.Purpose

Policy

Background

Release Date:

December 7, 2020

Definitions

Requirements

Verification Docs

CAPI

49-015 Application Process

Purpose

(X) To release a new policy

(  ) To release a new form

(  ) To convert existing policy to new writing style only – No concept changes

(  ) Revision of existing policy and/or form(s)

Policy

Any person may apply for the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) by one of the following methods:

 

      I.        By Telephone:

An applicant may call the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) Customer Service Center (CSC) at (866) 613-3777 and select option 7, to file a CAPI application via telephone or request to receive the SOC 814, Statement of Facts Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants by mail, whichever the applicant prefers.  

     II.        In Person:

An applicant has an option to apply for CAPI benefits in any DPSS district office of his/her choice.  However, all CAPI applications will be forwarded for processing to:

Metro North District Office #38

(DPSS CAPI Centralized District Office)

2601 Wilshire Boulevard

Los Angeles, CA 90057

    III.        By Mail:

An applicant may mail his/her completed and signed SOC 814 to the Metro North District Office. 

  IV.        By Fax:

            An applicant may fax his/her completed and signed SOC 814 to

            (213) 368-7959.

 

  Note: Each potentially eligible spouse must be treated as a separate CAPI          

            case and must complete a separate SOC 814.

 

Effective Date of Benefits

The effective date of benefit payments is the first of the month following the date the application was filed or the date the applicant would otherwise become eligible for benefits (refer to “Examples” Section).

Background

All County Letter (ACL) No. 17-31, dated May 18, 2017, clarified the procedures that counties must follow in accepting and processing CAPI applications.

Definitions

 

 

Term

Description

Authorized Representative (AR)

Another person who the applicant has authorized to represent him/her or to apply for services, including CAPI, on their behalf. 

Decision Period

 

As a general rule, DPSS must make a decision to approve or deny an application for CAPI as soon as possible, but no later than 30 calendar days following the date of application.

Eligible Couple

An eligible person and his/her eligible spouse.

Eligible Person

An aged, blind, or disabled person who meets all the CAPI eligibility requirements.

Household

A personal place of residence in which the person(s) share common living quarters and function as a single economic unit. 

Indigence Exception

 

When sponsor-deeming does not apply because it will result in:

1. Denial, suspension or reduction of CAPI benefits; and

2. Inability to obtain both food and shelter.  

Ineligible Spouse

 

 

Someone living with the applicant/participant as husband or wife who is not eligible for CAPI or Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Program (SSI/SSP).  An otherwise eligible spouse who does not apply for CAPI or SSI/SSP is also considered an ineligible spouse.

Protected Application Date

Also known as the date of application.  It is the date that DPSS receives the applicant’s request to apply for CAPI by telephone, in person, or when the mailed application is received by the district office.   

Qualified Alien

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An immigrant who is:

  1. Lawfully Admitted for Permanent Residence;

  2. Granted Cuban/Haitian entrant status;

  3. A refugee;

  4. An asylee;

  5. Deportation/removal is being withheld;

  6. Paroled into the United States (U.S.) for a period of at least one year;

  7. A conditional entrant admitted to the U.S.; or

  8. A battered person, child of a battered spouse, or parent of a battered child with a petition pending.    

Sponsor

 

A person who has executed an affidavit of support agreeing to support an immigrant as a condition of the immigrant’s admission for permanent residence in the U.S.

Sponsored Immigrant

A person on whose behalf a sponsor has executed an affidavit of support.

Spouse

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The definition of a married couple follows California Law which includes same-sex marriages.  A spouse is defined under any of the following conditions:

  1. Legally married under the laws of California, or the State where the applicant/participant had their permanent residence while living together;

b.    Either member of the couple is entitled to the other member’s Social Security Insurance benefits as the spouse of the other; or

c.    Within a domestic partnership where the applicant/ participant resides with an unrelated person of the opposite or same sex in the same household and both lead people to believe that they are spouses.   

Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Payments (SSI/SSP)

Refers to the federal (SSI) and State (SSP) funded program that provides cash assistance to aged, blind, and disabled residents of California. 

 

 

                                  

Requirements

Any individual or married couple may apply for CAPI.   In couple cases, each spouse must complete and sign his/her own application.  A parent or legal guardian may apply for CAPI on behalf of his/her child (person under the age of 18). An appointment for a face-to-face interview with the applicant is also required (refer to 49-015_1: Telephone Application Process).  The following documents must be completed as part of the CAPI application:

 

a.    SOC 814, Statement of Facts Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI);

b.    SOC 453, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) Statement of            Household Expenses and Contributions;

c.    SSP 14, Authorization for Reimbursement of Interim Assistance Initial Claim of Post Eligibility Case; and

d.    SOC 455, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants State Interim Assistance Reimbursement Authorization.

 

Documents required when the applicant is a sponsored immigrant with the 10-year sponsor deeming period:

 

a.    SOC 860, Sponsor’s Statement of Income and Resources (required only after DPSS has denied applicant’s request or if the applicant declines to apply for an indigence exception from sponsor deeming).  Completed by sponsor (and sponsor’s spouse, if applicable); and 

b.    SOC 809, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants Indigence Exception Statement (completed by applicant if applying for an indigence exception).

Additional documents and verification may be required, as applicable.

Verification Documents

As applicable, a CAPI applicant must provide to his/her CAPI Intake Eligibility Worker (EW) the following verifications as part of the CAPI application process:

 

Type

Acceptable Documents

Applicant Verifications

Documentation verifying statements made on SOC 814, (e.g., pay stubs, bank statements, tax records, rent receipts, proof of property ownership, landlord statement, lease, etc.).

Sponsor Verifications

Documentation verifying statements made on SOC 814 and   SOC 860 (e.g., sponsor’s contact information, pay stubs, bank statements, tax records, rent receipts, proof of property ownership, etc.).    

Immigration Documents

Evidence of current immigration status, such as Legal Permanent Resident card.

Identity Documents

Driver’s license, government issued photo identification e.g., driver’s license, passport, matricular card, or U. S. Citizenship Immigration Services documents.

 

Note: Expired Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) cards can be accepted if the eligibility staff can verify the applicant/ participant has current lawful permanent resident status via a Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) query.    

Proof of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Ineligibility

A denial letter from Social Security Administration (SSA) issued within the past six months before the CAPI application date that indicates the applicant is ineligible for SSI/SSP solely due to his/her immigration status. 

 

Note: An alternate acceptable document is a receipt from SSA indicating that the CAPI applicant has applied for SSI/SSP and that the application is currently being reviewed.