The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued guidance regarding verification and eligibility for persons paroled into the United States under Immigration and Naturalization Act section 212(d)(5), also known as public interest parolees, when determining eligibility for CalWORKs, CalFresh, California Food Assistance Program (CFAP), Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA), and Entrant Cash Assistance (ECA).
When someone entering the United States is granted parole status at a port of entry or District Office, they are given a DT code.
People who are paroled into the United States are eligible for CalWORKs. In verifying parole status for CalWORKs, counties must accept documentation showing the DT code and the length of parole, and must not ask for additional verification. Counties can ask for additional verification or run a SAVE match if the length of parole is unclear. Counties must review CalWORKs applications received after June 30, 2023 and were denied for failure to provide additional verification of parole status, and retroactively approve aid if the family is otherwise eligible. When the recipient’s parole term expires, counties must evaluate whether the family meets another eligible noncitizen category.
Office of Refugee Resettlement eligible parolees are eligible for RCA or ECA if they meet all other program eligibility requirements. Any CalWORKs applicant with a DT code who is found ineligible for CalWORKs should be evaluated for RCA and ECA. Counties must review RCA applications received after June 30, 2023 and were denied for failure to provide additional verification of parole status, and retroactively approve aid if the family is otherwise eligible.
To be eligible for CalFresh, a parolee must have a duration of parole into the United States of at least one year, and must have been in the United States for 5 years.
To be eligible for CFAP, a parolee must have a duration of parole into the United States of at least one year. CFAP does not have the 5 year waiting period requirement. (ACL 24-27, April 24, 2024.)