Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI)
CAPI is a 100 percent state-funded program designed to provide monthly cash benefits to aged, blind, and disabled non-citizens who are ineligible for Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) solely due to their immigration status. The Welfare Reform Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-193) eliminated SSI/SSP eligibility for most non-citizens. As a result, most immigrants who were not receiving SSI/SSP in August 1996 are no longer eligible for SSI/SSP. The amount of CAPI benefits is equivalent to the amount of SSI/SSP benefits.
CAPI recipients may be eligible for Medi-Cal, CalFresh and In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), but they must file for each benefit separately. There is no automatic eligibility link between CAPI and these other programs.
An individual may be eligible for CAPI if they meet all of the following conditions:
- Are a non-citizen and meet the immigration status criteria in effect for SSI/SSP as of 8/21/96.
- Are 65 or over, blind or disabled.
- Are ineligible for SSI/SSP solely due to their immigration status. (This means they must either apply for SSI/SSP and have a notice of denial based on their immigration status alone, or submit other proof of ineligibility from the Social Security Administration.)
- Reside in California.
- Income must be less than the CAPI standards.
- Resources must be below the allowable limits of $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple.
- Complete the application process.
Notice
Language Access at CDSS:
You have the right to free and timely oral interpretation, sign language services, and written translations of English-language content.
State and Federal law requires us to provide you with free interpretation services and to translate information for individuals who have limited English proficiency (LEP). This is to make sure you understand your benefits, rights, and responsibilities and can fully participate in our programs.
We must provide effective communication so that individuals who are LEP can use our government services and programs. We prohibit discrimination in the delivery of public services.
Guiding Authority
Recently Published CAPI Policy Letters
List of All CAPI Policy Letters
CAPI Policy Letters
List of All CAPI Forms
CAPI Forms