The Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) is a California program that gives money to certain legal immigrants. Legal immigrants used to be able to get this kind of help from the federal government through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. In the 1990’s, the SSI rules changed, and some legal immigrants no longer qualified for an SSI benefit. California created CAPI to help people who can’t get SSI because of their immigration status.
To get cash assistance from CAPI, you have to meet certain requirements. Most importantly, you have to be an aged, blind, or disabled California resident who has been denied SSI because of your immigration status. You also have to meet other requirements about your income, assets, and living arrangements. You can apply for CAPI at your county social services agency. Once you qualify, CAPI generally pays about the same benefit that you would receive if you could get SSI.