Question from Connecticut Department of Social Services

Connecticut is trying to refine our policy on deeming from sponsors of aliens and we are currently struggling with the indigency provision of PRWORA. Simply stated it says that we only deem the amount actually paid by the sponsor if we determine that the alien is indigent. In determining indigency, we count actual income given to alien and any in-kind income received by the alien. We cannot count deemed income that the alien does not actually receive. Food Stamp guidance defines indigency as cash or in-kind income that does not exceed 130% of the FPL. If a family is determined to be indigent we do not deem but we notify the US Attorney General with the name of the alien and the sponsor. We would like to know how other states handle this provision. Specifically - In determining indigency how do you determine the value of in-kind food and shelter? some of the options that we are considering are assigning a set value; allowing the alien to self declare; or prorate the value of the food and shelter costs of the household. Some immigrants may not want us to report them to the USAG. It appears that we can allow the immigrant to ask us not to do this but deem income from the sponsor instead. Do you do this? How? Do you have any material that you give to the immigrant regarding deeming, indigency or recovering from the sponsor? If yes can you provide an electronic copy?