Unemployment insurance as part of income for petitioner?

[CM&GHM 1]

My husband and I recently got married and I plan to start his I-130 petition next month. I'm thinking about the income requirement and I believe my income over the last 3 years meets it, but this year was unusual for me. Like a lot of people, I lost my job in March and started collecting unemployment insurance. I started a new full-time job in September but now I'm wondering whether the unemployment can be counted as part of my income, and if so, will it look bad for my case? And on top of that, in 2018 I had just graduated college and met the minimum income, but didn't make much above that.

I've been checking these forums for a long time and I'm so grateful for everyone sharing their stories! This is my first post but it probably won't be my last 😉

[Boiler 46,238]

the I 864 asks for current income

[CM&GHM 1]

3 minutes ago, Boiler said:

the I 864 asks for current income

It doesn't also require income statements from the last 3 years?

[Boiler 46,238]

where does it say that? 

[NancyNguyen 1,658]

Find a joint sponsor.

[JeanneAdil 6,683]

If your current job meets income requirments no problem as you have not even applied yet

by the time you go thru this process you will be showing 2021 income at interview (2022)

[CM&GHM 1]

29 minutes ago, Boiler said:

the I 864 asks for current income

It also asks for tax and income information from the most recent, second most recent, and third most recent years. I realize I'm getting ahead of myself as I haven't even submitted I130 yet but I suddenly have a lot of time on my hands to plan for the process. I guess I would include unemployment in that income because it is income, I'm mostly wondering if, when I submit the copies of tax returns that show the unemployment income, that will weaken my case?

[Boiler 46,238]

No, you are confusing the 2 requirements.

[Chancy 6,243]

1 minute ago, CM&GHM said:

I guess I would include unemployment in that income because it is income, I'm mostly wondering if, when I submit the copies of tax returns that show the unemployment income, that will weaken my case?

 

Report your previous unemployment income as appropriate when you file your taxes.  Then that information will be part of what you should enter in the I-864 section for "Federal Income Tax Return Information".  Do NOT include it in the entry for "Current Individual Annual Income" as you will (hopefully) no longer be collecting unemployment checks by the time you need to fill out the I-864.  The entry for current income should be your salary multiplied by the number of pay periods per year, or whatever is listed as your annual salary in your employment letter.

 

If your current salary is well above the minimum income requirements, there is no need for you to worry about the brief period of unemployment.

 

[CM&GHM 1]

2 minutes ago, Chancy said:

 

Report your previous unemployment income as appropriate when you file your taxes.  Then that information will be part of what you should enter in the I-864 section for "Federal Income Tax Return Information".  Do NOT include it in the entry for "Current Individual Annual Income" as you will (hopefully) no longer be collecting unemployment checks by the time you need to fill out the I-864.  The entry for current income should be your salary multiplied by the number of pay periods per year, or whatever is listed as your annual salary in your employment letter.

 

If your current salary is well above the minimum income requirements, there is no need for you to worry about the brief period of unemployment.

 

I am no longer collecting unemployment and like you said, hopefully that will still be the case when I'm filling out the I-864. Thank you for clarifying!

[Bob in Boston 767]

unemployment is just another source of income. My last year State Tax refund is reported as income and is included in the AGI. Not to worry. In between Jobs you collected and found a Job before benefits ran out. Happens to a lot of people in your circumstances. No shame, wont make you look bad.

[Pinkrlion 2,724]

Unemployment Benefits are not considered consist income, and will not be considered for I-864 income.