Immigrant Marrying a Food Stamps Recipient
I`ll try and keep this short. Got married August this year. I entered the country on a 90 vistor visa waiver program and overstayed due different reasons before getting married. We have spoken to a case worker regarding our situtation and have been told that we need a sponsor which we have due to my wife being on a fixed income and cannot work due to disabilities and was told since I haven`t been in any trouble with the police everything should be ok. My wife and I will be filing paperwork for me hopefully mid October due to saving funds for the paperwork. Here`s the issue, my wife gets food stamps has has been told she has to renew them due her name changed. Now if she says she`s married how will that effect my green card process. Will I have to go on her food stamp case and she claims for me? We was led to believe by our case worker that getting a sponsor means that I would not have to claim goverment assistance. We`ver tried contacting the case worker but she`s out of town right now and cannot get an answer. We was thinking since I don`t have a status yet then she couldn`t claim for me as I don`t have social security number. Personally I don`t want to claim food stamps or anything like that as would not want to mess up any chance we have of being able to stay together. Any help or info would be grateful.
Re: Immigrant Marrying a Food Stamps Recipient
Your joining her household could affect her household income and thus her eligibility for food stamps. If you're not working that shouldn't be an issue.
Re: Immigrant Marrying a Food Stamps Recipient
The USCIS website has a discussion of "means tested benefits" as they pertain to new green card holders. I have not looked for a discussion on the effect of a sponsor receiving means tested benefits but expect that there is likely one available.
Re: Immigrant Marrying a Food Stamps Recipient
Well she has her problem, but you're still here illegally. If you ever hope to get that status changed you need to get that fixed (and it probably will require you to leave the US).
Re: Immigrant Marrying a Food Stamps Recipient
Do not leave the country...you originally entered legally, so you can stay here while you adjust your status.