December 2015 AOS filer status

[NataliaLin 18]

I woke up this morning with the txt msg of "case updated", i was so happy that I though it was going to be a ready for interview.. Idk what could it be I reviewed dozen times before sending it out! And now that EAD is "throwback to day 1" just freaks me out! Hope it is really a small thing and can be fixed ASAP... fingers cross for our thread members!!

[Roy&Chanel 109]

Hey guys, while waiting, just wondering how many of u used company health insurance or obamacare? Which is better?

The premium for my husband's company's insurance cost alot after adding me in it.

Any suggestions or advices? Thanks guys!

Edited January 26, 2016 by Roy&Chanel

[bariki 71]

Hey guys, while waiting, just wondering how many of u used company health insurance or obamacare? Which is better?

The premium for my husband's company's insurance cost alot after adding me in it.

Any suggestions or advices? Thanks guys!

Hi Pekan,

Were your birth certs in English? If no, were they translated?

I went onto my husband's company health insurance. Yes, it costs more now than him alone (naturally!) but it's still hundreds of dollars a month less than Covered California (the ACA thing in California) could muster. We compared the cost and relative coverage offered by his employer to ACA along with the simplicity of just adding me to his policy and figured it was a no-brainer. Really depends on your circumstances as to which is "better".

[Roy&Chanel 109]

I went onto my husband's company health insurance. Yes, it costs more now than him alone (naturally!) but it's still hundreds of dollars a month less than Covered California (the ACA thing in California) could muster. We compared the cost and relative coverage offered by his employer to ACA along with the simplicity of just adding me to his policy and figured it was a no-brainer. Really depends on your circumstances as to which is "better".

Thanks bariki,

I was researching for quite sometime, and also feels that its a no-brainer but my husband seems to think elsewise, he kept telling me to cancel the company insurance cos of the cost and go for obamacare, Im trying to ask around u guys and see which is better.

[bariki 71]

Thanks bariki,

I was researching for quite sometime, and also feels that its a no-brainer but my husband seems to think elsewise, he kept telling me to cancel the company insurance cos of the cost and go for obamacare, Im trying to ask around u guys and see which is better.

No worries. If you qualify for a subsidy through ACA then sure, maybe that works best for you guys. It didn't for us but, like I said, it'll depend on your circumstances.

[xbritto 25]

USCIS received our RFE today, WOOHOO. Now we can get things rolling again for my husband!

[Amhara 460]

Hey guys, while waiting, just wondering how many of u used company health insurance or obamacare? Which is better?

The premium for my husband's company's insurance cost alot after adding me in it.

Any suggestions or advices? Thanks guys!

I was paying about $137 per month for just myself, and after adding my husband I am paying $320 per month.

One thing about adding both spouses to the policy that many people don't think about is the tax shelter they provide. Generally, we don't pay income taxes on health insurance premiums that are deducted from our pay. So if your husband has this option (which is automatic), then anything that he pays in health insurance premiums lowers the taxable income. Now if you were to get ACA, you would pay with after-tax money, meaning that it's not sheltered from tax. Sure, you can deduct the premiums off your tax return - only if your total medical expenses are over 10% of your AGI AND they add up with your other itemized deductions (specific deductions) that allow you to itemize rather than take the standard deduction.

English translation:

By including both spouses on the health insurance and having them sheltered from tax, you are receiving a tax benefit. If you pay health insurance premiums that are not deducted from pay, you are paying tax on the cash you use to pay those premiums, which equal a higher taxable income.

Btw, I don't know why they call ACA the AFFORDABLE Care Act - it was designed to make health care less affordable. Lower flexible savings account limits by 50% and increasing the tax benefit drastically. Why would they do that?

[bariki 71]

I was paying about $137 per month for just myself, and after adding my husband I am paying $320 per month.

One thing about adding both spouses to the policy that many people don't think about is the tax shelter they provide. Generally, we don't pay income taxes on health insurance premiums that are deducted from our pay. So if your husband has this option (which is automatic), then anything that he pays in health insurance premiums lowers the taxable income. Now if you were to get ACA, you would pay with after-tax money, meaning that it's not sheltered from tax. Sure, you can deduct the premiums off your tax return - only if your total medical expenses are over 10% of your AGI AND they add up with your other itemized deductions (specific deductions) that allow you to itemize rather than take the standard deduction.

English translation:

By including both spouses on the health insurance and having them sheltered from tax, you are receiving a tax benefit. If you pay health insurance premiums that are not deducted from pay, you are paying tax on the cash you use to pay those premiums, which equal a higher taxable income.

Btw, I don't know why they call ACA the AFFORDABLE Care Act - it was designed to make health care less affordable. Lower flexible savings account limits by 50% and increasing the tax benefit drastically. Why would they do that?

Ours went from $120 to $194 once I was added to the policy. And yes, paid with pre-tax dollars is quite a saving. Thanks for adding that detail, Amhara.

Coming from the UK, I think the way healthcare works here is a bit nuts but this is probably not the place for that particular conversation.

[HGord 22]

Nope, no changes. But, as someone else has observed, it's not been much time in the grand scheme of things - 19 days since my biometrics and only 12 for yourself. Though, seeing other people's RFEs roll in whilst seeing nothing myself is a mix of reassuring and.. not.

I'm in the same boat - it seems a few Brits are, or at least we're the ones being vocal about it! Although my biometrics were only a week ago... Just checking the case status everyday praying I don't get an RFE! We got one for the i129f back for the K1 last year so I'm even more paranoid!

[bariki 71]

I'm in the same boat - it seems a few Brits are, or at least we're the ones being vocal about it! Although my biometrics were only a week ago... Just checking the case status everyday praying I don't get an RFE! We got one for the i129f back for the K1 last year so I'm even more paranoid!

I check mine each day, despite having mobile/email notifications enabled for each case. I'm sure that you and I are not the only ones doing so! Having flipped through the Oct/Nov filer reports, some people seem to get approved without the case changing online and they just get the approval notice in the mail. So there's also the daily trudge to the mailbox to see if there's something that says 'USCIS' in it.

Oh! Would you mind updating your timeline with your NOA dates and EAD/AP data? Every little helps. ^^

Edited January 27, 2016 by bariki

[HGord 22]

I check mine each day, despite having mobile/email notifications enabled for each case. I'm sure that you and I are not the only ones doing so! Having flipped through the Oct/Nov filer reports, some people seem to get approved without the case changing online and they just get the approval notice in the mail. So there's also the daily trudge to the mailbox to see if there's something that says 'USCIS' in it.

Oh! Would you mind updating your timeline with your NOA dates and EAD/AP data? Every little helps. ^^

Oh yep, just done it! I get so caught up updating the little timeline in my signature that I forget about the main one!!

Ahh, the struggle is real for all of us. At least we have each other for company!

[bariki 71]

Oh yep, just done it! I get so caught up updating the little timeline in my signature that I forget about the main one!!

Ahh, the struggle is real for all of us. At least we have each other for company!

That's odd. It's still not showing anything for your AP/EAD. O.o

For sure - and quite the journey it is for us all. I'm glad I did stuff like filing for an SSN and learner's permit early on. The permit expired on the 24th with my I-94 but at least I got a couple months' experience behind the wheel here before the test (once EAD or GC is approved). Otherwise it'd be more delays in getting back into work!

[HGord 22]

That's odd. It's still not showing anything for your AP/EAD. O.o

For sure - and quite the journey it is for us all. I'm glad I did stuff like filing for an SSN and learner's permit early on. The permit expired on the 24th with my I-94 but at least I got a couple months' experience behind the wheel here before the test (once EAD or GC is approved). Otherwise it'd be more delays in getting back into work!

Oh yeah, I'd sleepily made errors on the dates I entered for my NOA on those two so they didn't process. All done now though!

Did you not have a license in the UK? I've been driving on my UK license since it's valid for a year and will take the test with the DMV straight away once I get my EAD/Green Card. Insurance is just extortionate until I get my CA license.

How is SJ treating you? My husband and I were there on Sunday night for a Sharks game, from what I saw it's a lovely city!

[bariki 71]

Oh yeah, I'd sleepily made errors on the dates I entered for my NOA on those two so they didn't process. All done now though!

Did you not have a license in the UK? I've been driving on my UK license since it's valid for a year and will take the test with the DMV straight away once I get my EAD/Green Card. Insurance is just extortionate until I get my CA license.

How is SJ treating you? My husband and I were there on Sunday night for a Sharks game, from what I saw it's a lovely city!

Heh, I did the same thing when first filing out the darned thing. Funnily enough, '24' is not a month.

I didn't, no - I've not driven until coming here - and quite the baptism by fire it has been! Suffice to say that people have a distinctive driving style around here. Seen some scary stuff that I've been glad I wasn't in the middle of. But, I am super excited to be buying my first car in the next few weeks ready for getting around once the EAD/GC arrives.

I'm south of SJ, down near Monterey. It's a beautiful part of the state - if you've not done it yet, I highly recommend a drive down the 1 from Monterey towards Big Sur on a sunny day. Bring a camera. I do spend a fair bit of time up in SJ and SF too. We were up there this weekend visiting friends and generally enjoying summer in January (to my British sensibilities anyway).

[HGord 22]

Heh, I did the same thing when first filing out the darned thing. Funnily enough, '24' is not a month.

I didn't, no - I've not driven until coming here - and quite the baptism by fire it has been! Suffice to say that people have a distinctive driving style around here. Seen some scary stuff that I've been glad I wasn't in the middle of. But, I am super excited to be buying my first car in the next few weeks ready for getting around once the EAD/GC arrives.

I'm south of SJ, down near Monterey. It's a beautiful part of the state - if you've not done it yet, I highly recommend a drive down the 1 from Monterey towards Big Sur on a sunny day. Bring a camera. I do spend a fair bit of time up in SJ and SF too. We were up there this weekend visiting friends and generally enjoying summer in January (to my British sensibilities anyway).

Ugh, the month before day thing... I have have to think so hard any time I have to date anything.

Oh yeah, driving here is so different to England. No roundabouts, jumping lanes ALL the time and the driving style is so aggressive! I don't envy you learning out here but at least you'll be a 'blank canvas', so to speak. We bought my car today! The process is long and car dealers are possibly worse here than in the UK, but finally some independence!

You jammy thing, I haven't been further south than SJ yet but Monterey is somewhere Zach is always raving about - we just need a long weekend and good weather. And ditto on the summer in January - not wearing a jumper = summer, whatever month is may be.