New Poverty Guidelines Issued
 Posted Mar 22, 2002
On February 14, 2002, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) updated the Poverty Income Guidelines for 2002. These guidelines are particularly important in those immigration matters that require the long version of the Affidavit of Support known as Form I-864. The guidelines are effective for I-864s as of April 1, 2002. Please note that for certain other legal purposes, the guidelines take effect as of their publication date. Each year, the DHHS releases updated poverty guideline figures as required by law.

The I-864 is required for family-based, permanent immigration cases. It is also required in those few employment-based cases in which a relative of the beneficiary owns 5% or more of the sponsoring company. In these cases, it is necessary for the petitioner to establish that s/he has sufficient means to support the beneficiary. The basic requirement is an income that is at least 125% of the poverty guidelines. There are certain, alternative means of meeting the requirement when the petitioner's income is not sufficient.
 
The guidelines for 2002 are as follows :

 

2002 Poverty Guidelines for the 48 Contiguous States and the District of Columbia

Size of family unit

Poverty guideline

1

$   8,860

2 11,940  
3 15,020
4 18,100  
5 21,180
6 24,260  
7 27,340
8 30,420  

For family units with more than 8 members, add 
$ 3,080 for each additional member. (The same increment applies to smaller family sizes also, as can be seen in the figures above.)

 

2002 Poverty Guidelines for Alaska

Size of family unit

Poverty guideline

1

$ 11,080

2 14,930  
3 18,780
4 22,630  
5 26,480
6 30,330  
7 34,180
8 38,030  

For family units with more than 8 members, add 
$ 3,850 for each additional member. (The same increment applies to smaller family sizes also, as can be seen in the figures above.)

 

2002 Poverty Guidelines for Hawaii

Size of family unit

Poverty guideline

1 $  10,200
2 13,740  
3 17,280
4 20,820  
5 24,360
6 27,900  
7 31,440
8 34,980  

For family units with more than 8 members, add 
$ 3,540 for each additional member. (The same increment applies to smaller family sizes also, as can be seen in the figures above.)


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