Understanding 2025 HHS Poverty Guidelines for I864 Affidavit of Support

The federal government’s 2025 update to the HHS Poverty Guidelines is now in force for all new Affidavit of Support filings, affecting thousands of family and some employment-based green card cases across the United States. Effective March 1, 2025, sponsors submitting Form I-864 must show income at or above 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for their household size, or 100% if the sponsor is an active-duty military member petitioning for a spouse or child. USCIS and the Department of State will use these income thresholds to decide whether a sponsor can take legal financial responsibility for an intending immigrant.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the most common stumbling blocks this year remain the same: correctly counting household size, proving current income with clear evidence, and knowing when assets or a joint sponsor are needed. Immigration lawyers also warn that timing matters: the agency will apply the guidelines in effect when you file the Form I-864, not when you started the petition or scheduled the interview.

What the 2025 figures mean in practice

The 2025 figures draw sharp attention because relatively small dollar differences can trigger delays or denials.

• A sponsor in the contiguous U.S. with a two-person household (sponsor plus one immigrant) must show at least $26,437 per year.
• A four-person household must show about $40,187 per year in the contiguous states.
• Location adjustments apply:
  • Alaska (four-person, 125% level): $50,237
  • Hawaii (four-person, 125% level): $46,225
  • Contiguous U.S. (four-person, 125% level): $40,187
• For active-duty military sponsors filing for a spouse or child, the requirement is 100% of the poverty line (about $32,150 for a family of four in the contiguous U.S.).

Policy changes overview

The 2025 HHS Poverty Guidelines reflect modest increases tied to inflation and cost of living. While not dramatic, these adjustments can change outcomes for sponsors who sit near the margins.

• Under Section 213A of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), the Affidavit of Support is a legally binding contract.
• By signing Form I-864, a sponsor promises to maintain the immigrant at an income level not less than 125% of the poverty line until one of these end points:
  • The immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen;
  • The immigrant earns 40 qualifying quarters of work (about 10 years);
  • The immigrant permanently leaves the United States; or
  • The immigrant dies.
• Important: Divorce does not end the obligation.

Scope and exceptions:
– Form I-864 is required for most family-based cases, including immediate relatives (spouses, parents, unmarried children under 21) and family preference categories.
– It is required for certain employment-based immigrants when a family member owns at least 5% of the petitioning company.
– Not required for refugees, asylees, VAWA self-petitioners, or immigrants who already have 40 qualifying quarters of work.

Timing rule reminder:
– The guidelines in effect at the time of filing the Form I-864 apply. A sponsor who started a case in late 2024 but submits the Affidavit after March 1, 2025 must meet the 2025 levels.
– HHS posts the poverty figures each year; USCIS and the State Department then apply the 125% (or 100% for certain military sponsors) thresholds for Affidavit of Support review. For reference, the current HHS numbers appear here: HHS Poverty Guidelines.

Impact on applicants

Household size is the starting point for the math. Count the sponsor, the intending immigrant(s), any dependents on the sponsor’s tax return, and anyone else the sponsor will support under another Affidavit of Support. Miscounting results in incorrect income targets and avoidable requests for evidence.

Key location point:
– The contiguous U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii have different levels because of higher living costs in the non-contiguous states.

If the sponsor’s current income falls short, options include:

• Joint sponsor
  • Files a separate Form I-864 and must independently meet the full income requirement for the same household size.
• Household member contribution
  • A qualified household member may add income by filing Form I-864A (a contract between the sponsor and the household member).
• Assets
  • Assets can cover the gap. For a U.S. citizen sponsor, multiply the income shortfall by 3 to find the needed asset value; for a lawful permanent resident sponsor, multiply by 5.
  • Assets must be readily convertible to cash within one year and convertible without serious loss.

Important limitation:
– Sponsors living outside the United States generally cannot count most foreign income or foreign assets unless they show the income will continue from a U.S. source and assets can be converted and moved to the U.S. This often trips up sponsors who plan to return only for the immigration process.

Human effects and examples:
– A U.S. citizen sponsoring a parent may have steady wages but still fall a few thousand dollars short due to a higher household count.
– Joint sponsors (often a sibling or close friend) can be used to meet the requirement.
– Military families stationed in Alaska may qualify under the 100% rule for a spouse or child, while civilian families of the same size must meet the 125% bar.

Procedures and documentation

Start with records. Sponsors should gather:

• Most recent federal tax return
• W-2s or 1099s
• Pay stubs
• Employment letter or proof of ongoing income
• Bank statements and proof of assets (if income alone does not meet the requirement)

Where possible, show a clear picture of current earnings, not just last year’s taxes.

Key steps to follow:
1. Confirm household size and location-based threshold.
2. Check the 2025 HHS Poverty Guidelines effective March 1, 2025.
3. Gather evidence of income and, if needed, assets.
4. Complete and sign Form I-864 carefully.
5. Submit the form when the National Visa Center asks for it in consular cases, or include it with Form I-485 for adjustment of status.
6. Add a joint sponsor or household member contract if necessary.
7. Keep copies and be ready to respond if the agency asks for more proof.

Filing tips:
– For consular processing, sponsors usually upload the signed Affidavit and financial documents to the State Department’s CEAC portal.
– For adjustment of status inside the U.S., include the Affidavit with the adjustment packet.
– The form is here: Form I-864, Affidavit of Support.
– Adjustment applicants file alongside Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.

Sponsor eligibility and domicile:
– A sponsor must be at least 18, be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, and be domiciled in the United States.
– Domicile means the U.S. is your principal home. If you’ve been abroad, you’ll need to show steps that reestablish domicile (e.g., a U.S. job offer, a lease, or moving funds) before the immigrant is issued a visa or a green card.

Attorney guidance:
– Attorneys stress carefully completing all income and asset fields on Form I-864 — errors can cause weeks or months of delay.
– The joint sponsor must provide full proof of income and legal status and must meet the threshold alone.
– By signing the Affidavit, both the main sponsor and any joint sponsor accept the same legal duties.

Enforcement and long-term obligations

Enforcement is real, even if not common.

• If the immigrant later receives certain means-tested public benefits, a government agency can seek repayment from the sponsor.
• The immigrant may also seek support in court if the sponsor fails to maintain the 125% level.
• Because the Affidavit is a contract, many law firms advise sponsors to keep financial records and be ready to show continued ability to support if asked.

Practical advice and final thoughts

This year’s update does not change who must file, but it highlights planning gaps. Practical points:

• Sponsors with seasonal income should watch year-to-date totals and supplement with assets or a joint sponsor early.
• Sponsors with new jobs should include an employment letter stating salary, start date, and permanence, along with recent pay stubs.
• Self-employed sponsors should include full federal returns with schedules to avoid requests for more evidence.

Policy watchers say larger reforms to the Affidavit of Support framework are possible, but no major regulatory changes had been announced as of September 2025. Annual adjustments to the HHS levels will continue, and both agencies will keep applying the 125% and 100% rules set by law and policy.

For now, the focus for families is practical: calculate your threshold correctly, collect clear proof, and file the Form I-864 that matches your case path, whether consular or adjustment. For official instructions and the latest forms, visit the USCIS Affidavit of Support page linked above and review the current HHS figures posted each year. Sponsors with complex cases—such as those counting assets, adding a joint sponsor, or working abroad—often consult counsel to avoid errors that can stretch cases for months.

In a year of steady but tighter budgets, even small shortfalls can matter. Careful preparation can make the difference between a smooth approval and a stall at the last mile.