i864a Question, under "Part 3" - does where the join sponsor check matter?

[BeefedRamen 3]

Hi.

For the i864A, is it necessary for my joint sponsor (my mother) to have the correct employment status checked under Part 3?

She's retired, but she insists on putting "housewife" even though her husband died a few years ago.

She refuses to check "retired" because she's ashamed of her last job as working in a supermarket. The last time she worked was back in 2007.
 

What should I do in this situation? Does it matter for the Embassy Interview?

[TBoneTX 48,621]

Your mother is proud.  Nothing wrong with that.

The a$$et$ should be more important than the precise employment status.

Explain it in a cover letter, then at document-collection, then at the interview, just as you have to us.

Everyone should be understanding.

[pushbrk 14,120]

The source of income kind of explains the situation, but I would not enter any untrue information.  There is no box to check as "housewife".  I doubt it will pass NVC without checking one of the boxes.  She's retired.  She need not mention her last job.  Also, unless she needs to combine income with you, she should be providing an I-864, not the I-864a.  That's what a joint sponsor does.