On August 3, 2010, the Department of Health and Human Services (“DHHS”) published poverty guidelines for the remainder of 2010, and until the 2011 poverty guidelines are published, which is expected to occur in late January 2011. HHS issued the delayed update due to recent legislation that prohibited the Secretary of DHHS from publishing 2010 poverty guidelines before May 31, 2010, and required that the 2009 poverty guidelines remain in effect until the Secretary of DHHS published updated guidelines.

The DHHS poverty guidelines are relevant when calculating the minimum income requirements for family-based permanent residence cases.  In connection with such cases, sponsors are required to provide a Form I-864 affidavit of support, which confirms their ability to support the sponsored immigrant at 125% of the federal poverty guideline.  However, sponsors on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces who are petitioning for their spouse or child are only required to show the ability to support their family at an annual income equal to 100% of the federal poverty guideline.

The updated DHHS poverty guidelines appear below:

2010 POVERTY GUIDELINES FOR THE
48 CONTIGUOUS STATES AND THE
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Persons in family Poverty
guideline
1 ………………………………………… $10,830
2 ………………………………………… 14,570
3 ………………………………………… 18,310
4 ………………………………………… 22,050
5 ………………………………………… 25,790
6 ………………………………………… 29,530
7 ………………………………………… 33,270
8 ………………………………………… 37,010

For families with more than 8
persons, add $3,740 for each additional
person.

2010 POVERTY GUIDELINES FOR
ALASKA
Persons in family Poverty
guideline
1 ………………………………………… $13,530
2 ………………………………………… 18,210
3 ………………………………………… 22,890
4 ………………………………………… 27,570
5 ………………………………………… 32,250
6 ………………………………………… 36,930
7 ………………………………………… 41,610
8 ………………………………………… 46,290

For families with more than 8
persons, add $4,680 for each additional
person.

2010 POVERTY GUIDELINES FOR
HAWAII
Persons in family Poverty
guideline
1 ………………………………………… $12,460
2 ………………………………………… 16,760
3 ………………………………………… 21,060
4 ………………………………………… 25,360
5 ………………………………………… 29,660
6 ………………………………………… 33,960
7 ………………………………………… 38,260
8 ………………………………………… 42,560

For families with more than 8
persons, add $4,300 for each additional
person.