What is Federal Poverty Guidelines?

The Department of Health and Human Services publishes a list every year giving the lowest income acceptable for a family of a particular size so that the family does not live in poverty. Consular officers use these figures in immigrant visa cases to determine whether a sponsor’s income is sufficient to support a new immigrant. For sponsors using the Form I-864 Affidavit of Support the income must be above 125 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. For sponsors using the Form I-134, Affidavit of Support the income generally should be at or above 100 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.