Food stamps - hurting the process of obtaining Citizenship?

[valkener]

Hello all,
I have a green card and am married to a US Citizen. I got my green card through my mom who is a US citizen as well. My wife and I are both students and currently I am the only one working. We would qualify for food stamps, but I do not want to get any troubles in three years when I will apply for citizenship.

During my naturalization process I filed numerous documents including affidavit of support, financial sponsor, etc. It was a huge pain to get my green card and now I wonder if I should get food stamps or not. Quite frankly, they would be a big help to my wife and I but we could probably manage without. Should I apply for food stamps or not?

Thank you for your expertise.

 

[BigJoe5]

LOOK at: http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#documentDetail?R=0900006480b690d7 for instructions to the upcoming fee waiver form. Receiving them when you file certain USCIS forms can serve as a basis for a fee waiver.

ALSO: http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Resources/F3en.pdf for the consequences for your sponsor.

Although the government and the sponsored alien can legally sue a sponsor for support, it is a rare thing that usually only comes during a bitter divorce.

It is EXTREMELY UNLIKELY that the state or federal government would ever even ask a sponsor to reimburse for food stamps provided to a sponsored alien.

 

[Jackolantern]

Theoretically your mom (and joint sponsors, if any) could be sued to recover the funds. But that is rare; usually these days they simply refuse to give you the aid in the first place, because you are a new permanent resident. Generally the states will deny such aid to people who have a GC for less than 5 years.

However, your wife as a USC may be eligible, and if she accepts the food stamps or other aid it won't affect your chances of citizenship or result in your mother having any liability. But your income (and possibly your mother's income, if you both live with her) is likely to be looked at when they are deciding if she is eligible.