CalFresh Document - Sponsor's Information

Attention: This form is required if you are a sponsored non-citizen

About SAR-22

SAR-22, or "Sponsored Noncitizens Applying for or Receiving Cash Aid and/or CalFresh", is an additional form required for Noncitizen applicants to apply for CalFresh. This form asks about your sponsor's information and is used to determine your income and eligibility.

Instructions:

The SAR-22 form is for your sponsor to fill out. CalFresh Applicants should only fill out their name below instructions. Question 1-14 needed to be answered by the sponsor of the CalFresh Applicant. A signature is required from both the sponsor and CalFresh Applicants.

Access SAR-22 Form

 

Why do I need this form?

The county workers review the Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) Permanent Resident Card (aka I-551 or Green Card) to determine which category code they fall under. If the category code indicates the LPR has a sponsor, the county is required to obtain information about the sponsor. This is because the sponsor completed an agreement called an “Affidavit of Support” prior to the LPR's arrival, which informs the US government their financial support to the LPR.

For a LPR to obtaining CalFresh, this just adds another step to the process. If the LPR has been in the US less than a 10 years, the county worker are required to obtain information about the sponsor, including financial information, in order to add them to the CalFresh case and determine if the LPR is still eligible for benefits.

If the LPR do not wish to provide the sponsors information, they can claim “indigence”, this means the county will no longer need the sponsors information, and the LPR can apply on their own. But the county are required to submit an indigence form to USCIS explaining that the Legal Permanent Resident is claiming indigence.

Check out more information on the CalFresh Guide website.

(For information only, Aggie Compass does not encourage or discourage LPRs to claim indigence, Aggie Compass is not responsible for any consequences related to claiming indigence)

 

How will this impact my income?

Not all of the income and resources of the sponsor and the sponsor’s spouse are “deemed” to a sponsored LPR. The first $1,500 of the countable resources of the sponsor and the sponsor’s spouse are not deemed to the sponsored LPR. When a household is categorically eligible, resources of the sponsor shall not be “deemed.”

Before deeming the sponsor’s and sponsor’s spouses income, the CalFresh office must make certain deductions:

  • First, the CalFresh office must deduct 20% of the earned income of the sponsor or the sponsor’s spouse.
  • Second, the CalFresh office must deduct an amount equal to 130% of the federal poverty level (which is the same as the CalFresh gross income limit) for the sponsor’s family, including all family members who could be claimed as dependents on the sponsor’s federal income tax forms.
  • Finally, if the CalFresh applicant can show that his or her sponsor is sponsoring other LPRs, the CalFresh office must divide the sponsor’s income and resources by the number of LPRs sponsored and deem only a pro-rata share to each sponsored LPR.

No income or resources shall be deemed when the sponsor is residing within a CalFresh recipient household.

Example: Mr. Jones sponsored Mr. Smith; Mr. Smith is applying for CalFresh benefits. Mr. Jones’ household has two members. Mr. Jones earns $5,000 per month. The amount that is deemed available to Mr. Smith is $162. Here’s how it breaks out:

$5,000 (Mr. Jones’ gross earned income)
-  $1,000 (20% of Mr. Jones’ gross earned income of $4,000)
= $4,000
-  $3,288 (130% of federal poverty guideline for a family of 2, based on the 2024 guidelines)
= $712 – the income deemed to Mr. Smith.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do I have to submit SAR-22 if I'm a sponsored immigrant?
  • Yes, this form is required if your permanent resident required a sponsor. Most immigrants do have a sponsor. 
    Some common type of immigrant that does not have a sponsor are refugees, asylees, parolees, persons granted withholding of deportation, and certain battered spouses and children. 
  • If my sponsor makes a lot of money, does that mean I'm not eligible for CalFresh?
  • It’s possible for the applicant to be denied benefits due to their sponsors' earning.
  • Do I have to include SAR-22 if I don't live with my sponsor?
  • Yes, sponsor's income will be counted even if you do not live with them.
  • If me and my sponsor live together, do I still need this form?
  • If you and your sponsor reside together, you do not need this form.
    However if your sponsor is applying CalFresh with you, then the sponsor is required to report the income directly to the County.
  • Should I claim "indigence" to get my CalFresh?
  • The county are required to submit an indigence form to USCIS explaining that the Legal Permanent Resident is claiming indigence, there could be legal consequences attached when claiming "indigence". 
    Aggie Compass does not encourage or discourage LPRs to claim indigence. Aggie Compass is not responsible for any consequences related to claiming indigence.