Dear frens,

One of my  relative from Nepal got DV2008, and are coming to stay with me in California until they get settled,  starting from next week.They are 4 members, couple with two children and I am not sure if they will be able to get the job immediately. I did lots of googling but still not sure if I know all of the procedures, so I am trying to seek help from you guys. Specially those guys who have won DV, can you please tell me what I can do to make the procedure hassel free ?

What are the things I need to do to make sure they get settled in time ?

So, how to get medical insurance for them ?

I am sure they'll have to struggle at the begining so, is it possible to include them into food stamp, that might help them ?

Are there any other benifits like unemployent etc. they can get from federal side  if they don't get job on time?

Thanks so much !

Sampada

 

Sampada ji,

First of all, your relatives should apply for the Social Security Card which won't take too long (usually withing a month!). Once they have SSCard in hand, their children be enrolled in a nearby school and the parents should search for job.  Local classified is a good source of information. A brief CV and English proficiency is  important tools in job hunting. They should be prepared  to take any job that come first and stay with that until they find better one.

If they live in the area where public transportation is not reliable, I strongly suggest them to learn driving as soon as possible because driving skill makes a big difference in day to day life as well as in job search.  You are right; they will have to struggle a lot in the beginning; particular in the first year. Like loratadine ji pointed out above, it takes time to get settled and they will be alright !

Sorry, I forgot to mention about medical insurance and food stamp.

Medical insurance is normally very expensive and  they should not be worried too much about it at this stage. Rather they should try to find a job in a big company where there is medical insurance is available; i.e. Wal-Mart or fast food chains. Try to avoid jobs at gas stations as it is highly dangerous.

I don't think it is a good idea to apply for a food stamps as it may put the sponsor in a difficult position and even if applied, most likely they will be denied because sponsoring means taking responsibility for supporting them, usually for 3 yrs.

They will get their social security number no later than a week. They will also qualify for Medi-Cal benefit which is free medical benefit provided by State of California for the low income people. If they need any medical attention in between the process, call 211. You'll get so much informations from there. Tell me which area you are located. I will find a nearest location where you can go and apply for Medi-Cal for your friends.

As long as a person is permanent residence,he or she is eligible for food stamp and Medicaid. This type of program is only offered for people with low income ,so they should qualify for it.
 I have seen one family who came over here after winning DV lottery and were eligible for medicaid and food stamp. I don't think it will be problem. One thing they need to do is apply for social security card immediately.

Eligibility and Issuance Requirements for food stamp(california)

http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/foodstamps/PG841.htm#citizen

Thanks Guys,

I am hoping something, really good will happen and praying for them.Thanks to everyone for your wounderful suggestion.

Sampada

BTW Loratidine

do you work in the pharma industry?

हात्तीको खाने दात र देखाउने दात फरक हुन्छ। नेपाल बाट कल्पना गरेको अमेरिका र यहाँ आएर भोग्ने अमेरिका मा धेरै अन्तर छ। भाषाको कठिनाई हावाइजहाज चडे देखी सुरु हुन्छ, तपाईंको इस्तमित्र को बारेमा त तपाईं लाई नै थाहाहोला .
अलबामामा काम गर्न आउने हरुले १५-१६ लाख नेपाली रुपैया तिरेर आएको कुरा एही धागो मा पढन पाइयो। यदी वहाँ हरुको मस्तिस्कमा अमेरिका पुग्ना साथ जादुको छडि झै सबै कुरा भाई हाल्छ भन्ने मनस्थिती छ भने , counsoling को जरुरी पनि होला। किन्की नेपालमा घर जगा बेचेर फर्कनुनै पर्दैन भनी आउने हरुलाई अलिक गाह्रो पर्न सक्छ।
नेपालमा कुर्सिमा बसेर गर्ने काम मात्रै काम अरु चाँही ज्यालादारी काम ठान्ने हो भने २-४ महिना हैन ५-६ महिना लाग्ला काम सुरु गर्न । मेरा छिमेकी पनि अमेरिका पुगे, अफिसरको जागिर खाएका त्यो पनि शाही सेनामा। तर आर्का छिमेकी मित्रले Tyson भन्ने तार बनाउने factory मा साझको ७-१ बजे राती ३ हफ्ता काम गरे पछी चाँही ग्यास station मा सुरु गरी बल बच्चा रक्षा गरे थिए रे नत्र त म त्यस्तो काम गर्ने हुँ भनी २-३ महिना नेपाल बाट लगेको डलर मा बसेका थिए रे .
जे पनि काम गर्न तयार छु भन्ने भए सबै कुर ठीक हुन्छ रे ? 

jesus christ, people have green cards and they worry. they'll be settled in about a month. just get them the social as soon as possible and actually, start already talking to Nepalis working in gasstations and restaurants. cut the crap . they wont find any decent jobs right off. if they don't have money to sit on their aaaa for a while put them in duty of some indian or paki till they get their papers. once they have their papers , take em to temp agencies to work in some factory. if you really want to go far and help them, teach them driving ( if they don't know) and stay on a co-sign and buy a car, that really helps. thats all you can do. you have to let them live and learn on their own after that. or they'll be leeching on ya. and ya,  you are a good girl sampu.


 

Synjali,

I guess you are being too much pessimistic. Things won't be that strange for them as, their parents had been in U.S  for about a year and even the guy was here for training but may be a long time back. May be  the future is uncertain in New place and world, but it's not as bad as you think.Working in gas station is not bad as long as thats not permanent or even if parmanent its better to work and earn rather than to steal or do illegal things. I have seen many students working in gas station during their study and have done very well after finishing their studies, I would say they are at least they are not asking money from parents to support them.

I totally agree with you that certainly things will not be bumpy for few months, but I am hopeful as both of the couple are highly educated and have a very good english. Infact, the guy is english professor, news editor in one of the top newspaper and works as a translator in an NGO. Next thing they are not selling anything land/house to be here, so will always have the option to go back if things doesn't work as planned. I have no doubt they'll be able to get a good job, but only the thing is when/how long do we have to wait ..... I just wanted them to get prepared for the worst and I have already told them frankly without hiding anything and there a reason as they have 2 kids.

But, I should say  I am hopeful. Anyways, thats so much for the  everyones suggestion.

Sampada

I am just giving a scenario, I am not discouraging any one but it makes way difference the perception they come with.  I am not saying to work in gas station is bad, America is the place where work is worshiped and had dignity as President Bush in white house. Your work will be as per your capability. In the beginning it may be just a survival and in a learning process.

You know only job that comes with a chair and table are job rest are jayaladari, a laborer job. We are distinguished by our job and its nature; therefore many people are staying home idle instead of grabbing a job or profession according to their merit.

 

I guess the problem seem more psychological for most DV winners. After winning the lottery they start dreaming real big and think that they will achieve it without much of work (typical Nepali of course). One of friend who came after winning the lottery dreamt of buying BMW convertibles right after landing on US airport, they were like so airy and all that.

 I guess they need to understand that American life is difficult even for Americans and this is a land of hard work! then things would be fine.

Please do not suggest the new immigrants to roll into medicaid or foodstamps as soon as they land here.That will create problem for them when they apply for citizenship.It will also create problem for the sponser (if they have).

REad the following.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/M-618.pdf

these days sponsership is not required.  having good english is great, but i wonder if that can fetch one a good paying job.  technical education or somekind of skill would be a plus.  he seems to have very nice and good paying job in nepal, i am sure he will be surprised here.  i agree with syanjali that high expectation might be very depressing.  if he and his wife are ready to work in whatever job available for them, they wont have problem settling here.  life in usa is not easy. gas station job are good to start with, but i dont think people make career out of it.  why gas station by the way, why not some stores like kohls, target, or any other manufacturing company which will pay you better salary as well as have some benefits.  since he is a permanent resident, he should nt be seeking jobs only in gas stations/restaurants run by south asians.  he needs to think beyond that.  please advise accordingly. 

Tisa, i don't think it will create problem while applying citizenship, even the documents you provided has refered to food stamp. As this family has two children, no matter when they enter USA it doesn't matter, the kids will get approve for food stamp and medicaid but the parents won't.

Sampada

People think just cause they got GreenCard.. they will be rich in this country.. I have seen illegals in BMW's going to work sitting on a chair all day...  Seen GC holders walking behind a Dhoti like he is a supreme being saying "haji haji"...

I think in america specially in California if they knew spanish they would find a job.. nobody cares if you speak english or not...

They got GreenCard and you want to start them in FoodStamps... Where do you work Sampada??? when you filled out that employment form there is a line that says "Have you or a member of your family ever taken assistance from the state or the government?? Have you ever being convicted of a felony???""" ---->  questions like this.

Do you know why they ask??? they wanna know if you are a survivor or a quitter who goes on begging for FoodStamps... imho getting food stamps won't land you a good job.. as soon as you are on government assistance.. your value goes down....and if you have taken assistance I think they will tax you more too...

Syanjhali wasn't trying to discourage your relatives. he was just reminding you to tell your kins' not to dream big, if they can keep themselves rooted to ground they will be fine otherwise, you will be their biggest enemy.

"Sampada is jealous cause we got greencard and she doesn't have it, that is why she doesn't want us to work there, or she doesn't want us to do this and that"... stay real and tell them as it is.. be an american for a minute and tell them what to expect and what not to except." ( I am not saying you don't have greencard, it is just an example)

I remember when I came to usa back in the day... before bill gates became famous and internet was king... I had decided to clean toilets if I had to succed in this country. I had never worked in my life, didn't know nothing about work, fresh out of highschool, but I was determined to make it big here and I tried everyday and no job was too big or small.. a job is a job, if you can't see it that way, it is easy to get diverted to other things and have a falling out with your job, which leads to loss of that job.

just my 2cents
(and ask them if they know how to drive??? if not, tell them to learn before they get here)

ss74 are you a lawyer??? who said foodstamps wont' matter when applying for citenzhip???? they might just take your greencard and ask you move ur begging arse back to where ever the hell you came from.. they didn't give u greencard so you could mooch on the governemnet, they gave you GC thinking you will be valuable workforce to this country...

just cause they got kids they will qualify for foodstamps??? what state do you live in?? go and try to get foodstamp.. and see what paperwork you need??? you can't be coming fresh off the boat and applying for foodstamp.. even if they got it somehow.. if someone calls and complain's there will be a mucho problema.. stay away from that crap..... it is a downhill spiral towards your credibility...

 

later

I guess people in Nepal are more pessimistic about American life, then what it really is out here. May be there were times when things were just the just opposite, it's based on my experience, it may be differnet in your case.

The thing is, since they have 2 children, I was just preparing for the worst, not that I wanted to lead them there as soon as they arrive. They are infact very good people so I am pretty confidient, I'll never have any problem. As I said I am very hopeful. By the way, I am full time student, I don't work so didn't had to go through any of those stuffs.

The guy knows driving pretty well, so he may need to get refreshed, inorder to adopt with new rules and speed out here.

I guess having plan B ready is always better, than just relying on one plan. So, just trying to have it on my head, for me there is no place better that sajha !

Thanks everyone.

Sampada

 

Chor i am not a lawyer, sampada inquired about food stamp and i checked the california web site for food stamp. It says one can apply food stamp after living five years in USA but this doesn't apply for kids. It says kids are eligible for food stamps regardless for the date of entry. Even the web site given  at USCIS has referred to food stamp as government assistance. It's not me just saying what ever i want but its written over there. I just don't think it will be bad idea for the beginners like this family, but i don't think it is good idea to live in the food stamp forever. Once a person is stable and has good income one won't be eligible for food stamps. I was just talking for temporary. When there are lots of non residence who used WIC plan and emergency medicaid while having baby, what's wrong with people with permanent residence using  this type of government assistance for a while until and unless things gets settled.
My point is as long as one follow rules and regulations set up by USA government why should it be difficult while applying for citizenship. 

http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/foodstamps/PG841.htm#citizen

Citizenship/Immigration Status

Certain non-citizens such as those admitted for humanitarian reasons and those admitted for permanent residence are eligible for food stamps. Eligible household members can get food stamp benefits even if other members of the household are not eligible. Food stamp eligibility is available to most legal immigrants who:

• Have lived in the country for five (5) years, or
• Are receiving disability-related assistance or benefits, regardless of entry date, or
• Are children under 18 years of age regardless of entry date.

Non-citizens who are in the U.S. temporarily, such as students, are not eligible. A number of States have their own programs to provide benefits to immigrants who do not meet the regular Food Stamp Program eligibility requirements. California's program is the California Food Assistance Program.

ya even i heard that you will have problems if you file for food stamps or unemployment. but i donm't know. looks like this thread is baseless. like sampada says, they know english, they have green cards now, and they are well set even back home, and even they've been here before. so what 's the issue? i wish sampada had given these back grounds earlier in her posting so people could suggest accordingly. i think , lots of people thought they are like most dv winners who don't know english and most of the time merely been to kathmandu.

well good luck to them..