Afghan Support and Investment Program (ASIP)
Resources for Program Recipients | Resources for Service Providers
With the planned sunsetting of the Afghan Support & Investment Program (ASIP) in September 2023, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Refugee Programs Bureau (RPB) has compiled this webpage to provide details about the remaining timeline of this program and identify resources to support vulnerable Afghan households as they transition out of ASIP.
Introduction and Program Background
The CDSS’ RPB developed ASIP to support the transition of recent Afghan newcomers to long-term housing in California following the implementation of Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) in July 2021. ASIP was designed to provide time-limited housing-focused services and rental subsidies to help Afghan newcomers in need stabilize and move towards self-sufficiency. The program has been largely successful with nearly 1,500 ASIP applications approved and over 5,700 individuals receiving ASIP support. As we near the end of this time-limited program, RPB will continue to work with our statewide ASIP administrator, Catholic Charities Dioceses of San Diego (CCDSD), to provide services to ASIP recipients until the sunset of ASIP on September 30, 2023.
Important Information for Current Participants and Service Organizations
The application submission window for ASIP closed on September 30, 2022. Current ASIP recipients who enrolled in the program prior to September 30, 2022, are eligible to receive rental assistance for a maximum of 12 months from the date of first approval, contingent upon demonstrated need and available funding. CCDSD will continue to make recertification determinations for current ASIP recipients at three-month intervals and recipients must provide accurate and necessary information to CCDSD regarding the need for continued assistance. Recertification notices will include information on each recipient’s remaining months of eligibility and reflect the increased portion of rent the recipient is responsible for as they move towards attaining self-sufficiency.
If your organization is working with any ASIP recipients, we ask for your support in ensuring they understand the recertification process and the maximum length of eligibility they currently have remaining. All ASIP payments will end by September 30, 2023, with the exact termination date contingent upon when an ASIP recipient entered the program and recertification determinations. We encourage service organizations to assist ASIP recipient clients with securing employment and developing increased self-sufficiency during the remaining months of ASIP so that these individuals can attain stability and continue to thrive upon the sunset of the program.
General questions about ASIP can be directed to CDSS at ASIP@dss.ca.gov.
Resources for Program Recipients
General Assistance
- County Welfare Departments (CWDs) administer general cash assistance through the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) and Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) programs, as well as other statewide benefits, including CalFresh (also known as the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)) and the Medi-Cal insurance program. A contact list for all 58 counties is posted on the CDSS website. Please visit: County Social Service Agencies
- Certain California counties where large populations of refugees reside are designated as refugee-impacted. These eight refugee-impacted counties offer additional employment and social services to refugees. Refugee programs and services in these counties are administered by County Refugee Coordinators (CRCs). Contact the CRC for your county to determine what services are available in your community. A list of current California CRCs is available here: California County Refugee Coordinators
- Local Resettlement Agencies (LRAs) assist refugees and other ORR-eligible populations with various financial, employment, and social supports. Many case management programs are only available to newly arrived refugees in the first 90 days after arrival, but certain employment, career development, support group, and financial planning services are available with fewer eligibility restrictions. You can find a list of Resettlement Agencies by county here: Resettlement Agency Listings for California
Housing-Specific Assistance
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Public Housing (PIH)
- Public housing in the United States was established to provide safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.
- List of Public Housing Authorities (PHA) in California by County can be found at PHA Contact Information - (Select California from the list).
- The California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Housing and Homelessness Division (HHD) is responsible for development and oversight of statewide housing programs funded by the CDSS. You can find more information at Housing and Homelessness Programs. Some examples of housing programs under the purview of CDSS HHD include:
- CalWORKs Housing Support Program (HSP), which assists families enrolled in the CalWORKs program who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness with obtaining permanent housing, and can provide temporary shelter, help with moving costs, short to medium-term rental subsidies, and wraparound case management. You can find more information at CalWORKS Housing Support Program.
- CalWORKs Homeless Assistance (HA), a program assisting CalWORKs families, including those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, with meeting the costs of securing housing. This can include paying for up to 16 consecutive days of temporary shelter and assistance with other housing-related expenses, such as a security deposit and last month’s rent. You can find more information at CalWORKs Homeless Assistance.
- The Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP) assists individuals experiencing homelessness who are likely eligible for disability benefits to access and apply for disability benefit programs, while also providing housing support. You can find more information at Housing and Disability Advocacy Program.
Resources for Service Providers
On February 7, 2023, the CDSS RPB conducted a webinar in thought partnership with the Statewide ASIP administrator CCDSD. The webinar focused on the sunsetting of ASIP, which will occur on September 30, 2023. Members of Resettlement Agencies and Community Based Organizations were invited to attend and review statewide and local/regional policies, practices, and systems in place for the sunsetting of ASIP. The webinar included information regarding the roles and responsibilities of RPB, CCDSD, and ASIP recipients, as well as a Frequently Asked Questions segment addressing questions regarding general program requirements, rental payments, and the recertification process.
The RPB encourages agencies working with ASIP recipients, as well as recipients themselves, to review the link below for information regarding the September 30, 2023, sunsetting of ASIP.
ASIP Overview and Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions, you may contact the Statewide ASIP Administrator, Catholic Charities Dioceses of San Diego, at ASIP@ccdsd.org or the Refugee Programs Bureau at ASIP@dss.ca.gov.
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