Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI)

Pending the Social Security Administration’s (SSAs) SSI/SSP eligibility determination, if you become a naturalized U.S. citizen while receiving CAPI benefits, you may be eligible to continuously receive CAPI benefits if you meet the eligibility requirements.

(Refer to CAPI ePolicy: 49-010 Eligibility for CAPI)

You must provide proof of age, identity, immigration/non-citizen status, SSI ineligibility or pending SSI application status, proof of residency, proof of income, property/resources, and affidavits of support (if applicable). 

(Refer to CAPI ePolicy: 49-010 Eligibility for CAPI) 

As a refugee, you may be eligible to CAPI seven years after you are granted refugee status by USCIS.

Note: As a refugee, you may apply for and be eligible to SSI benefits during you’re the first seven years.

(Refer to CAPI ePolicy: 49-020 Immigrant Status – Qualified Alien)

Yes, with a U/T Visa you may be eligible to CAPI if you meet the rest of the CAPI eligibility criteria. 

(Refer to CAPI ePolicy: 49-020 Immigrant Status – Qualified Alien)

Yes, as a VAWA immigrant you may be eligible to CAPI if you meet the rest of the CAPI eligibility criteria. 

(Refer to CAPI ePolicy: 49-020 Immigrant Status – Qualified Alien)

Yes, if you are under the age of 65, you may potentially be eligible for CAPI if you meet the disability criteria as well as the rest of the eligibility criteria.

(Refer to CAPI e-Policy: 49-025 Age and Disability)

The State Disability and Adult Programs Division (DAPD) makes all blindness and disability decisions based on the medical documentation you submit and using the existing blindness and disability criteria.

(Refer to CAPI ePolicy: 49-025 Age and Disability) 

Yes, you are required to show proof that you have applied for SSI within six months prior to your CAPI application. If you have not applied for SSI prior to your CAPI application, you must do so before your CAPI application can be approved.

(Refer to CAPI ePolicy: 49-030 Ineligibility for SSI/SSP)

Your countable income must be below the CAPI payment amount for you to be eligible for a full or partial CAPI payment.

(Refer to CAPI ePolicy: 49-035 Income)

Yes. If the marriage took place after the sponsor signed my Affidavit of Support, the sponsor’s spouse’s income is deemed to you regardless of when the marriage took place.

(Refer to CAPI ePolicy: 49-035 Income) 

Yes, the income and resources of the sponsor are considered when determining your eligibility for CAPI benefits regardless of whether or not the sponsor provides you with any support.

Note: If you reside with the sponsor, the income and resources of your sponsor, including the income and resources of the sponsor’s spouse, are deemed to you for a period of time.

(Refer to CAPI ePolicy: 49-037 Sponsor Deeming)

No, sponsorship deeming stops when the sponsor dies, aa long as the surviving spouse did not sign the Affidavit of Support.

(Refer to CAPI ePolicy: 49-037 Sponsor Deeming)

To be eligible for CAPI, you are allowed to have up to $2,000 of non-excludable resources for one person or $3,000 for a couple.

(Refer to CAPI ePolicy: 49-040 Resources) 

Yes, if you are elderly or disabled immigrant and residing in a licensed NMOHC, you may be eligible to CAPI if you meet all the CAPI eligibility criteria and the facility licensure is verified.

Note: Per Medi-Cal Program staff, Medi-Cal does not pay for room and board if  you are an elderly immigrant residing in a licensed NMOHC facility. Medi-Cal only covers some medical related expenses.

(Refer to CAPI ePolicy: 49-050 Living Arrangements and Benefits Categories)

No, if you are an immigrant resident of an NMOHC, you may not receive CAPI and IHSS simultaneously. You may receive only one of the two. It is your choice.

(Refer to CAPI ePolicy 49-050 Living Arrangements and Benefits Categories) 

Yes, direct deposit is one of three options available to you to receive or access your CAPI benefits. The other two alternatives are through electric issuance process called Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) or by mail.

(Refer to CAPI ePolicy: 49-055 Benefits Determination) 

Yes, per State regulations, APP is considered an overpayment if the Administrative Law Judge rules in favor of the County.

(Refer to CAPI ePolicy: 49-055 Benefits Determination)

A suspension is a temporary discontinuance of your benefits. Your benefits may be reinstated within 12 months of the suspension action if a new application is submitted within the 12-month period. Benefits are reinstated the date the application is submitted, or the first day you meet all the eligibility requirements, whichever is later.  If your CAPI benefits are terminated, you must submit a new application to have eligibility re-determined. Benefits for new applications begin the first date of the month following the month the application was received.

(Refer to CAPI ePolicy: 49-060 Benefit Suspensions and Terminations)

Any CAPI benefits you receive while your SSI application is pending approval is considered to be interim assistance and is subject to recovery/reimbursement once your SSI is approved.

(Refer to CAPI ePolicy: 49-065 Interim Assistance Reimbursement)

Your IAR period begins the first day of the month following your SSI application month, or the month that you become eligible for SSI benefits. Your IAR period ends with and includes the month your SSI benefits begin.

(Refer to CAPI ePolicy: 49-065 Interim Assistance Reimbursement)

Your CAPI benefit eligibility redetermined will occur within 12 months of your initial benefit payment date and every 12 months thereafter.

(Refer to CAPI ePolicy:  49-070 Redeterminations)