Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) recipients must have their eligibility redetermined every 12 months.  If an individual’s CAPI benefits are suspended the individual has 12 months to resolve the issue and have benefits reinstated.  CAPI benefits can be suspended when the recipient does not take action needed for their eligibility such as submitting mandatory paperwork.  Benefits are also suspended when recipients are temporary over the CAPI income or resource limit.

If a redetermination is scheduled while a CAPI recipient’s benefits are suspended, the redetermination is delayed until after the suspension is resolved and the recipient is returned to pay status.  After the suspension is resolved, the annual redetermination is initiated immediately.  If there is already a scheduled redetermination, it should be completed as scheduled.

If the recipient does not resolve the issue that caused the suspension within 12 months, the individual must reapply for benefits.

Note that verification of SSI ineligibility because of immigration status is acceptable within six month of being issued.

The county has 30 days from receiving the redetermination packet to decide the redetermination.  (ACL 25-21, April 1, 2025.)

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has informed counties of several changes to the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants.  These changes are because of changes in federal Supplemental Security Income policies that the CAPI program follows.

Effective October 1, 2024, CAPI recipients who live with at least one other household member who receives one or more Public Income Maintenance Payments are not subject to the in-kind support and maintenance deduction for shelter assistance received from anyone inside the household.  The in-kind support and maintenance deduction is a reduction in benefits because of non-cash assistance the CAPI recipient receives.  The in-kind support and maintenance deduction still applies to shelter assistance received from outside the household.

Food is no longer counted as in-kind support and maintenance.  Only shelter can be considered in-kind support and maintenance.

Counties must evaluate all CAPI cases at least once on the 12-month period after October 1, 2024.  Counties must determine whether there is an underpayment of benefits because of this change at that evaluation.

Counties must exclude any Public Income Maintenance payments from any income from a spouse who is ineligible for CAPI or SSI that is counted in determining the amount of CAPI benefits.

Repayment plans for CAPI overpayments can now be up to 60 months.  Counties must continue to try to negotiate a recovery rate that will repay the overpayment within 12 months, counties may approve repayment agreements up to 60 months when requested.   (ACL 24-93, December 20, 2024.)

To be eligible for the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI), an individual must be ineligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) solely because of their immigration status.  To remain eligible for CAPI, the recipient’s eligibility for SSI must be redetermined every 12 months.

Noncitizens who meet the definition of “qualified alien” for SSI must be referred to the Social Security Administration to apply for SSI annually.  As of March 9, 2024, “qualified alien” includes citizens of the Compact of Free Association states.  This also includes victims of human trafficking who have received a certification letter from the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement.

When the county determines that a CAPI applicant or recipient is not a “qualified alien” they must not be referred to the Social Security Administration to apply for SSI.  This includes U Visa applicants or holders, asylum seekers, or another PRUCOL status.  Counties must investigate a CAPI applicant or recipient’s immigration status prior to referring them to apply for SSI.

A CAPI applicant or recipient who does not apply for SSI within 30 days of being told to do so by the county is not eligible for CAPI unless they have good cause for not applying for SSI.  In this circumstance, counties must complete the SSI application with the Social Security Administration, if possible, or must otherwise initiate the SSI application process.

The California Department of Social Services states several ways that CAPI applicants or recipients can verify that they have are ineligible for SSI or have applied for SSI.

When a CAPI recipient naturalizes, they are no longer eligible for CAPI.  However, CAPI can conditionally continue for recipients who naturalize while receiving benefits, as long as they remain otherwise eligible, request conditional benefits, apply for SSI, and cooperate with the Social Security Administration.  (ACIN I-13-25, March 18, 2025.)

Effective January 1, 2025, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants benefits will increase by 2.5 percent.  This increase is because of the Social Security and SSI 2.5 percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) and the amount of CAPI benefits is linked to the amount of SSI benefits.

The COLA increase will also increase the presumed value of in-kind support and maintenance, the allowance for ineligible children in deeming situations, the sponsor’s allocation in sponsor deeming situations, and the allowance for parents in parent-to-child deeming situations.  (ACIN I-61-24, November 18, 2024.)