I just got my green card through Adjustment of Status with a joint sponsor. My wife and I just had a baby and are looking into low-income housing. Does low-income housing count as a means-tested public benefit under the Form I-864 Affidavit of Support, and could it cause reimbursement issues for my joint sponsor?
Federal low-income housing does not count as a federal means-tested public benefit, so using it will not cause reimbursement issues for your joint sponsor. This would only change if you apply for a state-funded program that your specific state has designated as a state means-tested public benefit.
You can safely apply for federal housing programs or apply for benefits directly in your newborn's name, because the government does not count these actions against your sponsor.
The federal government defines federal means-tested public benefits as exactly five programs: food stamps, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and the State Child Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Federal housing programs are not on this list.
Sponsors are only legally responsible for reimbursing the government for means-tested public benefits received by the sponsored immigrant. Because federal housing is not one of these benefits, your joint sponsor will not face reimbursement issues if you use it.
If you apply for benefits solely on behalf of your U.S. citizen child, the government does not count that as you receiving the benefit. Furthermore, sponsor liability only applies to benefits received by the sponsored immigrant, not their U.S. citizen child.
