2004 Poverty
Guidelines - For Immigrant Affidavit of Support
The Department of Health and
Human Services on February 13, 2004, published its annual update of the Poverty
Guidelines, taking into account increases in prices as measured by the Consumer
Price Index. These guidelines are used in calculating levels of income and
assets that immigrant visa petitioners and joint sponsors must demonstrate in
their I-864, Affidavits of Support.
The following are the 2004
Poverty Guidelines for the 48 Contiguous States and the District of
Columbia:
| Size of Family Unit
|
Poverty
Guidelines |
125
Percent |
| 1 |
$9,310 |
$11,638 |
| 2 |
$12,490 |
$15,613 |
| 3 |
$15,670 |
$19,588 |
| 4 |
$18,850 |
$23,563 |
| 5 |
$22,030 |
$27,538 |
| 6 |
$25,210 |
$31,513 |
| 7 |
$28,390 |
$35,488 |
| 8 |
$31,570 |
$39,463 |
For family units
with more than 8 members, add 3,180 for each additional member to meet the
poverty guideline; 3,975 to meet 125% of the poverty guideline.
The following are the 2004 Poverty
Guidelines for Alaska:
| Size of Family Unit
|
100 Percent
|
125
Percent |
| 1 |
$11,630 |
$14,538 |
| 2 |
$15,610 |
$19,513 |
| 3 |
$19,590 |
$24,488 |
| 4 |
$23,570 |
$29,463 |
| 5 |
$27,550 |
$34,438 |
| 6 |
$31,530 |
$39,413 |
| 7 |
$35,510 |
$44,388 |
| 8 |
$39,490 |
$49,363 |
Add 3,980 for each
additional member to meet the poverty guideline; 4,975 to meet 125% of the
poverty guideline.
The following are the 2004 Poverty
Guidelines for Hawaii:
| Size of Family Unit
|
100 Percent
|
125
Percent |
| 1 |
$10,700 |
$13,375 |
| 2 |
$14,360 |
$17,950 |
| 3 |
$18,020 |
$22,525 |
| 4 |
$21,680 |
$27,100 |
| 5 |
$25,340 |
$31,675 |
| 6 |
$29,000 |
$36,250 |
| 7 |
$32,660 |
$40,825 |
| 8 |
$36,320 |
$45,400 |
Add 3,660 for
each additional member to meet the poverty guideline; 4,575 to meet 125% of the
poverty guideline.
When processing immigrant
visa cases requiring an Affidavit of Support (I-864) requirement, under
immigration law, the embassy consular section uses figures in the column on the
right (125% of poverty guidelines) as the minimum income that a petitioner
and/or a joint sponsor must demonstrate, or the column on the left (100%) for an
active member of the U.S. Armed Forces sponsoring his or her spouse or children.
Consular officers will consider the "totality of circumstances" (including the
applicant's age, health, and education). Visa issuance can be denied if the
applicant appears likely to become a public charge despite satisfying the
poverty guideline requirements above.
March 2004
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