The US Department of Health and Human Services has released poverty guidelines for 2003. The guidelines are important because they serve as the basis for determining if an intending immigrant will become a public charge. In most cases, the immigrant's sponsor must be able to demonstrate that their incomes exceeds the poverty guidelines for their household size by 25%.  The guidelines for this year are as follows:

2003 Poverty Guidelines for the 48 Contiguous States and the District of Columbia

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                                                                   Poverty

                    Size of family unit                       guideline

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1..........................................................       $8,980

2..........................................................       12,120

3..........................................................       15,260

4..........................................................       18,400

5..........................................................       21,540

6..........................................................       24,680

7..........................................................       27,820

8..........................................................       30,960

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For family units with more than 8 members, add $3,140 for each

additional member. (The same increment applies to smaller family sizes

also, as can be seen in the figures above.)

                   2003 Poverty Guidelines for Alaska

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                                                                  Poverty

                    Size of family unit                       guideline

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1..........................................................      $11,210

2..........................................................       15,140

3..........................................................       19,070

4..........................................................       23,000

5..........................................................       26,930

6..........................................................       30,860

7..........................................................       34,790

8..........................................................       38,720

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For family units with more than 8 members, add $3,930 for each

additional member. (The same increment applies to smaller family sizes

also, as can be seen in the figures above.)

                   2003 Poverty Guidelines for Hawaii

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                                                                   Poverty

                    Size of family unit                       guideline

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1..........................................................      $10,330

2..........................................................       13,940

3..........................................................       17,550

4..........................................................       21,160

5..........................................................       24,770

6..........................................................       28,380

7..........................................................       31,990

8..........................................................       35,600

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For family units with more than 8 members, add $3,610 for each

additional member. (The same increment applies to smaller family sizes

also, as can be seen in the figures above.)