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For Yucaipa residents sponsoring family members for immigration, understanding the 2026 poverty guidelines is essential. The I-864 Affidavit of Support requires sponsors to show income at 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. SoCal Immigration Services helps families meet these requirements.

Reviewed for accuracy by

Maria Santos

DOJ Accredited Representative • 15+ years experience

What is the I-864 Affidavit of Support?

The I-864 is a legally binding contract between you and the U.S. government promising to financially support the immigrant you're sponsoring.

Key Points:
• Required for most family-based green card applications
• Creates a 10-year obligation (or until the immigrant becomes a citizen)
• Sponsor must show income at 125% of poverty guidelines
• Can use assets if income is insufficient
• Joint sponsors can help if you don't qualify alone

2026 Poverty Guidelines for I-864

Here are the 2026 income requirements at 125% of poverty (48 contiguous states):

Household Size	100% Poverty	125% Required (I-864)	Example Situations
2	$20,440	$25,550	Sponsor + spouse immigrant
3	$25,820	$32,275	Sponsor + spouse + 1 child
4	$31,200	$39,000	Sponsor + spouse + 2 children
5	$36,580	$45,725	Family of 4 + 1 immigrant parent
6	$41,960	$52,450	Larger families
7	$47,340	$59,175	Extended families
8	$52,720	$65,900	Each additional +$5,380

How to Calculate Your Household Size

Your household size includes several categories of people:

1. Always Count:
• Yourself (the sponsor)
• Your spouse (even if they don't live with you)
• Your dependent children under 21
• Any other dependents on your tax return

2. Also Count:
• The immigrant you're sponsoring
• Any family members coming with that immigrant (derivatives)
• Anyone else you've sponsored who hasn't naturalized or completed 40 work quarters

Example: If you're married with 2 kids and sponsoring your mother, household size = 5 (you + spouse + 2 kids + mother)

Income That Counts for I-864

What income can you include on your Affidavit of Support?

•Wages and salary (from jobs, shown on W-2)
•Self-employment income (from Schedule C or K-1)
•Social Security benefits
•Retirement income (pensions, 401k distributions)
•Alimony and child support you receive
•Rental income (net, after expenses)
•Investment income (dividends, interest)
•The immigrant's income IF they will continue the same job

Documentation for Income

You'll need to provide evidence of your income:

Required Documents:
• Most recent federal tax return (with all schedules)
• W-2s or 1099s from the tax year
• Proof of current employment (letter from employer)
• Pay stubs from the last 6 months
• If self-employed: business license, contracts, recent invoices

Optional but Helpful:
• Bank statements showing regular deposits
• Evidence of other income sources
• Tax returns from previous 3 years (especially if current income is low)

Using Assets Instead of Income

If your income doesn't meet the 125% threshold, you can use assets:

Asset Multiplier:
• Sponsors: Assets must equal 3x the difference between your income and the requirement
• Sponsoring a spouse or child: Assets must equal 3x the difference
• Other relationships: Assets must equal 5x the difference

Example:
• Required income: $32,275
• Your income: $28,000
• Shortfall: $4,275
• Assets needed (spouse): $4,275 × 3 = $12,825

Qualifying Assets:
• Cash in savings/checking accounts
• Stocks, bonds, certificates of deposit
• Real estate equity (minus mortgage)
• 401k/IRA balances (retirement accounts)

Joint Sponsors: When You Need Help

If you can't meet the income requirements alone, a joint sponsor can help:

Joint Sponsor Requirements:
• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Must be 18 years or older
• Must live in the United States
• Must meet the income requirement for their own household PLUS the immigrant

Joint Sponsor Responsibility:
• Equally responsible for supporting the immigrant
• Their obligation lasts until the immigrant becomes a citizen or meets work requirement
• Can be anyone - doesn't need to be family

Alternatively, household members earning income can help by filing Form I-864A.

Common I-864 Mistakes

Avoid these errors that delay or deny cases:

• Wrong tax year: Always use the most recent tax return
• Unsigned forms: All signatures must be original and in wet ink
• Missing documents: Include all W-2s, all pages of tax return
• Wrong household size: Don't forget previous immigrants you sponsored
• Expired documents: Employment letters should be recent (within 3-6 months)
• Income from wrong person: Only the sponsor's income counts (unless using I-864A)

What Happens After You Submit I-864?

The Affidavit of Support creates ongoing obligations:

Your Responsibilities:
• Support the immigrant at 125% of poverty level
• Obligation continues 10 years or until immigrant naturalizes
• Government can sue you for reimbursement of public benefits
• Immigrant can sue for support if you fail to provide

When the Obligation Ends:
• Immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen
• Immigrant works 40 qualifying quarters (roughly 10 years)
• Immigrant dies
• Immigrant permanently leaves the U.S.
• Sponsor dies (but estate may still be liable)

Special Situations

Some cases have different rules:

Active Duty Military:
• Only need to meet 100% of poverty (not 125%)
• Applies to sponsors on active duty in U.S. Armed Forces

Widow(er)s of U.S. Citizens:
• May not need I-864 in some cases

Certain VAWA Self-Petitioners:
• May be exempt from Affidavit of Support requirement

Diversity Visa Winners:
• Still need I-864 or proof of employment/assets

Yucaipa I-864 Preparation Services

SoCal Immigration Services helps Yucaipa families with:

•Calculating your household size correctly
•Determining if you meet income requirements
•Gathering proper documentation
•Finding and preparing joint sponsors
•Using assets to supplement income
•Completing I-864 and I-864A forms
•Arabic translation of income documents
•Reviewing for common errors before submission

FAQFrequently Asked Questions

Q:What is the minimum income to sponsor an immigrant in 2026?

A: For a household of 2 (you and one immigrant), you need $25,550 annual income. Each additional person adds approximately $6,700 to the requirement. These are 2026 figures at 125% of federal poverty guidelines.

Q:Can I use my spouse's income for the I-864?

A: Yes, but only if your spouse files Form I-864A agreeing to be a household member. Their income then combines with yours. If your spouse is the immigrant you're sponsoring, they can include their income if they'll continue the same job in the U.S.

Q:What if I don't make enough money to sponsor my family?

A: You have options: use assets to make up the difference, add a household member's income with Form I-864A, or find a joint sponsor who meets the requirements. Many families use joint sponsors successfully.

Q:Can my brother be a joint sponsor?

A: Yes. Any U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is 18+, lives in the U.S., and meets the income requirement can be a joint sponsor. They don't need to be related to you or the immigrant.

Q:How long am I responsible for the immigrant?

A: Your financial responsibility lasts until the immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen, earns 40 work quarters (about 10 years), permanently leaves the U.S., or dies. Divorce doesn't end the obligation for a sponsored spouse.

Q:Does USCIS actually enforce the I-864?

A: Yes. The government can seek reimbursement for public benefits paid to the immigrant. Additionally, the immigrant themselves can sue the sponsor for support. Courts have enforced these obligations.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about immigration services in Yucaipa and does not constitute legal advice. SoCal Immigration Services is a document preparation company, not a law firm. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a licensed immigration attorney.

Published: January 19, 2026Last Updated: January 19, 2026

Need Help with I-864 in Yucaipa?

Don't let income requirements delay your family's immigration. Our team helps you calculate household size, gather documents, and find solutions if you don't meet requirements alone.

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I-864 Poverty Guidelines 2026 in Yucaipa: Income Requirements for Immigration Sponsorship