421-8        ALIEN SPONSOR DEEMING PERIOD

The alien sponsor deeming period begins with the month that the alien is admitted into the U.S. for permanent residence or is granted permanent resident status, and lasts for three years.

Whenever a permanent resident alien applies for APA Adult Public Assistance benefits, determine the date the individual's permanent resident alien status began.  If the alien is still within the alien sponsor deeming period, the income and resources of the alien's sponsor are considered available to meet the needs of the alien.

Note:  The alien sponsor deeming provisions changed effective October 1, 1996.  In addition, the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services ( USCIS U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ) is now using new, legally binding affidavits of support for sponsored aliens.  Please contact Central Office policy staff for guidance on processing APA Adult Public Assistance applications for sponsored aliens who applied before October 1, 1996, or sponsored aliens who are admitted under the new USCIS U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services affidavit of support.