Risk of becoming public charge?

[LilyCasper 4]

My CR1 interview at the Brussels embassy is on July 7.

 

I have been receiving public benefits for a few years from the Belgian government due to chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia.

I have been working towards regaining a more independent status, and new medication recently has been helping me along.

For example, I now have my own business as a part-time editor, which I'm hoping to expand, but my main income currently is still the government benefits.

 

Is my case at risk of being refused under the pretext of 'becoming a public charge' (not my intention!). If so, is there anything I can/should do to prepare a rebuttal during the interview?

[SalishSea 17,819]

18 minutes ago, LilyCasper said:

My CR1 interview at the Brussels embassy is on July 7.

 

I have been receiving public benefits for a few years from the Belgian government due to chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia.

I have been working towards regaining a more independent status, and new medication recently has been helping me along.

For example, I now have my own business as a part-time editor, which I'm hoping to expand, but my main income currently is still the government benefits.

 

Is my case at risk of being refused under the pretext of 'becoming a public charge' (not my intention!). If so, is there anything I can/should do to prepare a rebuttal during the interview?

How well prepared is your spouse to support you?

 

Public charge is an inadmissability.  The CO can base that evaluation on a totality of circumstances.

 

What is your spouse's plan to provide you with health insurance?

[LilyCasper 4]

2 minutes ago, SalishSea said:

How well prepared is your spouse to support you?

 

Public charge is an inadmissability.  The CO can base that evaluation on a totality of circumstances.

 

What is your spouse's plan to provide you with health insurance?

My spouse meets the 125% above poverty guideline requirement but not *that* much. He receives healthcare through work and my daughter and I will be added to his policy.

I don't know if it's relevant, but my savings can also tide me over for about two years.

[SalishSea 17,819]

1 hour ago, LilyCasper said:

My spouse meets the 125% above poverty guideline requirement but not *that* much. He receives healthcare through work and my daughter and I will be added to his policy.

I don't know if it's relevant, but my savings can also tide me over for about two years.

Ability to work/education/profession of the immigrant can be considered as part of the totality of financial circumstances.   
 

It can be very consulate-specific.   It might be wise to have a joint sponsor lined up, in case they ask for one. 

[LilyCasper 4]

Just now, SalishSea said:

Ability to work/education/profession of the immigrant can be considered as part of the totality of financial circumstances.   
 

It can be very consulate-specific.   It might be wise to have a joint sponsor lined up, in case they ask for one. 

Would that require some paperwork being prepared in advance? Does the co-sponsor have to be American/live in the US?

[SalishSea 17,819]

Just now, LilyCasper said:

Would that require some paperwork being prepared in advance? Does the co-sponsor have to be American/live in the US?

The joint sponsor has to be a U.S. citizen or LPR who lives in the US.  It can be prepared ahead of time, or you can try your luck and see if the consulate even asks for it.

[LilyCasper 4]

Just now, SalishSea said:

The joint sponsor has to be a U.S. citizen or LPR who lives in the US.  It can be prepared ahead of time, or you can try your luck and see if the consulate even asks for it.

If that's the requirement, we'll have to try our luck unfortunately. Thanks for your input!

[Boiler 45,464]

California you can get Medi Cal from Day 1 funded by the State, and if the sponsor is just over the minimum may qualify. Anyway something to look at.

 

Obvious depends what you mean by just over.

[LilyCasper 4]

4 hours ago, Boiler said:

California you can get Medi Cal from Day 1 funded by the State, and if the sponsor is just over the minimum may qualify. Anyway something to look at.

 

Obvious depends what you mean by just over.

Thanks for the tip. Would getting state-funded health insurance make the consular officer more concerned I might become a public charge?

[Boiler 45,464]

Just now, LilyCasper said:

Thanks for the tip. Would getting state-funded health insurance make the consular officer more concerned I might become a public charge?

Stick with being added to his Insurance if asked , most unlikely you will.

 

More of a fyi.

[Redro 4,611]

8 hours ago, LilyCasper said:

My spouse meets the 125% above poverty guideline requirement but not *that* much. He receives healthcare through work and my daughter and I will be added to his policy.

I don't know if it's relevant, but my savings can also tide me over for about two years.

Where does your spouse live?

Adding a dependent can be extremely expensive depending on the state you live in. 

I was talking to a co-worker the other day and discovered she will start paying $600 a month for her new born... 

So, not sure where you live but you might have go to go for ACA insurance- which can also be extremely expensive with high deductibles depending on the state and your age. 

The US is very expensive. And as someone coming from single payer health care I was not prepared for the reality. 

Edited June 3, 2023 by Redro

[LilyCasper 4]

17 minutes ago, Redro said:

Where does your spouse live?

Adding a dependent can be extremely expensive depending on the state you live in. 

I was talking to a co-worker the other day and discovered she will start paying $600 a month for her new born... 

So, not sure where you live but you might have go to go for ACA insurance- which can also be extremely expensive with high deductibles depending on the state and your age. 

The US is very expensive. And as someone coming from single payer health care I was not prepared for the reality. 

$600 a month for a newborn? Yikes, that's scary. My spouse lives in California.

19 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Stick with being added to his Insurance if asked , most unlikely you will.

 

More of a fyi.

Okay, will do. Thank you!

[Redro 4,611]

59 minutes ago, LilyCasper said:

$600 a month for a newborn? Yikes, that's scary. My spouse lives in California.

 

As long as CO doesn't assume two dependents will cost $1200+ a month for med insurance and neither immigrant will be working... you should be fine. But as you can see... health insurance could take a huge chunk out of your partner's earnings. Marginally over 125% is not enough in a lot of states if your husband will be supporting you 100%. Even if you manage to move to the US with no issue you will want to work as life here can be extremely expensive. 

ETA: Make sure you move here with at least 3 months supply of the medication you require and then look online for cheap medicine prescriptions... Good RX is a great resource. 

Edited June 3, 2023 by Redro

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.

[LilyCasper 4]

4 hours ago, Redro said:

As long as CO doesn't assume two dependents will cost $1200+ a month for med insurance and neither immigrant will be working... you should be fine. But as you can see... health insurance could take a huge chunk out of your partner's earnings. Marginally over 125% is not enough in a lot of states if your husband will be supporting you 100%. Even if you manage to move to the US with no issue you will want to work as life here can be extremely expensive. 

ETA: Make sure you move here with at least 3 months supply of the medication you require and then look online for cheap medicine prescriptions... Good RX is a great resource. 

Thank you. Getting affordable meds in the US is one of my greatest concerns. And my intention is to find a part-time job once I get my work permit while expanding my business. I hope it's enough for the CO to conclude I won't be a public charge.

Is this something I should bring up during the interview?