I-864 Doubts

[Ladylethal 12]

I've been thinking about the I-864 and the consequences it will have on me and my husband. It says that the government can get "refunds" for any benefits conceeded to me due to the fact he signed an affidavit in my behalf. Now, what would these be? I mean, which aids can or can't we have? Which programs will I be allowed to be part of (like WIC, medicaid, etc etc etc). Anyone can shed some light?

[Yodrak 7]

Laura,

This information is available on the USCIS web site in FAQs about the I-864 and in the I-864 itself. At least it was readily available on the old web site and the old form - might be harder to find on the new web site. Make use of the 'Search' function.

Luis, as the USC, is entitled to any and all programs that he may qualify for. It's you who will have to depend on him rather than on the government.

Yodrak

I've been thinking about the I-864 and the consequences it will have on me and my husband. It says that the government can get "refunds" for any benefits conceeded to me due to the fact he signed an affidavit in my behalf. Now, what would these be? I mean, which aids can or can't we have? Which programs will I be allowed to be part of (like WIC, medicaid, etc etc etc). Anyone can shed some light?

[Ladylethal 12]

But would he be able to include me in any of those programs?

EDIT: And I'll also look for more info on this on USCIS.com.

Edited November 16, 2006 by Luis&Laura

[Killer_Clown_2009 0]

If he doesn't agree to support you, you can't immigrate. That's a pretty big factor in agreeing to the conditions. I think you could still qualify for these benefits if you need them - he'll just owe it back to the government. Also the sponsorship requirements will end after 10 years or when (and if) you become a USC.

[Ladylethal 12]

Also, it also appears to end if have a certain income through my own work and filing taxes. My big wonder in this is that Luis has applied for a government's health care plan (which I think it's local, for Puerto Rico, and not Federal) and he wants to add me but now I'm not sure I'd be allowed or if he'd then have to pay for me anyway.

Double post, sorry, tried to edit but I couldn't anymore.

Anyway, I checked his application and it's actually Medicaid. So does that mean I can only get emergency Medicaid?

[Yodrak 7]

Laura,

No. He is entitled to means tested government benefits, you are not. There are a number of programs that you could make use of, your question about which programs are in which category is appropriate. You've just got to find where USCIS has put the info in the new web site.

Try looking also in 9 FAM 40.41 (Public Charge) Notes, there may be some information there.

Yodrak

But would he be able to include me in any of those programs?

EDIT: And I'll also look for more info on this on USCIS.com.

Edited November 17, 2006 by Yodrak

[meauxna 15]

I've been thinking about the I-864 and the consequences it will have on me and my husband. It says that the government can get "refunds" for any benefits conceeded to me due to the fact he signed an affidavit in my behalf. Now, what would these be? I mean, which aids can or can't we have? Which programs will I be allowed to be part of (like WIC, medicaid, etc etc etc). Anyone can shed some light?

The magic phrase is 'means tested benefits'.

Try this list: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/in...nfo_1328.html#5

Means Tested Public Benefits

Can the applicant use government assistance or public benefits?

If the sponsored immigrant uses federal means tested public benefits, the sponsor is responsible for repaying the cost of the benefits.

What are federal means tested public benefits?

Federal means tested public benefits are the following:

Food stamps

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Medicaid

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

State Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

What assistance programs are not considered means tested public benefit programs?

The following types of assistance are not considered means tested public benefits and do not have to be repaid.

Emergency Medicaid

School lunches

Immunizations and treatment for communicable diseases

Student assistance to attend colleges and institutions of higher learning

Some kinds of foster care or adoption assistance

Job training programs

Head start

Short-term, non-cash emergency relief

more I-864 links are in the DCF Guide here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...m&page=dcf

Edited November 17, 2006 by meauxna