Your Resources & Income

Besides the immigration status requirements, there are also resource and income limits that you have to meet to be eligible for CAPI. These requirements are generally the same as they are in the SSI program. Like SSI, CAPI does not count all of your income and resources when figuring out if you are eligible for the program. If the amount that they count towards the program is less than the limits, then you are eligible.

CAPI's countable resource limit is $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples. CAPI does not count certain things, like your house, when figuring out if you meet the resource requirements. Click here for a list of resource exclusions. CAPI’s countable resource limit is $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples.

The income limits are used to determine your eligibility for the program and your benefit amount. This process is very similar to SSI’s countable income calculation, and includes earned, unearned, and deemed (see below) income. CAPI compares your countable income to the amount of money you’re eligible to receive. If your countable income is greater than the amount you’re eligible for, then you can’t get a benefit. For example, if you’re eligible to receive $835, and you have $920 in countable income, you aren’t eligible for CAPI. If your countable income is less than the amount you’re eligible for, then you are eligible, and the difference between the two amounts is your benefit. For example, if you’re eligible to receive $835, and you have $400 of countable income, you’ll get a $435 benefit. The amount you’re eligible for is called a payment standard and is based on your living arrangements and disability. CAPI uses the same categories as SSI, but the benefit amount is $10 less for individuals and $20 less for couples. Click here and scroll to the bottom of the document for a table that lists the 2012 CAPI payment standards.

Responsibilities

It’s very important that you report changes in your immigration status, income, resources, marital status, living arrangement, and sponsor information. If CAPI finds out that you misled them, they will charge you an overpayment, which means you have to pay back the excess money. There are ways to have overpayments waived, but you should avoid them in the first place. Lying or withholding information may also affect your CAPI eligibility.