This is Teacher Jennifer from US Citizenship Podcast.
Every week, we bring you practice interviews, quizzes, resources, and the latest news that help
you get ready for your US citizenship interview.
Recently, I have received several questions about
the new N-400 Online application and fee waivers.
Question: Can I apply for citizenship online (N-400) with fee waiver (I-912) or fee reduction (I-942)?
Answer: At this time,
you cannot apply for citizenship online if you are using with fee waiver (I-912) or fee reduction (I-942) form.
If you want to apply for citizenship (N-400) with fee waiver (I-912) or fee reduction (I-942) form,
you must download these forms from USCIS.gov and mail these forms together to USCIS.
USCIS has advice about how to find low-cost legal services.
Check the show notes for links for the forms and legal services.
However, the question about fee waivers reminded me about an interview that I did last year
with Citizenship Teacher, Kathy Martin, from Beaumont Adult School.
She gave a very clear explanation about the difference between fee waivers and fee reduction.
In honor of the resolution: NEW YEAR, NEW CITIZEN,
I would like to play a short clip from that interview.
Let's get started
Tell me a little bit about fee waivers.
There is a program that was simplified under our last president, President Obama,
that there is a actual form called a FEE WAIVER (I-912)
that allows people who are either receiving a means-tested benefit
or a family that makes under a certain amount on their annual income tax
or if you have an extreme financial hardship,
You fill out an application (I-912).
You show the proof, a letter of proof with it.
And it's a very basic application (I-912).
And it's possible that they will either waive the entire fee ($725)
that citizenship ($640) and the biometric fee ($85) (Total fee: $725) will be waived
or in February (2017), they'll start a new program where they will cut the price in half down to $405.
But other people in general, the fee that's listed on the website (uscis.gov)
$725 to submit an N-400 (Application for Naturalization)
So , I printed them up because there's a FEE WAIVER (I-912) and a FEE REDUCTION (I-942) form.
I had to print out new ones. They (USCIS) just redid them in January (2017).
You're talking about FEE WAIVER (I-912) , you're not talking about FEE REDUCTION (I-942?
Well, fee waiver is one angle.
If you are not eligible for that one (fee waiver),
you might qualify for the next level (fee reduction).
The more middle-income people can get the fee reduction.
"Waiver" means you get it for free.
Wow!
Yeah!
Thank you. We'll take a look on USCIS.gov
And we'll put that information in the show notes.
Do you have any advice that you would give to your students?
No matter where you are in your level of English or in your education,
if you stick with it,
you can get through all the things it takes to pass the interview and become a US citizen.
It's so worth it.
We need more people like you in this country.
Thank you.
I'm honored
Thanks to the students and staff of Milpitas Adult School.
Please visit us on the web at uscitizenpod.com
where you can find our new
Citizenship Interview Quiz for Paulette Poujol-Oriol (Port-au-Prince, Haiti)
and MLK Day citizenship resources.
Also go to our YouTube channel and watch our screencast series
about using the new N-400 online application.
I will be posting a series shorter screencasts about the N-400 online application soon.
Thanks for listening.
I know that you will be a great American citizen!
USCIS N-400 Application for Naturalization https://www.uscis.gov/n-400 USCIS I-912 Fee Waiver https://www.uscis.gov/i-912 USCIS I-942 Fee Reduction https://www.uscis.gov/i-942
More links in the show notes or uscitizenpod.com.