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 SSI/SSP solely due to their immigrant status. The welfare reform act of 1996 (P.L. 104-193) eliminated Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (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.

  1. Am I Eligible?
  2. Where Can I Apply
  3. FAQ

In order to qualify for CAPI you must:

  • Meet all other SSI/SSP eligibility criteria except for immigration status
  • Be aged, blind, or disabled,
  • Be a resident of California,
  • Have resources below the allowable limits of $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple, and
    • Have income less than the CAPI standards
    • Be a non-citizen and meet the immigration status criteria in effect for SSI/SSP as of 8/21/96.
    • Be ineligible for SSI/SSP solely due to immigration status. This means a CAPI applicant must apply or SSI/SSP,or submit other proof of ineligibility from the Social Security Administration.

 CAPI payment amounts vary depending on a person's marital status, living arrangements and other income. CAPI payment standards are equivalent to the amount of SSI/SSP benefits.

 There may be other factors considered when determining your eligibility. Eligibility Specialists meet with you individually to discuss your situation at the time of your application.