On February 24, 1998, the Department of Health and Human Services published an update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines (63 FR 9235). The new guidelines became effective on April 1, 1998. The guidelines are especially important since the public charge rules for most immigrant visa applications require a showing that an immigrant’s sponsor have an income that is at least 125 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for the indicated family size (100 percent for members of the armed forces). The following charts show the new numbers being used in immigrant applications: For the 48 Contiguous States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam
Family Unit Size Poverty Guidelines Poverty Guidelines
100% 125%
2 $10,850 $13,562
3 $13,650 $17,062
4 $16,450 $20,562
5 $19,250 $24,062
6 $22,050 $27,562
7 $24,850 $31,062
8 $27,650 $34,562
Each family member above the eighth, add $2,800 (100%) or $3,500 (125%) For Alaska
Family Unit Size Poverty Guidelines Poverty Guidelines 100% 125% 2 $13,570 $16,962 3 $17,070 $21,337 4 $20,570 $25,712 5 $24,070 $30,087 6 $27,570 $34,462 7 $31,070 $38,837 8 $34,570 $43,212
Each family member above the eighth, add $3,500 (100%) or $4,375 (125%) For Hawaii
Family Unit Size Poverty Guidelines Poverty Guidelines 100% 125% 2 $12,480 $15,600 3 $15,700 $19,625 4 $18,920 $23,650 5 $22,140 $27,675 6 $25,360 $31,700 7 $28,580 $35,725 8 $31,800 $39,750
Each family member above the eighth, add $3,220 (100%) or $4,025 (125%)
Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided as a public service and not intended to establish an attorney client relationship. Any reliance on information contained herein is taken at your own risk.