SSDI?

[COUSA 8]

 I am on SSDI after a long career of working. My monthly take-home is a little over $2000 in addition to some part-time work that I do during the school year as a substitute teacher. 

 Do people on SSDI get scrutinized more carefully? I'm just curious. I've only recently been engaging in conversation with a lady but I was curious about that if something would move forward. 

[Russ&Caro 1,548]

I wouldn't think there's extra scrutiny of people on disability. However, if you haven't already gathered this, international relationships are inherently expensive. There are big expenses that you're probably not even considering. This is just one example but after your spouse finally arrives in the USA and you've spent a lot of money to get him/her here and your combined savings are tapped out, what happens when she/he starts to desperately miss their family after only 3 months and you need a spare $1,500 to send him/her home for a spell? Multiply that by 4 or 5 and you'll probably have the contingency fund you need to be ready for unexpected things.

 

Don't mean to scare you off but prepare for the worst. Good luck.

[Boiler 43,676]

Probably a major factor to consider is that she will be looking to send money back to support her family

[Chair_force1 195]

the only thing that will get scrutinized is your income level and if you meet the minimum requirements

[geowrian 22,336]

8 hours ago, Chair_force1 said:

the only thing that will get scrutinized is your income level and if you meet the minimum requirements

Just for clarity, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee anything. They are only minimums...the CO or IO makes the decision on the public charge concern based on the totality of the circumstances.

[Socalked 3]

FIrst, you might want to clarify if the SSDI is for retirement or disability, as it seems a little confusing since you state " a long  career of working" and a reply mentioned "disability" by a poster.

 

The only scrutiny that maybe noticed is if you mention your "side teaching jobs" in addition to your social security, if you disabled. Because if you are disabled, how can you be "teaching on the side" when a requirement of the disability states permanently disabled and can't work at all?  This could be seen as fraud.

 

If you've worked a long career and retired, and still work on the side, that's a decent citizen and you deserve happiness. 

[payxibka 10,044]

Just now, Socalked said:

FIrst, you might want to clarify if the SSDI is for retirement or disability, as it seems a little confusing since you state " a long  career of working" and a reply mentioned "disability" by a poster.

 

The only scrutiny that maybe noticed is if you mention your "side teaching jobs" in addition to your social security, if you disabled. Because if you are disabled, how can you be "teaching on the side" when a requirement of the disability states permanently disabled and can't work at all?  This could be seen as fraud.

 

If you've worked a long career and retired, and still work on the side, that's a decent citizen and you deserve happiness. 

SSDI is by definition disability

[COUSA 8]

On 1/31/2018 at 7:32 PM, payxibka said:

SSDI is by definition disability

  I started receiving SSDI in 2015 because of a loss of limb. BKA.  I'm allowed to make up to $1100 per month without penalty. If it was nontaxable income that would be a different formula they use. But I'm working as a substitute teacher 10 days per month. Or less. So I'm not pushing the limits any. I've clarified this with Social Security a number times because I wanted to make sure before I went back to work that I wasn't penalized. 

[debbiedoo 2,339]

i dont think it matters where the income is from in your case, but will it be enough to qualify financially. If you have no dependents, then probably youd be fine.

 

But as someone else said, LD relationships are PRICEY. Even in our case, when we can drive, its still $200 in gas round trip (slightly less in my little car). Do that every 3 weeks and it adds up fast. Then, I prefer to fly, and thats $500 each time. Not to mention I have child and dog care expenses regardless of HOW i go up there (Which is why he comes here most often lol). Then the costs of the visa and all its related items, and I *think* for the AOS, your income has to be slightly higher than for the K1 application itself ( I could be mistaken on that but thats what I seem to remember).

[COUSA 8]

On 1/23/2018 at 7:27 PM, Boiler said:

Probably a major factor to consider is that she will be looking to send money back to support her family

Oh I know. this isn't my first go of it. I have already sent her some small Remittances.  not anything I couldn't spare.  Now she wants a J7 Phone for PhP 15,500 USD$300.  I'm like cool your jets.  She's a very Nice Lady, from OZ Pagadian City area.   Its always a learning experience. 

[COUSA 8]

On 1/23/2018 at 7:14 PM, Russ&Caro said:

I wouldn't think there's extra scrutiny of people on disability. However, if you haven't already gathered this, international relationships are inherently expensive. There are big expenses that you're probably not even considering. This is just one example but after your spouse finally arrives in the USA and you've spent a lot of money to get him/her here and your combined savings are tapped out, what happens when she/he starts to desperately miss their family after only 3 months and you need a spare $1,500 to send him/her home for a spell? Multiply that by 4 or 5 and you'll probably have the contingency fund you need to be ready for unexpected things.

 

Don't mean to scare you off but prepare for the worst. Good luck.

I'm not easily scared.  Since she would be traveling to USA, I don't think she can just go back to PI after 5 months. Or at least there was a rule before like that.