Extra income needed

[darktiger 0]

Hello guys, 

I have a few questions.  My fiancee just had her interview last Thursday at the USEM Manila and we got a hard hit when it came to my income. I get a lil over 21,000 at work a year.

So can someone tell me what is the poverty guideline? I've looked it up but I'm confused.

What are other supporting documents can we submit?  FYI : I dont have assets, properties, or stocks. (sad)

Also, can I add my SSI benefits as an add up to my income?

Thank you for all your help guys.

[user555 195]

If it's just for you and your fiancee (two people), you need at least $21,137.

https://www.uscis.gov/i-864p 

What did the officer say? You can add assets like stocks or savings or get a sponsor. 

Edited January 25, 2020 by user555
added e to fiancee

[geowrian 22,335]

* Moved from K-1 Progress Reports to Process & Procedures *

 

The minimum requirements to qualify as a sponsor are in the I-864P as linked above.

Note that the above is the minimum to qualify. Under = no visa. Over = judgement call.

The CO makes a public charge determination based upon a totality of the circumstances.

FAM reference for determining the totality of circumstances: https://fam.state.gov/FAM/09FAM/09FAM030208.html#M302_8_2_B_2

 

I don't believe you can use SSI as part of your income, but I will defer to others as I am not certain, sorry.

For an employee, you can provide paystubs and/or an employment letter. Manila has also accepted W-2s, IIRC.

For somebody who is self-employed, the most recent year's tax return would be evidence of your current income.

Note that W-2s won't work as evidence of income for the I-864 for AOS. They want the entire tax return + evidence of current income.

 

You can possibly use a co sponsor (see below).

 

43 minutes ago, user555 said:

You can add assets like stocks or savings or get a sponsor. 

"FYI : I dont have assets, properties, or stocks. (sad)"

Manila generally does not consider assets for the I-134 anyway.

Manila accepts a co sponsor on a case by case basis for the I-134. Generally they need to be a close family member of long term friend.

 

This differs from an immigrant visa that uses an I-864, in which they must consider assets and/or a joint sponsor. It doesn't guarantee they will accept it , but they must consider it.

The I-134 is only a tool whereas the I-864 is a legally binding document.

Edited January 25, 2020 by geowrian

[Hank_ 9,173]

6 hours ago, darktiger said:

Hello guys, 

I have a few questions.  My fiancee just had her interview last Thursday at the USEM Manila and we got a hard hit when it came to my income. I get a lil over 21,000 at work a year.

So can someone tell me what is the poverty guideline? I've looked it up but I'm confused.

What are other supporting documents can we submit?  FYI : I dont have assets, properties, or stocks. (sad)

Also, can I add my SSI benefits as an add up to my income?

Thank you for all your help guys.

 

You need to use the 125% guideline in the Philippines, which as noted already is $21,137.    https://www.uscis.gov/i-864p

 

Yes you can use SSI benefits as income.  It is classified as unearned income (meaning you didn't work to receive it), but it is income.    Make sure to print out a copy of your benefits letter from SSA to include as evidence of this income (did you receive a SSA 1099? include a copy of that also).   

 

Being that you didn't include this income initially may cause to the CO to hesitate on accepting this and may still want a joint sponsor .. so be prepared.   Complete a new I-134, list everything once more, including the SSI and submit that with your SSI income evidence.  Then ... 🤞

 

Guide for the visa process in the Philippines   https://www.visaconnection-philippines.com/us-embassy-usem.html

 

Philippines forum https://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/129-philippines/

 

Edited January 25, 2020 by Hank_

[geowrian 22,335]

9 hours ago, Hank_ said:

Yes you can use SSI benefits as income.  It is classified as unearned income (meaning you didn't work to receive it), but it is income.

Thanks! I've seen conflicting reports on SSI so I wasn't sure how it was viewed here.

[Hank_ 9,173]

5 hours ago, geowrian said:

Thanks! I've seen conflicting reports on SSI so I wasn't sure how it was viewed here.

 

The only issue I have seen with SSI is for those that want to "move to the Phils"  .. SSI doesn't travel well.    

 

But it is income .. 

[darktiger 0]

3 hours ago, Hank_ said:

 

The only issue I have seen with SSI is for those that want to "move to the Phils"  .. SSI doesn't travel well.    

 

But it is income .. 

User555:

The CO didn't say much. She just told my fiancee that she's not going to approve the visa for now. So she just handed two papers to my fiancee she printed and said that the person in window 74 is going to explain what's on the paper.

 

Hank:

No, I haven't received SSA 1099.  Also, will USEM Manila accept a joint sponsor? Because my fiancee asked this question to the person that she spoke with (in window 74) and the woman said that they won't allow it.   However, if it's possible for us to have a joint sponsor.  What documents should I prepare?

 

Thank you guys!

Edited January 26, 2020 by darktiger

[SalishSea 16,770]

13 minutes ago, darktiger said:

Also, will USEM Manila accept a joint sponsor? Because my fiancee asked this question to the person that she spoke with (in window 74) and the woman said that they won't allow it.   However, if it's possible for us to have a joint sponsor.  What documents should I prepare?

If the embassy itself says they will not accept a joint sponsor, then they will not - simple as that.  No documents to prepare.

 

Maybe work on improving/increasing job skills/education/get a second job?

[Hank_ 9,173]

6 hours ago, darktiger said:

User555:

The CO didn't say much. She just told my fiancee that she's not going to approve the visa for now. So she just handed two papers to my fiancee she printed and said that the person in window 74 is going to explain what's on the paper.

 

Hank:

No, I haven't received SSA 1099.  Also, will USEM Manila accept a joint sponsor? Because my fiancee asked this question to the person that she spoke with (in window 74) and the woman said that they won't allow it.   However, if it's possible for us to have a joint sponsor.  What documents should I prepare?

 

Thank you guys!

With the K-1 they are not required to accept a joint sponsor, it is totally at the discretion of the CO.  With the Philippines if they are going to consider a joint sponsor they want it to be a close family member; parents or siblings.

 

You didn't receive your SSA 1099 yet?  Have you received one in previous years?        Can you go online to SSA and print out your benefits letter ?

[Greenbaum 12,258]

18 hours ago, geowrian said:

Thanks! I've seen conflicting reports on SSI so I wasn't sure how it was viewed here.

I was receiving SSI after my wife passed and I listed it in the I-134 evidence and it was accepted.

Edited January 26, 2020 by Greenbaum

[darktiger 0]

On 1/26/2020 at 6:39 AM, Hank_ said:

With the K-1 they are not required to accept a joint sponsor, it is totally at the discretion of the CO.  With the Philippines if they are going to consider a joint sponsor they want it to be a close family member; parents or siblings.

 

You didn't receive your SSA 1099 yet?  Have you received one in previous years?        Can you go online to SSA and print out your benefits letter ?

Hank: 
I haven't received an SSA letter before but I will work on it. 

P.S: 
Thank you again everyone for all of your inputs and for taking the time to reply to our queries. We appreciate it big time.

[Hank_ 9,173]

6 hours ago, darktiger said:

Hank: 
I haven't received an SSA letter before but I will work on it. 

P.S: 
Thank you again everyone for all of your inputs and for taking the time to reply to our queries. We appreciate it big time.

You get the benefits letter online.  Log into your SSA acct, then print out your benefits letter