DPSS ePolicy

To convert exisiting policy to new writing style only - No concept changes

A Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) applicant/participant must apply for all other benefits for which they may be potentially eligible for to be eligible or remain eligible for CAPI benefits.  Other benefits include ongoing or one-time benefit payments such as Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP), Title II Social Security, Veterans’ benefits, annuities, pensions, retirement benefits, disability benefits, unemployment or workers compensation, Social Security benefits, or any other private pensions.

An applicant/participant who does not file for other benefits within 30 days of receiving the Eligibility Worker’s (EW) referral is not eligible or does not remain eligible for CAPI, unless the EW determines that a good reason exists for not filing within the 30-day period.  Filing for other benefits also includes cooperating with the other agencies by providing all requested information and evidence.

Other Programs

A CAPI applicant/participant may be eligible for additional benefit programs, such as Medi-Cal, CalFresh, or In-Home Supportive Services, while applying for or receiving CAPI benefits.  A CAPI applicant can potentially be eligible for General Relief while their CAPI application is pending. 

The EW should advise the CAPI applicant/participant of their potential eligibility for the other programs and make the appropriate referrals, especially when reviewing the applicant’s/participant’s responses on the SOC 814, Statement of Facts Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI), and SOC 804, Statement of Facts for Determining Continuing Eligibility for Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI).  The EW must ensure that the County Use only side for both forms are marked accordingly when referrals are made. 

The SAWS 1, Coversheet to the Application for Cash Aid, Food Stamps, and/or Medi-Cal/34-County Medical Services Program (CMSP), may be used as a protective filing for either Medi-Cal or CalFresh, allowing the applicant to receive benefits beginning the day that their application, whether partially or fully completed, was submitted.  However, the individual must still complete the application process for the other programs.

Under the provisions of the 1998 Budget Act Implementation Bill for Social Services (Assembly Bill 2779, Chapter 329), some immigrants no longer eligible for SSI/SSP will now be eligible for CAPI.  For CAPI eligibility, AB 2779 requires individuals to successfully complete an application process, meet the immigration status criteria of SSI/SSP in effect on August 21, 1996, meet all other current SSI/SSP eligibility criteria, and be ineligible for SSI/SSP solely due to their immigration status under Title IV of P.L. 104-193.  CAPI applicants will have to meet eligibility requirements related to their age or disability, immigration status, income, resources, living arrangements, and pursuit of other potential benefits. 

One of the CAPI eligibility requirements is ineligibility for SSI/SSP.  When an EW makes the referral for SSI/SSP, a qualified alien (refer to 49-020: Immigration Status) applicant/participant must:

1. File for SSI/SSP benefits; (Attachment A) 
   
   
2. Cooperate with the Social Security Administration (SSA) by providing all requested information and evidence; 
   
   
3. Have an SSI/SSP denial letter due to immigration status dated within six months of the CAPI application date; and
   
   
4. Appeal the disability decision if they have been denied SSI/SSP because of a determination that he or she is not disabled.

An applicant/participant is eligible or remains eligible for CAPI benefits while the SSI/SSP claim or appeal of an immigration status or disability issue is pending, if they fully cooperates in the application and administrative appeal process of the SSA.  An applicant/participant who does not file for SSI/SSP within 30 days of receiving the EW referral is not eligible or does not remain eligible for CAPI, unless the EW determines that a good reason exists for not filing within the 30-day period (refer to 49-030: Ineligibility for SSI/SSP).  A CAPI applicant/participant who has PRUCOL (refer to 49-020_1: PRUCOL) immigration status is not required to file for SSI/SSP benefits. 

Refer to 49-030: Ineligibility for SSI/SSP.