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I am unemployed: can I apply for a waiver of the fees for N400? pls advice
- Thread starter penso
- Start date
namecheckvictim
Registered Users (C)
If you fulfill these requirements then you can apply but be advised if your Fee waiver request gets denied you have to start all over again.
Note: There is no official USCIS fee waiver form--you have to write it yourself.
You must include proof that:
you qualify for a "federal means-tested benefit," such as S.S.I, food stamps, Medicaid or TANF. (send a copy of any notice from the agency that shows that you qualified to receive the benefit within the last 6 months)
your household income for the last tax year was below the poverty guidelines on the bottom of this page (send a copy of your latest income tax return, W-2 form, and/or a letter from your employer)
NOTE: other situations may qualify you for a waiver. (Check with Lynne in the ESL Office for more information.)
Keep in mind:
If your N-400 application shows that your have a husband, wife, or adult children living at the same household, you also need proof that these family members cannot pay the fee for you.
If your request for a waiver is denied, the whole application package will be sent back to you, and you must start over again.
To request a letter from SSI: (to verify that you receive benefits):
Call 1-800-772-1213 Press 1 (if you want a message in English), then 3 for a menu of options. Press 2 for the benefit verification service. They will ask for your social security number and name, and to spell the last name. The letter should arrive in 2-4 weeks.
Or go to Request A Proof of Income Letter and make the request on line.
2010 HHS Poverty Guidelines
Size of Family Unit Poverty Guidline
1 $10,830
2 $14,570
3 $18,310
4 $22,050
5 $25,790
6 $29,530
7 $33,270
8 $37,010
For families with more than 8 persons, add $3,740 for each additional person.
Note: There is no official USCIS fee waiver form--you have to write it yourself.
You must include proof that:
you qualify for a "federal means-tested benefit," such as S.S.I, food stamps, Medicaid or TANF. (send a copy of any notice from the agency that shows that you qualified to receive the benefit within the last 6 months)
your household income for the last tax year was below the poverty guidelines on the bottom of this page (send a copy of your latest income tax return, W-2 form, and/or a letter from your employer)
NOTE: other situations may qualify you for a waiver. (Check with Lynne in the ESL Office for more information.)
Keep in mind:
If your N-400 application shows that your have a husband, wife, or adult children living at the same household, you also need proof that these family members cannot pay the fee for you.
If your request for a waiver is denied, the whole application package will be sent back to you, and you must start over again.
To request a letter from SSI: (to verify that you receive benefits):
Call 1-800-772-1213 Press 1 (if you want a message in English), then 3 for a menu of options. Press 2 for the benefit verification service. They will ask for your social security number and name, and to spell the last name. The letter should arrive in 2-4 weeks.
Or go to Request A Proof of Income Letter and make the request on line.
2010 HHS Poverty Guidelines
Size of Family Unit Poverty Guidline
1 $10,830
2 $14,570
3 $18,310
4 $22,050
5 $25,790
6 $29,530
7 $33,270
8 $37,010
For families with more than 8 persons, add $3,740 for each additional person.
Last edited by a moderator:
Al Southner
Registered Users (C)
There is a new form which you can use to request a waiver, see the link below. However, just like other people have alluded to, use the little $$$ you have coming to file, so that it can just move through the process, because in my view, the time it takes to adjudicate whether you qualify for the waiver is rather long and if the request is denied, you are resetting the clock with your application, by having to file a new one.
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/us...nnel=6ca66d26d17df110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/us...nnel=6ca66d26d17df110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD
FROM: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/us...nnel=911b58a734cd9210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD
Q. Wait Times – Callers noted that there are long wait times for adjudication of fee waiver requests and there is no way to track fee waivers once submitted to USCIS.
USCIS Response: USCIS strives to adjudicate fee waivers within 5 days (unless there is a request for evidence). There was a backlog in the summer of 2009; however, that backlog has been cleared as of September 2009, and processing times for fee waiver requests are currently meeting or exceeding agency goals.
Q. Wait Times – Callers noted that there are long wait times for adjudication of fee waiver requests and there is no way to track fee waivers once submitted to USCIS.
USCIS Response: USCIS strives to adjudicate fee waivers within 5 days (unless there is a request for evidence). There was a backlog in the summer of 2009; however, that backlog has been cleared as of September 2009, and processing times for fee waiver requests are currently meeting or exceeding agency goals.