12000$ less than poverty line

[reza30 2]

because i have to count my mom and my son (he doesn't live with me) in my household size (4 people including my fiancee) im making around 12000$ less than poverty line.

1- did anyone have any experience like this?

2- does having money on bank help fix the problem?

 

[Redheadguy03 505]

You can use assets, but you need a lot of assets to make up for the difference. 

 

Can you get a cosponsor? 

[reza30 2]

i can ask my brother but im not sure he will agree. im just in a really bad situation now

[-Trinity- 513]

Do you own your house? I think for $12000 you have to own $48000 worth of assets. Money on the bank is counted as assets too, but you will need a lot.

Is there a way you can work more hours? Second job? 

 

I hope you will find a solution.

Edited September 29, 2017 by Beachlover

[milimelo 4,481]

House will not count if it's your only house. 

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

I don't know what visa you are going for, but in general, you'll need readily available assets equal to 3x the difference for a spouse or child, and 5x for other sponsored person.

 

I know it says in the instructions that you can use a house minus any liabilities against it, but in practice this has not been the case.  You can also not use a primary car.

 

You can supplement the difference with a second job or find a joint sponsor.

[reza30 2]

thanks everyone for your responses

the sad part is despite the fact that i pay child support i cant claim my son as dependent on my tax form but have to count him as my household size

im going to look for a part time job and ask my brother for sponsorship which is a hard sell. the only other option is if she finds a job here

 

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

20 minutes ago, reza30 said:

thanks everyone for your responses

the sad part is despite the fact that i pay child support i cant claim my son as dependent on my tax form but have to count him as my household size

im going to look for a part time job and ask my brother for sponsorship which is a hard sell. the only other option is if she finds a job here

 

 

Future employment by the intending immigrant is not likely going to cut it.

 

The reason you must claim children, even if you don't have primary custody, is that that situation could change at any time (like their other parent dying) and you have a financial obligation to them as long as you are a legal parent.  It is a pretty fair policy if you think about it.

Edited September 29, 2017 by N-o-l-a

[-Trinity- 513]

Hi OP, not sure if it depends on state regulations but I can only share my personal experience: my husband claims his son every other year on his tax return. 

 

But I don't think that will make such a big difference ( not $12000) anyway. If it were me I would either look for a better paying or a second job. 

 

 

[Mrsjackson 300]

1 hour ago, N-o-l-a said:

 

Future employment by the intending immigrant is not likely going to cut it.

 

The reason you must claim children, even if you don't have primary custody, is that that situation could change at any time (like their other parent dying) and you have a financial obligation to them as long as you are a legal parent.  It is a pretty fair policy if you think about it.

Are you sure? I thought the affidavit of support instructions said to only list all dependents listed on the last tax return. OP - have a look at the affidavit form instructions from the USCIS website.

[geowrian 22,337]

34 minutes ago, Mrsjackson said:

Are you sure? I thought the affidavit of support instructions said to only list all dependents listed on the last tax return. OP - have a look at the affidavit form instructions from the USCIS website.

I-864 instructions, Part 5, #4 (page 6):

"Enter the number of unmarried children you have who are under 21 years of age, even if you do not have legal custody of these children. You may exclude any unmarried children under 21 years of age, if these children have reached majority under the law of their place of domicile and you do not claim them as dependents on your Federal income tax returns."

 

Unless the children are at least 21 (or age of majority in their current country) AND you don't claim them on taxes, they must be counted towards the household size (unless they are married).

Edited September 30, 2017 by geowrian

[reza30 2]

18 hours ago, Beachlover said:

Hi OP, not sure if it depends on state regulations but I can only share my personal experience: my husband claims his son every other year on his tax return. 

 

But I don't think that will make such a big difference ( not $12000) anyway. If it were me I would either look for a better paying or a second job. 

 

 

each extra person 6000$ in 2017, my mom and my son = 12000$

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

The income to determine sponsorship is pre-tax. If you are thinking about how much the deduction would save, you'd still need 3-5x that 12k (depending on which visa class). People who switch claiming dependents every year tend to have 50/50 custody or an explicit custody agreement that specifies that. 

 

Honestly, it would be easier just to find a weekend job or pick up some extra hours. I don't know your financial situation, but the requirement for 125% at 4 people are pretty low, lower than you'd need to be able to pay bills pretty much anywhere. 

[-Trinity- 513]

34 minutes ago, N-o-l-a said:

 

Honestly, it would be easier just to find a weekend job or pick up some extra hours. I don't know your financial situation, but the requirement for 125% at 4 people are pretty low, lower than you'd need to be able to pay bills pretty much anywhere. 

Uber can be a lucrative side job, depending on where you live. But I think that a side job/more hours is the less complicated solution.

[reza30 2]

poverty line for 4 people in 2017 is 30,750 $ which to be honest is not a lot of money and yes i need to get a second job. thanks everyone for help