The Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) is a California State-funded program that provides a monthly cash benefit to aged (65 years or over), blind or disabled non-citizens who are not eligible for Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Payment (SSI/SSP) solely due to their immigration status. If an immigrant has a sponsor, the income and assets of the sponsor will be considered in determining eligibility to CAPI.
CAPI participants may be eligible for Medi-Cal, In-Home Support Services (IHSS) and CalFresh (Food Assistance), but they must apply separately.
What is the process?
California Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI)
To complete the application process:
- Applicants must complete the CAPI application process that includes an interview.
- Applicants must provide: proof of citizenship status, SSI/SSP Denial Letter due to immigration status, sponsorship information, verification of income and property.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for CAPI, a person must complete the CAPI application process and meet all of the following conditions:
- A non-citizen who meets the appropriate immigration status. This means the person is either a Qualified Non-citizen or a PRUCOL Non-citizen. A “Qualified Non-citizen” is a non-citizen who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States. A PRUCOL Non-citizen is someone who is permanently residing in the United States under Color of the Law.
- Aged (age 65 or older), blind or disabled as defined for SSI/SSP purposes.
- Must apply for SSI/SSP and be ineligible for SSI/SSP solely due to their immigration status and must provide proof of ineligibility from the Social Security Administration such as a denial letter.
- A resident of California
- Has income below the CAPI standard which is less than the SSI/SSP payment standard.
- Has property below the limit of $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple.
A person is not eligible for CAPI if they are:
- A US Citizen
- A resident of a public institution for at least thirty (30) consecutive days.
- A fleeing felon or Parole violator
- Outside of California for at least thirty (30) consecutive days.
When and where is this service offered?
Applications for the CAPI Program can be made by phone, in person, by mail or email.
Location, directions and hours of operation
Click on location name to show hours of operation, directions and phone information
Monday - Friday 8-4; 4-5 by appt only
1086 East Grand Avenue
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
Tel: (805) 474-2000
Monday - Friday 8-4; 4-5 by appt only
9630 El Camino Real
Atascadero, CA 93422
Tel: (805) 461-6000
Monday - Friday 8-4; 4-5 by appt only
600 Quintana Road
Morro Bay , CA 93442
Tel: (805) 772-6405
Fax: (805) 772-6409
Monday - Friday 8-4; 4-5 by appt only
681 West Tefft Street Suite 1
Nipomo, CA 93444
Tel: (805) 931-1800
Monday - Friday 8-4; 4-5 by appt only
406 Spring Street
Paso Robles, CA 93446
Tel: (805) 237-3110
Monday - Friday 8-4; 4-5 by appt only
3433 South Higuera
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Tel: (805) 781-1600
FAQS
The California Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) is a cash assistance program for non-citizens who are either aged, blind or disabled who do not qualify for SSI solely due to immigration status.
CAPI provides a monthly cash benefit. Eligibility to the program is re-determined every twelve (12) months.
To be eligible for CAPI you must be at least 65 years of age or meet Social Security's definition of disability or blindness. In addition, you must be either a Qualified non-citizen or Permanently Residing in the US under Color of Law (PRUCOL), a California resident, have income and property below the CAPI Limits and provide proof that you have applied for SSI and have been denied due to your immigration status
Applications for the CAPI Program can be made by phone, in person, by mail or email.
Applications for the CAPI Program can be made by phone, in person, by mail or email. For phone, in person, or mail applications, please see location information above. For email applications, please send application to [emailprotected].
If you are under the age of 65 years, then yes, you must meet Social Security's definitions of disability or blindness.
If you are age 65 years or older, then no, there are no medical requirements because you are considered “aged”.
Yes, to be eligible for CAPI, you cannot have property worth more than $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. CAPI does not count the value of the home that you live in, or the value of your car.
If your CAPI application is approved, your eligibility will begin the month after you apply for benefits.
No, to be eligible for CAPI, you must not be eligible for the SSI Program. You may, however, be eligible for CAPI while your SSI application is being processed.
Yes, you may be on CAPI and other programs such as Medi-Cal, CalFresh and In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS). You will have to apply for the programs and complete the program's application process.
To stay enrolled in CAPI, you will need to continue to meet the income, asset and residency requirements. You will need to complete a re-determination process every twelve (12) months.
The CAPI program is a state program for people who do not qualify for SSI/SSP due to their immigration status. The SSI/SSP program is a federal and state program administered by the Social Security Administration.
If you entered the US with the support of a sponsor, your sponsor's income and property may affect your eligibility for CAPI. Usually a sponsor, their income and property are considered when determining CAPI eligibility. The spouse of the sponsor's income and resources may also be considered in determining eligibility.
To be eligible for CAPI, you must be either a Qualified Non-citizen or Permanently Residing in the US Under Color of Law (PRUCOL).
Your spouse's income and property may affect your eligibility for the CAPI program.
CAPI benefits are cash benefits that may be considered a "Public Charge". If you have questions about "Public Charge" and the CAPI program, you may wish to consult an immigration attorney or other experts in Immigration.
The National Immigration Law Center (NILC) is a national support center whose mission is protect and promote the rights and opportunities of low-income immigrants and their family members. NILC staff specialize in immigration law, and the employment and public benefits rights of immigrants
The National Immigration Law Center (NILC) can be found on the internet athttps://www.nilc.org/.
Or you can call the Los Angeles office at (213) 639-3900
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provides immigration services and benefits. The USCIS was formerly the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).
USCIS can be found on the internet athttps://www.uscis.gov/.
Or you can call toll-free 1-800-375-5283 or 1-800-767-1833 (TDD for the deaf or hard of hearing)
