Vawa help

[rpeaches10 0]

Hi I am currently trying to seek advice.

I am currently married to my husband a LPR, we have been going through problems for the past year. We have been married now for 3 yrs almost 4 and we have three boys together. In March of 2009, I filed I-130 and it was approved in April of 2010. We have never filed an AOS for the fact that we have to wait for a visa number to be available to us. During the wait we have been separated because of abuse and neglect from my husband and for him knowing that I have no way of supporting our kids because of my immigration status. So I went ahead and filed a VAWA I-360 and I received a receipt and the blue paper requesting more evidence of good moral character. I sent more evidence and I have never received any other information from immigration or a Prima facie, and that is not an update on my case at all stating they recieved the good moral character evidence they requested. Do you know wat I should do at this point cause I really need to be able to support my children since he has refused to help me at this point.

[SingleDad2usc 71]

I'm sure legal advice is coming shortly; as far as Public Assistance - you should've gone yesterday. Without Prima Facie, the kids born in US are still eligible for cash, foodstamps and medicaid; possibly daycare. But to qualify for daycare voucher, you need a letter stating you work 20h/week, even if it's off the books. The big issue is Child Support: for 3 kids it may be 29% of his gross. So say his wage is $3000/mo; then it's $870/mo to you. Also, depending on your locale, there are many support organizations for single parents - never feel alone or helpless! In the end, you have to budget smart: no discretionary/impulsive purchases. It is possible to live on tight budget raising kids: their medical and educational needs are covered - you just have to give them your love and zeal for learning! Also, tell us if any kid has signs of developmental or learning delay

[Sandra G. 5,070]

rpeaches10 when did you submit proof regarding good moral character? usually USCIS will take 20/25 days to submit the prima facie.Keep in mind for some reason some individuals do not get prima facie, it doesn't mean they won't have their petition approved tho.If it's more than 30 days that you answered the RFE call them to inquiry about the prima facie. Your kids are american citizens then you don't need the prima facie to apply for cash assistance/food stamp and medicaid for them.

Go to the Court to aplly for child support as well.

Edited August 5, 2012 by sandranj

[rpeaches10 0]

rpeaches10 when did you submit proof regarding good moral character? usually USCIS will take 20/25 days to submit the prima facie.Keep in mind for some reason some individuals do not get prima facie, it doesn't mean they won't have their petition approved tho.If it's more than 30 days that you answered the RFE call them to inquiry about the prima facie. Your kids are american citizens then you don't need the prima facie to apply for cash assistance/food stamp and medicaid for them.

Go to the Court to aplly for child support as well.

I have filed since September 2011. AND I SENT THE PROOF OR MORAL CHARACTER IN OCT 2011. I HAVEN'T GOTTEN AN UPDATE ON MY CASE AS YET.

[Sandra G. 5,070]

well it seems they won't send you the prima facie, as I said it happens sometimes.USCIS considers several factors to issue the prima facie and probably in your case something didn't convince them enough to issue the prima facie, you still can have your form I-360 approved tho. Usually they take 20/30 days to submit the prima facie, but in your case is almost 10months.They are adjudicating the cases from May/june 2001 then you have ahead at least 4/5 months of waiting.As I said you can apply for all benefits for your kids right now.

Many States have one-time payment of up to $1000 for domestic violence victims.A few weeks ago I told to one of the girls from the Visa Journey about that and she applied and got $1.000 in Florida.

Besides the one payment you have other benefits as well. Read the "domestic violence memorandum".

http://floridalawhelp.org/files/3B1F73BC-C552-0FCC-AA24-7BF0B1FEB224/attachments/3CEA4E46-BCBD-30B1-6A32-1A4C8E23EB79/462441aP-16%20TANF%20DV%20Option.pdf

Edited August 5, 2012 by sandranj

[SingleDad2usc 71]

Don't forget WIC (no status required). Especially if babies need special formula (lactose intolerant, low birth weight) costing $400/mo, it's fully covered! No effect on foodstamps. Mother (from moment doctor confirms pregnancy) and children under 5 all receive WIC

[rpeaches10 0]

well it seems they won't send you the prima facie, as I said it happens sometimes.USCIS considers several factors to issue the prima facie and probably in your case something didn't convince them enough to issue the prima facie, you still can have your form I-360 approved tho. Usually they take 20/30 days to submit the prima facie, but in your case is almost 10months.They are adjudicating the cases from May/june 2001 then you have ahead at least 4/5 months of waiting.As I said you can apply for all benefits for your kids right now.

Many States have one-time payment of up to $1000 for domestic violence victims.A few weeks ago I told to one of the girls from the Visa Journey about that and she applied and got $1.000 in Florida.

Besides the one payment you have other benefits as well. Read the "domestic violence memorandum".

http://floridalawhelp.org/files/3B1F73BC-C552-0FCC-AA24-7BF0B1FEB224/attachments/3CEA4E46-BCBD-30B1-6A32-1A4C8E23EB79/462441aP-16%20TANF%20DV%20Option.pdf

Where can I apply for that one time assistance. Also can I use my I-360 receipt to renew my dr license. And I never filed an I-485, should I have filed it when I filed the I-360 form. And can I resubmit the I-360 with the I-485?

I just really wanna be able to take care of my children. We have no place to live and no method of transportation.

[SingleDad2usc 71]

Not sure you're 100% focused, dear. You seem to require urgent intake, yet you never explained WHERE you are. All these kinds of assistance are state/local

Generally, a DV agency (like Safe Horizon) would assist/counsel/refer you, and advocate for you. If you go straight to social services instead - their M.O. is not to help you much, they'll never volunteer to explain all kinds of programs that may be available. A simple example: you may not be thinking of WIC much, because you're breastfeeding. But a really considerate and knowledgable advocate would explain to you: when you fill out WIC form, you shouldn't be saying breastfeeding ONLY. Full checks for formula are still issued, if you're supplementing some breastfeeding with formula.

Housing is the most complex issue. There are programs that even many counsellors are not aware of. Also, in many instances you'll be brushed off as undocumented. What they forget: you still qualify, because part of the household are USC children!

[SingleDad2usc 71]

I also wasn't focusing and forgot: WIC also may be giving checks for local Farmer's Market. There is nothing better for your kids' neurological health than organic locally-grown foods. Perfect utilization of WIC program may be more beneficial than foodstamps; and there is no adverse consequence to receiving both concurrently!

Another smaller perk: when you take kids to certain medical clinics. At visit's end, give kids' Medicaid card to receptionist - she may be able to charge return transportation to that card benefit!

Many charities may offer walk-in assistance; often in kind: like clothes, furnishings, non-perishable foods.

In any of case, even if consulted properly and able to utilize many programs - budgetting is key! Never-ever!! make any discretionary/impulse purchases. Remember that you're being assisted with bare necessities.

P.S. For those who are not in dire emergency and who have stabilized already: I run an amazing program covering the entire Eastern Time Zone, from NorthEast all the way to Key West (that's only 90 miles North of Cuba!) I take families to Disneyworld using multi-passenger vehicles, during school breaks only (and that's the highest seasons) totally non-profit, sometimes even at zero price! Right now my program is back-logged dozens of families, waiting for me to renew my DL. Sorry, I'm not aware of anyone else running this on the East Coast.

[rpeaches10 0]

I also wasn't focusing and forgot: WIC also may be giving checks for local Farmer's Market. There is nothing better for your kids' neurological health than organic locally-grown foods. Perfect utilization of WIC program may be more beneficial than foodstamps; and there is no adverse consequence to receiving both concurrently!

Another smaller perk: when you take kids to certain medical clinics. At visit's end, give kids' Medicaid card to receptionist - she may be able to charge return transportation to that card benefit!

Many charities may offer walk-in assistance; often in kind: like clothes, furnishings, non-perishable foods.

In any of case, even if consulted properly and able to utilize many programs - budgetting is key! Never-ever!! make any discretionary/impulse purchases. Remember that you're being assisted with bare necessities.

P.S. For those who are not in dire emergency and who have stabilized already: I run an amazing program covering the entire Eastern Time Zone, from NorthEast all the way to Key West (that's only 90 miles North of Cuba!) I take families to Disneyworld using multi-passenger vehicles, during school breaks only (and that's the highest seasons) totally non-profit, sometimes even at zero price! Right now my program is back-logged dozens of families, waiting for me to renew my DL. Sorry, I'm not aware of anyone else running this on the East Coast.

I am in Florida

[SingleDad2usc 71]

if u r in Miami/Dade/Broward with lots of bus routes - use them. remember that any car over $2k counts as resource against children's benefits.

I'm assuming u r in zipcode of enough DV agencies/charities

I am in Florida

[Sandra G. 5,070]

rpeaches one of the girls here from VJ received $1.500. Today I emailed her and she got in Tampa- Florida from Salvation Army Domestic violence program!.