Question about calculating Household size for I-864

[Bat man 56]

I’m a little confused about who does or doesn’t apply to my household size. For context, I’m sponsoring my husband, and my step father is filling out an I-864a to help us meet the income requirements. There are no children at all, I don’t list anyone as a dependent on my tax, he’s not bringing any family with him, and I’m also not sponsoring anyone else or anything like that.

 

I do, however, live with my mother, father, sister, and uncle. I’ve read online that you should include everyone in your actual house regardless, but on the gov site it says “Any nondependent siblings, parents, or adult children who reside in the sponsor's household who are not dependents, if they complete a Form I-864A.” Which seems almost purposefully hard to read, so it’s confused me a little.

 

So do I have six people in my household (myself, husband, father, mother, sister, and uncle)? 

 

Or just three (myself, husband, and father as he’s submitting an I-864A)?

 

Thank you!

[arken 4,197]

It's not based who is considered as dependents on tax return and such. If you are including your step father's i864A, then his household size need to be included. His wife, and any other person he claims as his dependents on his tax return.

 

The other way is he can fill out his own i864.

[pushbrk 13,137]

20 hours ago, Bat man said:

I’m a little confused about who does or doesn’t apply to my household size. For context, I’m sponsoring my husband, and my step father is filling out an I-864a to help us meet the income requirements. There are no children at all, I don’t list anyone as a dependent on my tax, he’s not bringing any family with him, and I’m also not sponsoring anyone else or anything like that.

 

I do, however, live with my mother, father, sister, and uncle. I’ve read online that you should include everyone in your actual house regardless, but on the gov site it says “Any nondependent siblings, parents, or adult children who reside in the sponsor's household who are not dependents, if they complete a Form I-864A.” Which seems almost purposefully hard to read, so it’s confused me a little.

 

So do I have six people in my household (myself, husband, father, mother, sister, and uncle)? 

 

Or just three (myself, husband, and father as he’s submitting an I-864A)?

 

Thank you!

Instructions can be confusing, particularly if you have an outcome in mind and try to fit the instructions to that.

 

The first question to consider is whether Dad's income is enough to act as sponsor, without adding yours.  It is not to determine whether his combined with yours is enough.  Clearly you think your income is not enough.  Next step is to find a qualified joint sponsor.  Your Dad most likely should be acting as Joint Sponsor rather that combining income with you as your household member.

 

Whether your father's income qualifies (on his own, but you are still primary sponsor) depends on HIS household size, which includes his spouse, and actual dependents, plus your husband but NOT counting you or other non-dependents who happen to be sharing a domicile.

 

So, start over that way and see where you stand.  THEN come back with questions.