Co-sponsor has drawn unemployment- is this an issue?

[Ashley and Tom 2]

Hello Everyone! We previously thought my mother would NOT able to be a co-sponsor because she has drawn unemployment. Now we are unsure. Any help is greatly appreciated. Here is her situation:

"I work in the Entertainment Industry in Transportation. My job is

under a Teamster (union) Contract protected by a collective bargaining

agreement. In this agreement if there is no work (movies being made

in my area), I am eligible to draw unemployment compensation. This is

not welfare or assistance from the Federal or State government. Our

contract allows for this and I draw on MY OWN EARNINGS. If I have not

worked and paid into the system then I would not be eligible for

compensation. I want to co-sponsor my daughter's fiancee (Tom) and would like to get your

thoughts on this issue. I more than meet the income requirement.

Or is it possible that they would take my income and reduce it by any

unemployment compensation (if any)? I would still meet income

requirements. Thank you all for your help"

Thank you again!!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Hello Everyone! We previously thought my mother would NOT able to be a co-sponsor because she has drawn unemployment. Now we are unsure. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Unemployment will not count against her. It's not welfare, it's an insurance that is paid for her benefit if she becomes unemployed.

[Ashley and Tom 2]

Thanks for your reply!very helpful for us

btw, my fiance is from the UK and I am located in Houston, Texas as well

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

Hello Everyone! We previously thought my mother would NOT able to be a co-sponsor because she has drawn unemployment. Now we are unsure. Any help is greatly appreciated. Here is her situation:

"I work in the Entertainment Industry in Transportation. My job is

under a Teamster (union) Contract protected by a collective bargaining

agreement. In this agreement if there is no work (movies being made

in my area), I am eligible to draw unemployment compensation. This is

not welfare or assistance from the Federal or State government. Our

contract allows for this and I draw on MY OWN EARNINGS. If I have not

worked and paid into the system then I would not be eligible for

compensation. I want to co-sponsor my daughter's fiancee (Tom) and would like to get your

thoughts on this issue. I more than meet the income requirement.

Or is it possible that they would take my income and reduce it by any

unemployment compensation (if any)? I would still meet income

requirements. Thank you all for your help"

Thank you again!!

Unemployment is not welfare and unemployment income actually can be counted as income for the I-864. There are no written rules for the I-134 but generally the consulates accept the rules for the I-864. That said, we have not yet seen here a case where a person was approved based on unemployment income ONLY. UI would often be adequate to qualify in itself. However it is not permanent and I do not know of anyone getting approved using unemployment as the only form of income. If someone does please let us know.

That said, if she currently has a job the fact she had unemployment in the past will not be an issue at all. Even if she had welfare income in the past it would not be an issue if she had a job and income now.

[Ashley and Tom 2]

Unemployment is not welfare and unemployment income actually can be counted as income for the I-864. There are no written rules for the I-134 but generally the consulates accept the rules for the I-864. That said, we have not yet seen here a case where a person was approved based on unemployment income ONLY. UI would often be adequate to qualify in itself. However it is not permanent and I do not know of anyone getting approved using unemployment as the only form of income. If someone does please let us know.

That said, if she currently has a job the fact she had unemployment in the past will not be an issue at all. Even if she had welfare income in the past it would not be an issue if she had a job and income now.

Just to clarify, She has NEVER been on welfare. She just ended a working on a movie (she works in the film industry) but will not be actively working again until a few more weeks. When there are no films in her area, she draws unemployment (she is a union worker (teamster), so she cannot take another job when there are no films).

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thanks for your reply!very helpful for us

btw, my fiance is from the UK and I am located in Houston, Texas as well

Well hi there UK/TX couple. Here's a good thread for you if you haven't seen it yet. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/350185-london-2012-k1s-from-noa2-to-interview-thread/