food stamps

[endless 0]

Hi I finally made it to the US but right now we have this problem, I am a full time student and my wife is not making less than enough for living, I bought her a house and cars but right now our income level is low and she applied for medicare for her and HER daughter and food stamps too.

Will the food stamps be a problem for my conditional residence situation I'm here on a CR-1 visa and my green card will expire in 2 years from now.

Thanks, endless

[N360 0]

Hi I finally made it to the US but right now we have this problem, I am a full time student and my wife is not making less than enough for living, I bought her a house and cars but right now our income level is low and she applied for medicare for her and HER daughter and food stamps too.

Will the food stamps be a problem for my conditional residence situation I'm here on a CR-1 visa and my green card will expire in 2 years from now.

Thanks, endless

Who is the beneficiary? you or your wife?

And who sponsored the beneficiary?

The purpose of the Affidavit of Support is to make sure the intending immigrant does not become a public charge.

I believe your wife has now become a public charge. Your sponsor is responsible to make sure she gets off the food stamp.

Since your wife is still conditional, I believe it is a problem. Please, someone correct me if Im wrong.

Edited March 1, 2008 by NoelandTintin

[MarkNAshley 0]

From what I read of the post, I agree with NoelandTintin.

Until you clarify the situation for us, it will be hard to help you out. I believe that the male is the foreigner and the wife is the US citizen, but again, am unclear.

But like was said, there was a necessary amount of support required in order to have your petition approved and to avoid these situations.

[endless 0]

From what I read of the post, I agree with NoelandTintin.

Until you clarify the situation for us, it will be hard to help you out. I believe that the male is the foreigner and the wife is the US citizen, but again, am unclear.

But like was said, there was a necessary amount of support required in order to have your petition approved and to avoid these situations.

Ok, sorry.

I'm the male and the foreigner, my wife is US Citizen. I was employed in europe and now I'm studying for my MBA.

My wife was on medicaid or medicare before we got married and now is applying for a similar state run insurance. I will get insured through my college. I read somewhere that the food stamps don't count as financial help... might be wrong.

Hope my message is more clear now. Sorry

[Kajikit 65]

You're the one who has to deal with immigration, not your wife. Lifting conditions doesn't require a new affidavit of support, so your wife's financial status is irrelevant at this point - what matters is your continuing relationship, not how much money you have.

[Nagishkaw 510]

I just thought I would throw this out here :

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=63059

[ChasingAmy 0]

You're the one who has to deal with immigration, not your wife. Lifting conditions doesn't require a new affidavit of support, so your wife's financial status is irrelevant at this point - what matters is your continuing relationship, not how much money you have.

I was just reading about this on the government website. It appears that it would be a problem if you were getting that assistance. Your sponsors could have to pay back whatever benefits you receive. The only thing I saw about sponsors receiving benefits is what is below, I've copied and pasted from the government site:

Does Receipt of Means-Tested Public BenefitsDisqualify me From being a Sponsor?

No. Receipt of means-tested public benefits does not disqualify anyone from being a sponsor. However, means-tested public benefits cannot be accepted as income for thepurposes of meeting the income requirement.

[rebeccajo 14]

Your fiance and her children are the ones receiving the assistance. Not you.

Benefits only have to be paid back if the immigrant draws them.

[The Robinsons 0]

I agree that if it's your wife getting the benefits you don't have to worry.

As a note: Our local Health Department told us that receiving medicaid, WIC plus others as a permanent resident is NOT being a public charge. However receiving unemployment is.

So I guess it depends on what benefit it is, what state you're in and can only be a potential problem if you are the one receiving the benefit.

[diadromous mermaid 36]

Are there any exceptions for sponsors?

Final regulations published by FNS on November 21, 2000 (65 FR 70169) clarified that a

State agency cannot request reimbursement from the sponsor during any period of time

that the sponsor receives food stamps. If a sponsor subsequently stops receiving food

stamps, the sponsor is still not liable for benefits issued to the sponsored immigrant

during the period of time the sponsor received food stamps.

[*JG* 2]

My SIL is a PR with her 10 year green card. She is seperated from her USC husband. She currenly draws Medicaid, WIC, and monthly rental and childcare assistance. She's been doing it for 2 years now and was doing it when she lifted conditions.