When my husband and his son came here from England, it took my husband 7 months after receiving his Work Permit to get a job. I was working but we had a total of 4 kids living with us and groceries for a family of 6 was getting tough. We went down to try to get Food Stamps and were told that because my husband and step-son were not citizens, they would not be counted as part of the household to get food stamps and since I worked, I made enough for me and my 3 kids. I was my husband's sponsor so there was no issue with that. We really only made it through those months because my dad loaned us money for several months.

Will your wife be able to keep her medical? I am guessing she can through Medicaid and if she is not on Medicaid, she can get on it now that she is pregnant for sure.

I wish you good luck as it will be hard and I hope it doesn't cause any strain on the marriage and a lot of money problems can. I hope you find a job soon!

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Ok so my wife got a letter from her case workers supervisor, that we spoke too, this is what it reads,

Mr xxx has to be included as a household member since he is your husband,, Since he has a sponsor , the following information is needed. name, address of the sponsor, the organization and the amount of the sponsorship, also if mr xxx has any income resources or vehicles, this information is needed, you have ten days to provide this information, we cannot process your case until this information is received, if you have any questions please contact me at xxxxxx , thank you

No. This is wrong again. I suggest you go over their heads and call head office or something (like SSA has a head office number). They have no idea what they're doing and I would NOT provide them with this info. His income is used yes, but he doesn't count in household count and their insistence in using him is troubling to say the least.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

The "sponsor" line of questioning seems odd. You are not eligible for benefits because you are a LPR, not because you have a "sponsor." I think, mentioning this, is heading in the wrong direction. The sponsor does not become part of the application - you do not need to tell the welfare office your co-sponsor has a car and a house... The fact that they ask for the "organization and amount of sponsorship" it tells me you have given the wrong idea.

Ditch the sponsor explanation. Say you are not eligible for means-tested benefits because you are a LPR. Also, yes to supervisors.