BarbaraMartin

My sister in law came to the US on a marriage visa, after 6months she separated from her husband when he was arrested (don't want to disclose all the details). She was pregnant at the time so we moved from the uk to support her (her brother, his wife(me) and three kids). Having been living with her for a year and half she has permanently taken a back seat - doesn't work or do anything to establish herself on her two feet and it's very difficult for us with two school going children to continuously support her financially. My husband feels it's our obligation to do so and keeps his head down to avoid arguments and offensive comments frm his parents. Meanwhile, he has applied for jobs out with the states now in an attempt that she would feel that she shld pull her weight and work look for childcare and start to build her own and her child's future. We have settled here now and don't particularly want to move.
My question to the forum is are there any benefits a single mom is entitled to with a one yr old child? Is there any single moms who can talk abt there experience? Surely she's not the only one ....
Thanx for any advice in advance

Michael

She should be eligible for benefits for her son but not for herself since she has been a green card holder for less than 5 years. However some states (NY and possibly others) ignore federal law and grant benefits to immigrants with less than 5 years as a green card holder. She has nothing to lose by contacting the local Social Services department and seeing if she is eligible for some benefits.

sir_eccles

I think you need to clarify on what basis all parties (both you and her) are in the US legally.

Does she have a greencard? Do you have a visa or greencard or citizenship?

dunroving

Minor details.

sir_eccles

"A legal consultation may be in order" is probably the correct response what ever the answer.

SanDiegogirl

My thoughts too. The poster says that she and family moved from the UK to support the sister in law and have been here 18 months. How?

Poster says her husband is brother of the single lady in question; and the single lady came out on a marriage visa. So does not sound as though single lady is US citizen; so presume neither is poster's husband.

SanDiegogirl

To answer the question of benefits. Yes, there are benefits for single mothers etc etc. She should apply to her local Social Security office or look on website of State she is living in for links to benefit details.

Owen778

You asked for our advice, so this is what I would do:
- Get a consultation with an attorney specialising in family law as it operates in your sister-in-law's state.
- With the attorney, work out how your she can legally return to the UK and take the child with her.
- All concerned return to the UK.

Even if you are both living and working legally in the US (which seems unlikely, from your short post), your sister-in-law has made herself entirely dependent on your husband. Moving back to the UK would give her a better support network, including her parents, would provide much better state support, and would make it much easier to reduce your family's support.

Pulaski

Gozit

+1

+1

Moving country to support a sibling who only wishes to sponge off of your income is a big step. Especially when you have children of your own. A very big step. If it were me I would have offered monetary support for the legal family law part and get her and child back to UK. By the sounds of it you (OP) never thought if the US is/was for you and your immediate family and made the decision to move by the sounds of it very quickly.

SanDiegogirl

Are we getting heated up over nothing hence Pulaski's

+2

sir_eccles

If the OP ever comes back, I'm sure we'll find out.

Pulaski

No, I think this thread has huge potential to be interesting, but everything that needs to be said at this time had already been said, hence my iconic post, indicating that I am watching with interest. I just hope the OP returns with more details.

AmerLisa

She wouldn't apply at her local social security office and if she has indeed only been here a short time, then she may not qualify for welfare. Who sponsored her green card, hubby?

And yes, how are the brother and family here legally?

Gozit

Would her PR not be invalidated by the fact she's separated so soon after immigrating? Conditions not removed or something of the sorts?