The California Department of Social Services has issued instructions regarding applications for the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI). Any person can apply for CAPI by telephone, in writing to the county social services agency or in person at the county social services agency office. For individuals applying by telephone, the county must complete the CAPI application form over the phone. Counties must have a face-to-face contact with the applicant as part of the application process. The county should begin the application process and follow up by making an in person appointment. If the applicant cannot travel to the local social services agency office for a face-to-face contact because of a disability or other good reason, the county must make alternative arrangements.
Counties cannot refer applicants or recipients to apply for SSI before evaluating immigration status. Counties cannot refer applicants or recipients to apply to SSI if the county determines the applicant is not a qualified immigrant or the applicant or recipient has applied for SSI in the last six months and was denied solely because of immigration status. When the county refers an applicant or recipient to apply for CAPI, the applicant or recipient must do so within 30 days.
Counties must make all CAPI forms available in each of the threshold languages in the county. CDSS has translated the CAPI forms into the state threshold languages. When the client’s primary language is other than one of the state’s or county’s threshold languages, the county must provide an in person interpreter or use a telephone interpreter service to communicate in the client’s primary language.
Counties must make a decision to approve or deny CAPI as soon as possible but no later than 30 days following the date of application. The county cannot delay making a decision to wait for a decision on a SSI application. The date of application is the date an individual expresses the desire to apply for CAPI by telephone or in person, or the date the county receives a written request.
CDSS policy is to make an exception to the 30 day period for applicants under age 65 claiming disability and a Medi-Cal disability determination has not been made. In those cases, counties have 30 days from the date the county obtains a disability determination from the Disability Determination Services Division (DDSD) to make a determination.
When benefits are granted, the applicant is entitled to benefits retroactive to the first day of the month following approval. In cases delayed by waiting for a DDSD determination, benefits are granted retroactive to the first day of the month following the application date. (ACL 17-31, May 18, 2017.)