DS-5540 Question 12? Help

[Jamie and Ben 2]

Hello, I'm needing advice. I'm filling out the DS-5540 and I'm confused on question 12. See while I was over on a different visa in the USA years ago I met and married my husband and we had our son. My husband and son who are U.S. citizens used the program SNAP back then while I did NOT. So what do I put in question 12. Because I never used or received any benefits or public programs. And because my husband and son are not immigrating with me since their U.S. citizens but they are a part of my family I'm confused. Can someone help please. 

 

[NikLR 13,227]

43 minutes ago, Aiyssa said:

Hello, I'm needing advice. I'm filling out the DS-5540 and I'm confused on question 12. See while I was over on a different visa in the USA years ago I met and married my husband and we had our son. My husband and son who are U.S. citizens used the program SNAP back then while I did NOT. So what do I put in question 12. Because I never used or received any benefits or public programs. And because my husband and son are not immigrating with me since their U.S. citizens but they are a part of my family I'm confused. Can someone help please. 

 

Your husband and son are exempt from public charge.  

[Jamie and Ben 2]

1 hour ago, NikLR said:

Your husband and son are exempt from public charge.  

So what do I say?  Do I click Yes or No?  Do I say "What year, and that only my U.S. Citizen Husband and Son used public benefits but are exempt from public charge"? Or something else entirely?

 

Sorry for the questions just don't know how to word things. 

 

Thank you for the reply and the help I appreciate it. 

Edited March 6, 2020 by Aiyssa

[AnnaLee24 16]

When your husband applied for SNAP how many members of the household did he list?

[Jamie and Ben 2]

19 hours ago, AnnaLee24 said:

When your husband applied for SNAP how many members of the household did he list?

Just 2

[NikLR 13,227]

On 3/6/2020 at 7:08 AM, Jamie and Ben said:

So what do I say?  Do I click Yes or No?  Do I say "What year, and that only my U.S. Citizen Husband and Son used public benefits but are exempt from public charge"? Or something else entirely?

 

Sorry for the questions just don't know how to word things. 

 

Thank you for the reply and the help I appreciate it. 

You check yes and explain that your USC husband and child used snap. They are exempt. 

[AnnaLee24 16]

4 hours ago, Jamie and Ben said:

Just 2

That is good. If you were included in the household size to calculate eligibility then I would be a tad worried. Let me urge you to be honest. But now thinking I’m curious why you are even filling out that line, unless you or your husband has received public benefits in the past  12 days.

[Jamie and Ben 2]

17 minutes ago, AnnaLee24 said:

That is good. If you were included in the household size to calculate eligibility then I would be a tad worried. Let me urge you to be honest. But now thinking I’m curious why you are even filling out that line, unless you or your husband has received public benefits in the past  12 days.

Oh is that what it means? Nope its been 10 years since then we've been out of then country since then. I was confused if only question 11 applied to on or after Feb. 24, 2020. 

Do you think it means if you've used it since Feb. 2020 for question 12 also?

I kept going back and forth on it also. I would love to hear other's perspectives. 

Also I am being honest you cant be added to SNAP unless you have a SSN and I was on a different visa not a green card so I had no SSN. 

Thank you very much for helping and replying btw. 

1 hour ago, NikLR said:

You check yes and explain that your USC husband and child used snap. They are exempt. 

Thank you very much for replying and the help  

Edited March 7, 2020 by Jamie and Ben

[AnnaLee24 16]

24 minutes ago, Jamie and Ben said:

 

34 minutes ago, AnnaLee24 said:

Do you think it means if you've used it since Feb. 2020 for question 12 also?

 

The first line in question 11 says “for the purposes of this form public benefit means...”

so I would think question 12 wouldn’t apply but I would be very transparent and write “see attachment” in question 12’s explanation. Write a blurb you are not sure if this question means ever or just since 2/24. Get your husband to request his social security benefits letter and benefits application information include that and explain that he was on benefits 10 years ago, here is proof, also proof he hasn’t used any since. I if I was looking at that application I would think “okay, this person had a hard time, got assistance but has shown the ability to get off and stay off public benefits”. A good example how public benefits should work.

 

Link to how to get a benefits letter

Edited March 7, 2020 by AnnaLee24