food stamp

[Peter_Pan 661]

Then go back, the benefits you gave up are still there for you.

US citizens have these benefits, LPRs do not, usually until they have been here for 5 years and are eligible to be citizens.

Or just be illegal, seems that's way more beneficial than doing the right thing.

[BethandBilly 86]

If the US gave benefits to LPR's straight away where would the incentive to find work come in. I know in the UK and other countries in Europe you can get benefits straight away up on entering the country and most people once they have that choose to never work as they get so much help from the Government they end up making far more than those actually working. So I guess what I am saying is, you do your 5 years (at least) as an LPR working and paying taxes and then if you need benefits you have earned them, benefits should never be a given and LPR's should not expect them as a right.

[Peter_Pan 661]

I think they should somehow translate from back home into the new country.

[ceadsearc 515]

I think they should somehow translate from back home into the new country.

That would only be feasible if your home country would continue to pay them out in your new country. Not every country can afford to give the same benefits, and the USA specifically requires a sponsor BEFORE you become an LPR to ensure you won't need benefits.

[BethandBilly 86]

I have to wonder why you would think the country you left should still give you benefits once you have left and why a new country, the one you chose to live in, should pay you any benefits until you have paid in to their system for a few years, sorry I find that very odd.

[Dana-Mića 51]

When my family first arrived they received food stamps or should I say we and we didn't have to pay them back. Oh and we didnt have them for too long just for the first few months. Did we sit around and not do anything? Nope my dad got a job the second week here and my mom 6 months after she got here, the rest of us went to school. I should say that we came here through IRC from a war torn country and that might of qualified us but regardless the point is we didn't just use and abuse the system , they got jobs worked hard and still do.

Edited April 16, 2012 by Dana-Mića

[Peter_Pan 661]

I have to wonder why you would think the country you left should still give you benefits once you have left and why a new country, the one you chose to live in, should pay you any benefits until you have paid in to their system for a few years, sorry I find that very odd.

Because I have paid into those benefits and it is only natural that I get them, no?

Take unemployment - I have been putting into that a hefty sum for 7 years now. Once I quit my job, I should get it, without my location being problematic.

[BethandBilly 86]

Because I have paid into those benefits and it is only natural that I get them, no?

Take unemployment - I have been putting into that a hefty sum for 7 years now. Once I quit my job, I should get it, without my location being problematic.

I paid my taxes for over 20 years, never took from the state and now I am living in a different country, honestly no I don't feel I should be able to take the money I paid in, in truth it never occurred to me to even feel that way. Oh well, it takes all sorts I guess.

[ceadsearc 515]

You probably would be able to get unemployment when you quit if you were unemployed in the country you paid in to. How would they even verify that you weren't actually working in your new country AND claiming in your old?

Also, there ARE some exceptions to the I-864 and the ban on certain means tests benefits - some people, like asylees, are eligible.

[anita_t 4]

Because I have paid into those benefits and it is only natural that I get them, no?

Take unemployment - I have been putting into that a hefty sum for 7 years now. Once I quit my job, I should get it, without my location being problematic.

Transfering benefits from your home country to the US it's not feasable at all. You made the choice to move with it's pros and cons. But in all fairness most likely you got your whole education free of charge...Have you thought about paying back that money since you are leaving Romania?

[Kayleigh+Kyle 0]

So, let me try to get this straight. I (the USC) applied for food stamps. Husband (green card holder) was listed on the application, as I felt I had to list him. Since he is not a USC, they aren't providing him the food stamps, but it bases off of his income and mine? I'm just not sure if this would end up getting billed to my father (co-sponsor).

I hate that we had to apply for them at all. I was working 40+ hours a week up until late December, when our son was born. While I was on maternity leave, things slowed down at my job, and now I'm only working 23-24 hours a week. While it's great to have to the time with my son, it's definitely put a strain on the budget.

[Peter_Pan 661]

I paid my taxes for over 20 years, never took from the state and now I am living in a different country, honestly no I don't feel I should be able to take the money I paid in, in truth it never occurred to me to even feel that way. Oh well, it takes all sorts I guess.

Well, I do. It is only fair, no?

I am guessing you don't want the retirement money either?

Transfering benefits from your home country to the US it's not feasable at all. You made the choice to move with it's pros and cons. But in all fairness most likely you got your whole education free of charge...Have you thought about paying back that money since you are leaving Romania?

Yes, I know it doesn't work like that, would be nice if it did.

And I had to pay for some of my education, and since it won't translate ... sounds like wasted money, no?

Edited May 21, 2012 by Peter_Pan

[ceadsearc 515]

So, let me try to get this straight. I (the USC) applied for food stamps. Husband (green card holder) was listed on the application, as I felt I had to list him. Since he is not a USC, they aren't providing him the food stamps, but it bases off of his income and mine? I'm just not sure if this would end up getting billed to my father (co-sponsor).

I hate that we had to apply for them at all. I was working 40+ hours a week up until late December, when our son was born. While I was on maternity leave, things slowed down at my job, and now I'm only working 23-24 hours a week. While it's great to have to the time with my son, it's definitely put a strain on the budget.

They base it off the household size but only the USC would get the benefits - which it sounds like is what (correctly) happened in your case. Since your LPR spouse isn't receiving the benefits USCIS doesn't care & won't go after your cosponsor.

[grrrrreat 109]

So, let me try to get this straight. I (the USC) applied for food stamps. Husband (green card holder) was listed on the application, as I felt I had to list him. Since he is not a USC, they aren't providing him the food stamps, but it bases off of his income and mine? I'm just not sure if this would end up getting billed to my father (co-sponsor).

I hate that we had to apply for them at all. I was working 40+ hours a week up until late December, when our son was born. While I was on maternity leave, things slowed down at my job, and now I'm only working 23-24 hours a week. While it's great to have to the time with my son, it's definitely put a strain on the budget.

LPRs may or may not qualify for food stamps, it just depends on the rules in your state: http://otda.ny.gov/programs/publications/4832.pdf

Even if the LPR doesn't qualify, the USC spouse and children might, in which case the USC would get benefits for himself and the children, but the LPR would be excluded. But yes, they will likely count income from the entire household in determining eligibility, including the LPR.

The "public charge" test isn't necessarily met by accepting food stamps, especially on behalf of minor children.

Edited May 22, 2012 by grrrrreat