Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI)
From CalWORKs | Welfare Resources
Some immigrants who are not eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may be able to receive a cash grant under the "CAPI" program. The program is available to many immigrants regardless of when they entered the United States.
- What is the CAPI program?
- CAPI is a state program that pays cash aid to some immigrant seniors and immigrants with disabilities who may not be eligible for federal SSI because of changes in the law. If you get SSI, you don’t get CAPI.
- Who is eligible?
- Immigrants who are not eligible for SSI benefits because of their immigration status. The following immigrants are eligible for CAPI:
- Seniors (65 years or older), and persons with disabilities who are "qualified" immigrants.
- Seniors (65 years or older), and persons with disabilities who are "permanently residing in the U.S. under color of law" ("PRUCOL").
- Who is a "Qualified" immigrant?
- Qualified immigrants include: lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, persons granted withholding of deportation or withholding of removal, conditional entry, paroled into the U.S. for at least a year, Cuban/Haitian entrants, and certain battered spouses and children.
- Who is a PRUCOL immigrant?
- PRUCOL stands for "permanently residing in the United States under color of law." PRUCOL is a term that generally describes immigrants whom the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) knows are in the United States but is not taking steps to deport or remove the person from the country.
- Will my Sponsor’s Income Count?
- Counting a sponsor’s income (“deeming”) only applies to lawful permanent residents. Deeming does not apply to refugees, asylees, parolees, battered spouses who have filed a "self-petition" for an immigrant visa, or to certain other immigrants who are not required to have a sponsor. The income of sponsor who signed a "traditional" (I-134) affidavit of support doesn’t count if you became disabled after entering the U.S. If your sponsor signed a "new" affidavit of support (INS/DHS form I-864), then deeming does not apply if you would go hungry or homeless, or if you are a victim of domestic violence. A sponsor’s income, in most but not all, cases counts for 10 years.
- Where do I Apply?
- At your County Welfare Department. You can also apply for Medi-Cal and Food Stamps.
- Should I Also Apply for SSI?
- Yes. To qualify for CAPI, you must show that you have a pending SSI application or have been denied SSI. Many seniors can receive CAPI benefits while waiting for the county to process their SSI application.
- Will getting CAPI hurt my chances of becoming a citizen or permanent resident?
- If you already have your green card and are applying for U.S. citizenship, receiving CAPI benefits will not hurt your chances of becoming a U.S. citizen.
- If you are applying for permanent residency, you generally must show the government that you are not likely to be dependent on government aid in the future. In these cases, receiving CAPI benefits might be a problem. However, some CAPI recipients, such as refugees and people granted asylum won’t have this problem. Ask an immigration specialist.
- Need More Help? - For more legal help and information, you can use LawHelpCalifornia to contact a local legal advocate.
