2004 Federal Poverty Guidelines Issued

IMMIGRATION LAW & POLICY

Public Charge

2004 federal poverty guidelines issued
Immigrants' Rights Update, Vol. 18, No. 2, April 2, 2004

The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services has issued updated federal poverty income guidelines that took effect Feb. 13, 2004. The guidelines, which serve as a basis for determining eligibility for many means-tested benefits, are updated yearly to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index. Under the affidavit of support requirements created by the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, sponsors seeking to immigrate family members must establish that they have an income of at least 125 percent of the federal poverty income. The table below contains the new guidelines.

2004 Federal Poverty Income Guidelines
FAMILY UNIT SIZE	48 CONTIGUOUS STATES & D.C.	ALASKA	HAWAII
1	$ 9,310	$11,630	$10,700
2	12,490	15,610	14,360
3	15,670	19,590	18,020
4	18,850	23,570	21,680
5	22,030	27,550	25,340
6	25,210	31,530	29,000
7	28,390	35,510	32,660
8	31,570	39,490	36,320
For each additional family member, add
	3,180	3,980	3,660
69 Fed. Reg. 7335–38 (Feb. 13, 2004).