First things first
Sep 10th 2012, 6:43 pm
#16
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Re: First things first
The OP asked about registering his children for medical cover. My note informed him that he could get medical insurance for the children due to the Health Care Act of 2010.
While some people pay for their own medical bills, its not the ideal solution as we all know. Rarely can most people pay a few thousand dollars for a hospital stay, an MRI or ongoing prescriptions. Most people would like to have medical insurance to provide treatment for their families.
We all know about the ER being used by people who are not able to pay for their medical treatment. The OP is neither Hispanic, undocumented nor can speak little English so don't know why you bothered to mention it.
While some people pay for their own medical bills, its not the ideal solution as we all know. Rarely can most people pay a few thousand dollars for a hospital stay, an MRI or ongoing prescriptions. Most people would like to have medical insurance to provide treatment for their families.
We all know about the ER being used by people who are not able to pay for their medical treatment. The OP is neither Hispanic, undocumented nor can speak little English so don't know why you bothered to mention it.
"All health care in the US is linked to medical insurance of one sort or another."
So if he doesn't have health insurance and he needs treatment for himself or one of his kids, he knows that not having health insurance doesn't mean that he is cut off from healthcare. Healthcare and health insurance are two different things. Not everyone who is new to the US understands that so it's important to point out false statements. Of course, it's better to have health insurance than not.
Sep 10th 2012, 6:55 pm
#17
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Re: First things first
I am also looking at possibly doing my teaching credential down the line a little but will have to weigh up the costs of that. Was thinking of maybe applying for some classroom assistant jobs in the future to get some experience and my foot in the door.
Sep 10th 2012, 6:58 pm
#18
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Re: First things first
What benefits are you looking for? The US does not have the social safety net that the UK has.
You can get a deduction on your taxes if you have dependent children. When you file your taxes, you take a deduction for children at that time. Depending on your income level, that deduction may give you a refund on taxes. You'll get that refund at that time, and it's not spread out over the course of the year. I don't know if there is a tax wiki here, but you can use a W4 calculator to determine what number of exemptions to use that will reduce the amount of taxes you pay throughout the year (so you keep more in your pocket throughout the year), so that you may not get a refund back at the end of the year but you won't have to pay either.
As far as finding work, some counties/cities have unemployment offices. The office in my area also has a type of resource area where you can go in and use their computers to find jobs, and I think you can talk to an adviser of some type. But they are not their to find you a job really, mostly they are providing the paperwork to people who have been laid off and are trying to claim unemployment insurance benefits. Your best bet to find work is private recruiters and temp agencies and online job sites.
If you have health insurance, then you chose a Primary Care doctor (i.e. GP) from the list of doctors that accept your insurance. You don't register with them, you just call them and make an appointment whenever you are sick.
If you don't have insurance while you are looking for work, your wife and kids may qualify for coverage from Medicaid (or whatever the equivalent is called in California). As far as I'm aware, you can't qualify for this because you are a new immigrant..but CA can set some of their own rules, so you need to confirm whether this is true or not. Be aware though, that using Medicaid is considered using means-tested benefits (I think) and therefore the Federal gov't can go after your wife and MIL to pay back that money.
What other questions do you have?
You can get a deduction on your taxes if you have dependent children. When you file your taxes, you take a deduction for children at that time. Depending on your income level, that deduction may give you a refund on taxes. You'll get that refund at that time, and it's not spread out over the course of the year. I don't know if there is a tax wiki here, but you can use a W4 calculator to determine what number of exemptions to use that will reduce the amount of taxes you pay throughout the year (so you keep more in your pocket throughout the year), so that you may not get a refund back at the end of the year but you won't have to pay either.
As far as finding work, some counties/cities have unemployment offices. The office in my area also has a type of resource area where you can go in and use their computers to find jobs, and I think you can talk to an adviser of some type. But they are not their to find you a job really, mostly they are providing the paperwork to people who have been laid off and are trying to claim unemployment insurance benefits. Your best bet to find work is private recruiters and temp agencies and online job sites.
If you have health insurance, then you chose a Primary Care doctor (i.e. GP) from the list of doctors that accept your insurance. You don't register with them, you just call them and make an appointment whenever you are sick.
If you don't have insurance while you are looking for work, your wife and kids may qualify for coverage from Medicaid (or whatever the equivalent is called in California). As far as I'm aware, you can't qualify for this because you are a new immigrant..but CA can set some of their own rules, so you need to confirm whether this is true or not. Be aware though, that using Medicaid is considered using means-tested benefits (I think) and therefore the Federal gov't can go after your wife and MIL to pay back that money.
What other questions do you have?
Cheers for the other advice
Sep 10th 2012, 10:10 pm
#19
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Re: First things first
Entitled? That's a slur over here: someone thinks they are entitled/a sense of entitlement?Americans view benefits/entitlements as synonyms for hand-outs. Although they are somewhat hypocritical in this regard. Anyway, welcome. Well, welcome shortly, I guess.
Sep 10th 2012, 11:17 pm
#20
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Re: First things first
Start here for Healthy Families California (low cost health insurance):
http://www.co.fresno.ca.us/departmentpage.aspx?ID=6160
Because you and your wife won't have jobs to begin with, your children may be eligible for this insurance program available through the State of California. The program is income based. I don't know much about it, but it's worth checking out.
Go here for the CalFresh program (Food Stamps):
http://www.co.fresno.ca.us/DepartmentPage.aspx?id=13797
Information on CalWORKS (Welfare):
http://www.co.fresno.ca.us/DepartmentPage.aspx?id=6146
I tried looking up information for the W.I.C. (Women Infant Children) Program which offer food vouchers for mothers and children specifically for developing babies and toddlers (such as milk, cheese, etc.), but was unable to find anything specific about it. I'm certain that it still exists.
All these programs you may not be eligible for, however, your wife and children may be based on your past and current income. It's a starting point. If any of this does work for your family, you may want to update the forum in case this comes up for someone else. As mentioned by a previous poster, "welfare", "entitlements", "food stamps", etc. are largely looked down upon as hand-outs. But, they're available if necessary, and
if your family qualifies.
(For what it's worth, Fresno County has a large immigrant population--legal and not so legal--you may be eligible to receive some benefits, however, any public monies you receive may fall back on your sponsor(s) to eventually repay.)
Good luck.
http://www.co.fresno.ca.us/departmentpage.aspx?ID=6160
Because you and your wife won't have jobs to begin with, your children may be eligible for this insurance program available through the State of California. The program is income based. I don't know much about it, but it's worth checking out.
Go here for the CalFresh program (Food Stamps):
http://www.co.fresno.ca.us/DepartmentPage.aspx?id=13797
Information on CalWORKS (Welfare):
http://www.co.fresno.ca.us/DepartmentPage.aspx?id=6146
I tried looking up information for the W.I.C. (Women Infant Children) Program which offer food vouchers for mothers and children specifically for developing babies and toddlers (such as milk, cheese, etc.), but was unable to find anything specific about it. I'm certain that it still exists.
All these programs you may not be eligible for, however, your wife and children may be based on your past and current income. It's a starting point. If any of this does work for your family, you may want to update the forum in case this comes up for someone else. As mentioned by a previous poster, "welfare", "entitlements", "food stamps", etc. are largely looked down upon as hand-outs. But, they're available if necessary, and
if your family qualifies.
(For what it's worth, Fresno County has a large immigrant population--legal and not so legal--you may be eligible to receive some benefits, however, any public monies you receive may fall back on your sponsor(s) to eventually repay.)
Good luck.
Sep 10th 2012, 11:57 pm
#21
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Re: First things first
Ouch. This thread seems to have gone off on a "how do I milk the system" tangent. I don't think Ryan was getting at that, although kids come first.
Things like getting a social security number, starting a credit history, USC wife registering to vote, Driver's licenses. Is that what you were after Ryan?
Things like getting a social security number, starting a credit history, USC wife registering to vote, Driver's licenses. Is that what you were after Ryan?
Sep 11th 2012, 6:57 am
#22
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Re: First things first
Ouch. This thread seems to have gone off on a "how do I milk the system" tangent. I don't think Ryan was getting at that, although kids come first.
Things like getting a social security number, starting a credit history, USC wife registering to vote, Driver's licenses. Is that what you were after Ryan?
Things like getting a social security number, starting a credit history, USC wife registering to vote, Driver's licenses. Is that what you were after Ryan?
I was just thinking of someone emigrating to the UK for the 1st time and what they would need to do eg. register at health centre, set up bank account, look into child benefit etc and then flipping it around to us moving to the US.
Sep 11th 2012, 7:41 am
#23
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Re: First things first
Before you go - and sorry if this is in your other posts:-
I note your US wife was in US through college, so, till age 18-20 ish? How long ago? Does she have UK citizenship yet? And the kids are set up for dual citizenship?
Does wife have a US bank a/c, CA Drivers license? Presumably she has a SSN.
That's all I have for now!
I note your US wife was in US through college, so, till age 18-20 ish? How long ago? Does she have UK citizenship yet? And the kids are set up for dual citizenship?
Does wife have a US bank a/c, CA Drivers license? Presumably she has a SSN.
That's all I have for now!
Sep 11th 2012, 7:48 am
#24
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Re: First things first
Before you go - and sorry if this is in your other posts:-
I note your US wife was in US through college, so, till age 18-20 ish? How long ago? Does she have UK citizenship yet? And the kids are set up for dual citizenship?
Does wife have a US bank a/c, CA Drivers license? Presumably she has a SSN.
That's all I have for now!
I note your US wife was in US through college, so, till age 18-20 ish? How long ago? Does she have UK citizenship yet? And the kids are set up for dual citizenship?
Does wife have a US bank a/c, CA Drivers license? Presumably she has a SSN.
That's all I have for now!
Sep 11th 2012, 8:06 am
#25
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Re: First things first
Get her uk citizenship at all costs. What if you split later, and the boys want to live in UK? Same for you, as soon as you can get US citizenship.
Sep 11th 2012, 8:20 am
#26
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Re: First things first
Surely they can live in the UK if they wish as they are UKC? God forbid we did split but the wife can live here as well can't she due to her ILTR?
Sep 11th 2012, 8:27 am
#27
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Re: First things first
Sep 11th 2012, 9:35 am
#28
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Re: First things first
With the recent changes that have occurred to the requirements for obtaining visas for family members to live in the UK (check out some threads in the Moving back to the UK Section), if you have the opportunity to go for UK citizenship now, as others have said it might be foolish not to do that right now and be done with it.
Sep 11th 2012, 11:33 am
#29
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Re: First things first
I have to agreee - the criteria have increased and will continue to get worse. If she can get UKC, do it now.
Sep 11th 2012, 11:45 am
#30
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Re: First things first
Okay you have all put the shits up me so I've just emailed our UK immigration lawyer friend to find out the process etc