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DPSS ePolicy

49-020 Immigration Status - Qualified Alien

Release Date

Section Heading

Purpose

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


Policy

To be eligible for CAPI, a person must meet all CAPI criteria (refer to 49-010: Eligibility for CAPI). One of the CAPI conditions is to be a legal noncitizen of the United States (U.S.) and meet the immigration status requirements in effect for Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) on August 21, 1996, or a victim of human trafficking, domestic violence or other serious crimes as defined in Welfare and Institutions Code §18945.

To meet the immigration requirements, a CAPI applicant/participant must be one of the following:

  1. Person Residing Under the Color of Law (PRUCOL)

    (refer to 49-020.1: Immigration Status - PRUCOL); or

  2. “Qualified Alien,” which means any noncitizen who is:

    • Lawfully Admitted for Permanent Residence (LAPR);

      Note:
      An aged, blind, or disabled LAPR applicant/participant who entered the U.S. on or after August 22, 1996, and meets the Social Security Administration (SSA) requirements on qualifying quarters of work experience, may be eligible for SSI/SSP.

    • Granted Cuban/Haitian refugee entrant status. (Section 501(e) of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980);

    • A refugee who entered the U.S. under Section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA);

    • Granted status as an asylee under Section 208 of the INA;

      Note:
      An aged, blind, or disabled refugee or asylee may be eligible for SSI/SSP for a maximum of seven years. After the seven years have elapsed, they may be eligible for CAPI.

    • A noncitizen whose deportation is being withheld under Section 243(h), or whose removal is being withheld under Section 241(b)(3) of the INA;

    • A noncitizen paroled into the U.S. for a period of at least one year under Section 212(d)(5) of the INA;

    • A conditional entrant admitted to the U.S. under Section 203(a)(7) of the INA before April 1, 1980;

    • A battered noncitizen, child of a battered spouse, or parent of a battered child, if a petition is pending under the Federal Immigration Reform and Control Act;

      Note: Self-petitioners may be considered Qualified Aliens if they can establish a prima facie case for immigrant classification or have an approved self-petition.

    • SIV holders;

    • SIP with SQ/SI categories from Afghanistan; or

    • Humanitarian Parolees, including those from Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti Nicaragua, and Venezuela.

Background

Assembly Bill 2779 (Chapter 329, Statutes of 1998), requires the establishment of a program that will provide cash assistance to aged, blind, and disabled legal noncitizens who meet the immigration status requirements of SSI/SSP in effect on August 21, 1996, but are ineligible for that program solely due to their immigration status. Welfare and Institutions Code Section 18940 requires that federal and state laws governing the SSI/SSP program must also govern the CAPI Program.


Definitions

Abuse

Assaultive or coercive behavior that includes, but is not limited to, physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, economic control, isolation, stalking, threats or other types of coercive behavior.


Basic CAPI

Refers to the original eligibility component of CAPI, for which the earliest possible payment date was December 1, 1998. A noncitizen is potentially eligible for basic CAPI if they:

  1. Entered the U.S. prior to August 22, 1996; or

  2. Entered the U.S. on or after August 22, 1996, and:

    1. Have a sponsor who is deceased or disabled; or

    2. A victim of abuse by the sponsor or the sponsor’s spouse.

Date of Entry (DOE)

The effective date of the CAPI applicant’s/participant’s current immigration status as determined by the United States of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), except in any of the following situations:

  • The noncitizen is a current CAPI participant whose immigration status was adjusted after they began receiving CAPI benefits.  In this situation, the same DOE that was used to determine their initial CAPI eligibility will continue to be used for redetermination of their CAPI eligibility. 

  • The noncitizen, as of August 21, 1996, had an immigration status that met the definition of "Qualified Alien" and has maintained continuous residence in the U.S. since at least August 21, 1996.  In this situation the effective date of the Qualified Alien status held by the noncitizen on August 21, 1996, will be deemed to be their DOE for purposes of determining CAPI eligibility, even if the noncitizen later adjusts their immigration status.

Extended CAPI

A noncitizen is potentially eligible for extended CAPI if they entered the U.S. on or after August 22, 1996, and meets one of the following criteria:

  1. Does not have a sponsor;

  2. Has a sponsor who is NOT deceased or disabled; or 

  3. Has a sponsor and is NOT a victim of abuse by the sponsor or the sponsor’s spouse.

Note: The sponsor deeming rule is applicable for ten years from the date the sponsor signed the Affidavit of Support.


Indigence Exception

Suspension of the income and resources of the sponsor(s) (and the sponsor’s spouse if living in the same household) from being deemed to the applicant/participant for purposes of determining CAPI eligibility. 

Indigence exception applies when all of the following are met:

  1. Sponsor deeming results in denial, suspension, or reduction of CAPI benefits;

  2. The noncitizen is unable to obtain both food and shelter;

  3. The noncitizen completes and signs the SOC 809, CAPI Indigence Exception Statement; and

  4. The county staff determines that indigence exception applies. 

Refer to 49-037 Sponsor Deeming for more information. 


Prima Facie

Denotes that, upon initial examination, a legal claim has sufficient evidence to proceed to trial or judgment.


Requirements

The SSA has special rules that apply to the eligibility of a Qualified Alien for SSI/SSP. Since a Qualified Alien may be eligible for SSI/SSP, any CAPI applicant/participant who is a Qualified Alien must apply for SSI/SSP.  A CAPI applicant/participant who is eligible for SSI/SSP will not be eligible for CAPI.

A CAPI applicant/participant claiming their sponsor is:

  • Deceased -- must provide evidence their sponsor has died.

  • Disabled -- must provide verification of their sponsor’s disability.    

 

CAPI Aid Codes on the Medi-Cal Eligibility Data System (MEDS)

There are four CAPI aid codes being used for caseload tracking, which reflect broad noncitizen categories:

  1. 1A - Noncitizens who entered the U.S. prior to August 22, 1996, meet the federal definition of Qualified Alien, and who are age 65 or older.

  2. 6k - Noncitizens who entered the U.S. prior to August 22, 1996, and meet the PRUCOL requirements, but not the Qualified Alien requirements.

  3. 6M - Sponsored immigrants who entered the U.S. on or after August 22, 1996, and the sponsor is deceased or disabled, or the immigrant is a victim of abuse by either the sponsor or the sponsor’s spouse.

  4. 6T - Previously time-limited, but now extended CAPI. Noncitizens who entered the U.S. on or after August 22, 1996, who do not meet the sponsor restrictions in the definition of aid code 6M and who meet either the federal definition of Qualified Alien or the previous federal definition of PRUCOL. 

The CAPI aid codes are automatically inputted into MEDS through CalSAWS for existing and all new CAPI cases to:

  1. Enhance program integrity by allowing Eligibility Workers (EWs) to be aware of CAPI claims in other counties, as well as possibly alerting them to SSI/SSP eligibility; and  

  2. Provide case management information for CAPI via the centralized data source on MEDS.

The CAPI aid codes will be displayed in the same manner and in the same general location as the aid codes for General Relief (GR). The CAPI aid code information will be displayed on the INQ1, Q2, or Q3 screens on MEDS.


Verification Docs

A list of documentation to prove immigration status can be found on the Alien/Immigrant Eligibility Chart.    
 

Evidence for Death of a Sponsor 

The following can be provided to prove death of an applicant’s/participant’s sponsor:

  • A certified copy of a public record of death;

  • A statement of death by the funeral director;

  • A statement of death by the attending physician or the superintendent, physician, or intern of the institution when the person died;

  • A certified copy of the coroner’s report of death or the verdict of the coroner’s jury;

  • A certified copy of an official report of death or finding of death made by an agency or department of the U.S. that is authorized or required to make such a report; or 

  • If death occurred outside of the U.S., an official report of death by a U.S. Consul or other employee of the State Department, or a copy of the public record of death in the foreign country. 

Procedures

Administrative Release 

Number: 5798     Date: November 29, 2023        

 

Immigrants Status Requirements 

There are two sets of immigrant status requirements depending on when the applicant/participant entered the U.S. that affects sponsor deeming periods (refer to 49-037: Sponsor Deeming). An applicant/participant, who meets all CAPI requirements (refer to 49-010: Eligibility for CAPI) and qualify for one of the following: 

  1. Basic CAPI Only and the Sponsor Deeming Rule

    Sponsor deeming is indefinite until the sponsor dies, the immigrant naturalizes or the immigrant is credited with 40 qualifying quarters of earnings as a lawfully admitted permanent resident.

    An applicant/participant who entered the U.S. before August 22, 1996, and is considered:

    1. A Qualified noncitizen;

    2. A PRUCOL (refer to 49-020.1: Immigration Status - PRUCOL); or

    3. A noncitizen whose SSI/SSP benefits were stopped effective September 30, 1998, solely due to immigration status. 

  2. Basic CAPI Only

    A sponsored applicant/participant who entered the U.S. on or after August 22, 1996, but:

    1. Their sponsor died;

    2. Their sponsor is disabled; or 

    3. They are a victim of abuse by their sponsor or the sponsor’s spouse.
       
  3. Extended CAPI

    Sponsor deeming rule applies for ten years from the date the Affidavit of Support was signed.

    An applicant/participant entered the U.S. on or after August 22, 1996, and is considered:

    1. PRUCOL (refer to 49-020.1: Immigration Status - PRUCOL): or

    2. Qualified noncitizen.

Refer to 49-037 Sponsor Deeming for more information.

Note: The EW must ensure that CAPI aid codes are entered into MEDS for all existing and new cases, and that future changes in CAPI eligibility are reflected in MEDS. These aid codes are not Medi-Cal aid codes and do not reflect Medi-Cal eligibility.  Thus, Medi-Cal eligibility and Medi-Cal aid codes should not be changed.

 

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): 

The USCIS self-petitioned, battered VAWA noncitizen includes abused children, children whose parents are abused, and parents of abused children. The noncitizen must not reside in the same household with the abuser. 

  1. When a CAPI applicant/participant claims to be a victim of abuse, the EW must:

    • Accept the CAPI applicant’s/participant’s sworn statement of abuse.

    • Request for additional evidence of abuse. Additional evidence may include, but is not limited to the following:

      • Police, government agency, or court records or files;

      • Documentation from a domestic violence program, legal, clinical, medical, or other professional from whom the applicant/participant has sought assistance in dealing with abuse;

      • A statement from any other individual with knowledge of the circumstances that provided the basis for the claim; and/or 

      • Physical evidence of abuse.
         
    • Accept the CAPI applicant’s/participant’s confidential sworn statement if they cannot provide additional evidence of abuse, and make a determination documented in the case Journal on CalSAWS that the applicant is credible; and

    • Refer the CAPI applicant/participant to the Adult Protective Services (APS):

      HOW TO REPORT ELDER ABUSE OR DEPENDENT ADULT ABUSE

      Please call the 24-Hour Elder Abuse Reporting hotline at:

      1-877-477-3646 (1-844-4-R-Seniors)

      Note: If the CAPI applicant/participant has a police report, court records or other evidence listed above, there is no need to wait for the APS results of the investigation to approve the CAPI application.

    • Approve the CAPI application, if the CAPI applicant meets all the CAPI requirements (refer to 49-010: Eligibility for CAPI).
       
  2. When the results of APS investigation are returned as unsubstantiated, the EW must:

    • Reassess the case and request evidence of abuse, as listed above; 

    • Accept the CAPI applicant’s/participant’s confidential verbal sworn statement if they cannot provide additional evidence of abuse, and make a determination documented in the case Journal on CalSAWS that the applicant is credible;  

    • Allow the CAPI applicant/participant 30 calendar days to provide evidence of abuse prior to terminating the case if the applicant’s verbal abuse claim is determined not credible; 

    • If evidence of abuse is not given, deny the application after 30 calendar days or suspend the case for 12 months (refer to 49-060: Benefit Suspension and Termination); and 

    • Do not create an overpayment for CAPI benefits previously issued due to claim of abuse. The EW may initiate a welfare fraud investigation instead.

 

Sponsor Deeming Factor (refer to 49-037: Sponsor Deeming):

If the CAPI applicant/participant is a victim of abuse, they are exempted from all sponsor deeming for one year from the date the initial CAPI payment was received. The CAPI applicant/participant must not reside in the same household with the abusive sponsor. If it was determined that the abused CAPI applicant/participant is ineligible for CAPI solely because they are living with the abuser, the case shall remain pending for 30 calendar days. Once 30 calendar days have passed and the applicant/participant is still residing in the same household with the abusive sponsor, the EW will withdraw, deny, or suspend the case, as applicable.


Forms


Examples

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System Screens

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References

All County Information Notice (ACIN) No. I-07-04, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) Eligibility for Refugees Discontinued From the Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment Program, dated January 28, 2004

ACIN No. I-36-05, Cash Assistance Program For Immigrants (CAPI) Eligibility, dated June 28, 2005

ACIN No. I-98-08, The Impact of H.R. 2608, Known as the “Extension For Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act” on CAPI, dated December 23, 2008

ACIN No. I-48-16, Eligibility of Individuals Paroled as Refugees for Benefits and Services, dated June 29, 2016

ACIN No. I-79-16, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) PRUCOL Clarification, dated November 30, 2016

ACIN No. I-14-23, Eligibility of Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan Parolees for Federal and State Benefits, dated April 20, 2023

All County Letter (ACL) No. 98-82, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI), dated October 16, 1998

ACL No. 02-08, Aid Codes for the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) on the Medi-Cal Eligibility Data System (MEDS), dated January 18, 2002 

ACL No. 17-33, Transmission of Updated Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) SOC 860 and Clarification of Policy (Sponsor’s Statement of Facts: Income and Resources), dated April 17, 2017

Call-Out No. 16-28, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants Eligibilty – Citizens of Mashall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of Palua, dated May 18, 2016 

Manual Policy and Procedure (MPP) §49-005 and §49-020


Obsolete Docs

N/A


Contact

Administrative staff may contact the GR Special Projects & SSI Advocacy at (562) 908-6732.


Revision Date

November 29, 2023


Attachments for Internal Use


Attachments

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Index

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