CDSS Programs Cash Assistance for Immigrants

Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI)

CAPI is a 100 percent state-funded program designed to provide monthly cash benefits to aged, blind, and disabled non-citizens who are ineligible for Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) solely due to their immigration status. The Welfare Reform Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-193) eliminated SSI/SSP eligibility for most non-citizens. As a result, most immigrants who were not receiving SSI/SSP in August 1996 are no longer eligible for SSI/SSP. The amount of CAPI benefits is equivalent to the amount of SSI/SSP benefits.

CAPI recipients may be eligible for Medi-Cal, CalFresh and In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), but they must file for each benefit separately. There is no automatic eligibility link between CAPI and these other programs.

An individual may be eligible for CAPI if they meet all of the following conditions:

  • Are a non-citizen and meet the immigration status criteria in effect for SSI/SSP as of 8/21/96.
  • Are 65 or over, blind or disabled.
  • Are ineligible for SSI/SSP solely due to their immigration status. (This means they must either apply for SSI/SSP and have a notice of denial based on their immigration status alone, or submit other proof of ineligibility from the Social Security Administration.)
  • Must reside in California.
  • Their income must be less than the CAPI standards.
  • Their resources must be below the allowable limits of $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple.
  • They must successfully complete the application process.

Notice

Applicants or recipients who were applying for the indigence exception for CAPI but were denied because a sponsor did not provide income and resource information on the SOC 860 may now be eligible due to the reversal in policy in All County Letters 17-33E and 17-70EII. Please contact your county staff for more information.

Translations: Spanish, Armenian and Chinese

Guiding Authority

Forms

The following are CAPI forms, to maintain statewide consistency, please do not alter the wording of any of the CAPI forms.

Quick Links

Contact Adult Programs

Looking for Cash Assistance?

Looking for In-Home Supportive Services?

Need Adult Protective Services?

Did you know?
Help with the high cost of food is available!  Most CAPI recipients are also eligible for CalFresh (Food Stamps).  To apply now, visit www.getcalfresh.org.

IHSS Timesheet Issues/Questions:
IHSS Service Desk for Providers & Recipients,
1-(866) 376-7066

Suspect Fraud?
IHSS Fraud Hotline: 1-(888) 717-8302
Help Stop Medi-Cal Fraud and Abuse
Provider Fraud and Elder Abuse complaint line:
1-(800) 722-0432

Fee Restrictions

  • Health care providers and clinics shall not charge a fee to a patient for filling out any forms related to an IHSS applicant’s eligibility determination or providing information responsive to forms that support a claim or appeal regarding eligibility for a public benefit program (Health and Safety Code Section 123114).
  • Prohibited form fees should be reported to Adult Programs Division, Policy and Quality Assurance Branch, Policy, and Operations Bureau at (916) 651-5350.