Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/398224
63 The People's Guide 2013-2014 are not a citizen, even though you are eligible • you do not receive a free interpreter or bilingual caseworker • there is a delay or any other problem because you speak limited English • Ask for the District Immigrant Liaison at the nearest welfare office, in person or by telephone (see pg. 70). 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. Which Immigrants Can Get SSI? If you are a low-income immigrant in the U.S. who has a disability, is blind, or over 65 years old, you can get SSI if: • You were already receiving SSI as of August 22, 1996. • You become a citizen • You are a refugee, Amerasian immigrant, 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. • You must also meet the income limit and other requirements. If you have a sponsor, your sponsor's income and resources may be added to yours to determine your income eligibility (this is called "deeming"). There are some exceptions to "deeming" rules. 2. 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 pg. 61), • a survivor of trafficking, • a r 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. You must also meet the income limit and other requirements. If you are an immigrant with a sponsor, your sponsor's income and resources may be added to yours to deter- mine your income eligibility (this is called "deeming"). There are some exceptions from deeming. See "Can I Get CAPI" pg. 25 for full details on eligibility and where to apply for this program. 3. Which Immigrants Can Get CalFresh (Food Stamps)? To get CalFresh (Food Stamps) you must be: • A Qualified Immigrant (see pg. 58) 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) You must also meet the income limit and other requirements. If you have a sponsor, your sponsor's income and resources may be added to yours to determine your income eligibility (this is called "deeming"). There are some exceptions to deeming. See CalFresh/Food Stamps (page 32)for more information on eligibility and where to apply. 4. Other Cash Programs Qualified immigrants, noncitizen victims of trafficking, U visa applicants and holders, and immigrants who are PRUCOL may be eligible for CalWORKs (aid for families with children under 19 years old, pg. 4) and General Relief (aid for individuals with no dependent children, pg. 27). You must also meet the income limit and other requirements. If you have a sponsor, your sponsor's income and resources may be added to yours to determine your eligibility. There are exceptions to deeming. REFUGEE CASH ASSISTANCE: Non- citizen victims of trafficking may be eligible for Refugee Cash Assistance when the proper filing status is met for the T visa. Noncitizen victims of Domestic violence and other serious crimes may be eligible for RCA when an application has been filed for a U visa/interim relief with the USCIS. Victims of trafficking may also qualify for an additional 8 months of Refugee Cash Assistance once they receive certification from Office of Refugee Resettlement. 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 and U visa applicants and holders also may qualify for Refugee Cash Assistance. Call the local DPSS office listed on page 70. 5. What Health Care Programs Are Available for Immigrants? All LA county residents, including docu- mented and undocumented immigrants, may be able to get health care through county programs. They may also be able to receive services through Emergency Medi-Cal, Pregnancy related Medi-Cal, Minor Consent Services Medi-Cal, county mental health services, CHDP and services provided by many free and community clinics. To be eligible for all Medi-Cal services (also known as full-scope Medi-Cal) you must be PRUCOL or a "Qualified" immigrant. See "Health Care for Children" pg. 48 for programs with no immigration restrictions. "Qualified" immigrants, survivors of traf- ficking, U visa applicants and holdersf, and PRUCOL immigrants may be eligible Non-Citizens