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2008 Poverty
Guidelines Released
Posted
Feb 01, 2008
©MurthyDotCom
Federal poverty guidelines are issued on an annual basis by the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and effect the "public charge"
provisions in immigration cases. The guidelines for 2008 have been issued,
effective from January 23, 2008. Modified annually, the guidelines are based
upon changes in the Consumer Price Index. They are used to measure the
sufficiency of a sponsor's income when filing Form I-864, the Affidavit of
Support, primarily on various family-based applications. It is also
applicable to visa issuance from abroad for family members.
©MurthyDotCom
Financial Issues Applicable Primarily in
FB Immigration Cases
©MurthyDotCom
The Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, is required in family-based (FB)
immigration cases, with very limited exceptions. It is also required in
employment-based immigration cases if the employer is related to the
individual who is being sponsored. This is to assure that the sponsored
foreign national will have proper financial support and will not become a
public charge. The affidavit of support must demonstrate income levels of at
least 125 percent of the applicable poverty level.
©MurthyDotCom
Poverty Guidelines in the U.S.
©MurthyDotCom
The income required varies according to the number of family members. If the
sponsor has previously filed I-864s for other individuals, and has an
ongoing obligation, this also is taken into account. When the sponsor's
income is not sufficient, there can be alternatives. These include
consideration of assets, as well as utilizing an additional, joint sponsor
with more financial wherewithal. Case specific matters with regard to the
affidavit of support and its requirements can be discussed with an
immigration attorney.
©MurthyDotCom
The 2008 poverty guidelines are as follows. The requirement for the
affidavit of support is 125 percent of the poverty line.
48 Contiguous
States plus Washington DC
|
|
Size of Family
Unit |
Guideline |
|
1 |
$
|
10,400 |
|
2 |
|
14,000 |
|
3 |
|
17,600 |
|
4 |
|
21,200 |
|
5 |
|
24,800 |
|
6 |
|
28,400 |
|
7 |
|
32,000 |
|
8 |
|
35,600 |
|
For family units with more than 8 members, add $3,600
for each additional member.
|
|
|
|
Size of Family
Unit |
Guideline |
|
1 |
$
|
13,000 |
|
2 |
|
17,500 |
|
3 |
|
22,000 |
|
4 |
|
26,500 |
|
5 |
|
31,000 |
|
6 |
|
35,500 |
|
7 |
|
40,000 |
|
8 |
|
44,500 |
|
For family units with more than 8 members, add $4,500
for each additional member.
|
|
|
|
Size of Family
Unit |
Guideline |
|
1 |
$
|
11,960 |
|
2 |
|
16,100 |
|
3 |
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20,240 |
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4 |
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24,380 |
|
5 |
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28,20 |
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6 |
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32,660 |
|
7 |
|
36,800 |
|
8 |
|
40,940 |
|
For family units with more than 8 members, add $4140 for each additional member. |
Copyright © 2008, MURTHY LAW
FIRM. All Rights Reserved
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