Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/431369
63 The People's Guide 2015 If you speak limited English and you need to apply for SSI, SSDI, or a Social Security number, the Social Security Administration is required to give you an interpreter, no matter what language you speak, whether it is at the Social Security Office or at an appointment to determine a disability. Who Can Get Benefits? 1. Who are "Qualified" and "Non Qualified" Immigrants? The government divides immigrants into "qualified" and "not qualified" immigrants " You have to check the guidelines for each program to see which immigrants are eli- gible. The names are misleading, because "Qualified" immigrants are not necessarily elegible for programs, and "Not qualified" immigrants may still be able to apply in different programs. "Qualified" immigrants include: • Lawful permanent residents ("green card') • Refugees • Asylees • Persons granted withholding of deporta- tion or removal • Cuban and Haitan entrants • Persons paroled into the US for at least one year • Conditional entrants • Certain spouses and children who are victims of domestic violence. "Not Qualified" immigrants include: • Undocumented immigrants • Temporary Protected Status (TPS) • Persons who are Permanently Resid- ing Under Color of Law (PRUCOL), which means the authorities know you are here but do not plan to deport you • Persons in the US on a non-immigrant visa • Survivors of trafficking • U Visa applicants and holders 2. Which Immigrants Can Get SSI? If you are a low-income non-citizen in the U.S. who has a disability, is blind, or over 65 years old, you can get SSI if you meet all the usual requirements of the program, AND you meet these conditions for your immigration status: • You are a refugee, Amerasian immi- grant, Cuban or Haitian entrant, federally certified victim of trafficking or a T visa holder, asylee, or were granted withholding of deportation/removal, (but only during the seven years after getting this status. If it has been more than 7 years and you do not qualify for SSI based on any other grounds, you should apply for CAPI); • You are a "qualified immigrant" who is a current or veteran U.S. military personnel (or Filipino veteran who served under U.S. command during WWII), or the spouse or dependent child (under 18 if unmarried or under 22 if a student) of one, or the un-remarried widow or widower of one; • You are a lawful permanent resident with credit for 40 quarters (about 10 years) of work in the U.S. You can add your work quarters with any work quarters earned by your spouse during the marriage, or that your parents earned before you were 18. However, if you entered the US on or after August 22, 1996 you cannot use your work quarters until 5 years after the date you became a "qualified" immigrant • You are a "qualified" immigrant who was lawfully residing in the US on August 22, 1996 and are blind or disabled. However, unlike those in the above categories you cannot qualify solely on the basis of being over 65 years old. • If you have a sponsor, see pg 65 "What If I Have a Sponsor" about "deeming" rules. 3. Which Immigrants Can Get CAPI? If you are an immigrant who has a dis- ability, is blind or 65 years old or older and you are not eligible for SSI because of your immigration status, you may be able to get CAPI (Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants.) To get CAPI you must be either • a "Qualified Immigrant" (see left column of this page) • a survivor of trafficking • a "U" visa applicant or holder, or • PRUCOL (Permanently Residing Under Color of Law), meaning that the immigra- tion authorities know you are here and do not plan to deport or remove you from the country. • If you have a sponsor, see pg 65 "What If I Have a Sponsor" about "deeming" rules. See "Can I Get CAPI" pg. 26 for full details on eligibility and where to apply for this program. 4. Which Immigrants Can Get CalFresh (Food Stamps)? To get CalFresh (Food Stamps) you must be: • A Qualified Immigrant (see left column on this page) OR • You, your spouse or parent are a mem- ber of a Hmong or Lao tribe that provided assistance to the US during the Vietnam War era and you are lawfully present in the US. • A survivor of trafficking or a U visa applicant or holder • Lawful temporary resident (you have a green card but have not yet been here 5 years) • If you have a sponsor, see pg 65 "What If I Have a Sponsor" about "deeming" rules. 5. Which Immigrants Can Get CalWORKs and GR? Qualified immigrants, noncitizen victims of trafficking, U visa applicants and holders, and immigrants who are PRUCOL may be eligible for CalWORKs pg. 4) and General Relief (pg. 27). You must also meet the income limit and other requirements.If you have a sponsor, see pg 65 "What If I Have a Sponsor" about "deeming" rules. 6. What is Refugee Cash Assistance? Refugees who have been in the country less than 8 months and persons who were granted asylum less than 8 months before, may be eligible for Refugee Cash Assistance (generally this is for able bod- ied adults without children.) Survivors of trafficking , noncitizen victims of domestic violence and other serious crimes, and U visa applicants and holders also may qualify for Refugee Cash Assistance. Call the local DPSS office listed on page 70. Non-Citizens