Responsibility for GC sponsor

[bwong]

I have a question regarding the responsibility of GC sponsor. My friend Linda is a US citizen and she applied GC for her Dad. While her Dad was waiting for the GC in US, he got heart attack and was sent to emergency room. A few days of hospital stay resulted in a huge medical bill. Her Dad was under 65 and had no insurance at all. Now the question is:

(1) Her Dad does not have any income and can not afford to pay the bill. He has got the GC now. If he does not pay back the money, will that have any impact on his GC? For example, GC being taken back?

(2) As the GC sponsor, is Linda responsible for paying the bill for her Dad?

(3) Linda lives with her Dad. If the bill goes to collection, does the debt collector have the right to call Linda's home phone and annoy her and her Dad?

If any of you has similar experience, could you please share with us? Thanks in advance!

 

[TheRealCanadian]

If he does not pay back the money, will that have any impact on his GC? For example, GC being taken back?

No.

(2) As the GC sponsor, is Linda responsible for paying the bill for her Dad?

No/

Linda lives with her Dad. If the bill goes to collection, does the debt collector have the right to call Linda's home phone and annoy her and her Dad?

Pretty much. Her father can also be sued, and any joint assets seized. Google Fair Debt Collection Practices Act for what can and cannot be done by collection agencies.

 

[bestpal]

No.



No/



Pretty much. Her father can also be sued, and any joint assets seized. Google Fair Debt Collection Practices Act for what can and cannot be done by collection agencies.

They cannot seized any asset until they sued you and with a court order to seize your asset. They can call your number and ask for your dad but they cannot tell you how much $$$ your dad owed them. Like TheRealCandian saids..Google Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

 

[AzBlk]

I have a question regarding the responsibility of GC sponsor. My friend Linda is a US citizen and she applied GC for her Dad. While her Dad was waiting for the GC in US, he got heart attack and was sent to emergency room. A few days of hospital stay resulted in a huge medical bill. Her Dad was under 65 and had no insurance at all. Now the question is:

(1) Her Dad does not have any income and can not afford to pay the bill. He has got the GC now. If he does not pay back the money, will that have any impact on his GC? For example, GC being taken back?

(2) As the GC sponsor, is Linda responsible for paying the bill for her Dad?

(3) Linda lives with her Dad. If the bill goes to collection, does the debt collector have the right to call Linda's home phone and annoy her and her Dad?

If any of you has similar experience, could you please share with us? Thanks in advance!

Hospitals typically will not sue over unpaid bills. Although these bills can be a very big drag on your credit. The responsibility of the sponsors is limited to federal means tested benefits and keeping the sponsored immigrant at or 125% of the poverty line.

 

[bwong]

Thanks all for offering your suggestions

The credit drag is really on her Dad, not Linda herself, right? Since he has no plan to find a job, or apply for credit card or buy house/car. The credit damage should not matter, is this right? He'll apply for Medical when he's 65, will the unpaid debt have any impact on that?

Thanks!!!

 

[second stage]

(1) Her Dad does not have any income and can not afford to pay the bill. He has got the GC now. If he does not pay back the money, will that have any impact on his GC? For example, GC being taken back?

Don't think so.

(2) As the GC sponsor, is Linda responsible for paying the bill for her Dad?

Quite likely.

Read page 3 of I-864 - "How long does my obligation as a sponsor continue"

(3) Linda lives with her Dad. If the bill goes to collection, does the debt collector have the right to call Linda's home phone and annoy her and her Dad?

Maybe if he gave her home number as his contact number.

 

[TheRealCanadian]

Since he has no plan to find a job, or apply for credit card or buy house/car. The credit damage should not matter, is this right? He'll apply for Medical when he's 65, will the unpaid debt have any impact on that?

How does he plan on qualifying for Medicare?

 

[bwong]

How does he plan on qualifying for Medicare?

I think he's going to apply for Medi-CAL not Medicare. Medi-CAL is for people who live in CA and is 65 years old and is legal resident (like GC holder).