Refugee Cash Assistance/Other Cash Assistance Programs

REFUGEE & IMMIGRANT PROGRAMS

The Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) provides services to eligible:

  • ✓ Refugees; Asylees;
  • ✓ Cuban/Haitian Entrants;
  • ✓ Certain Humanitarian Parolees;
  • ✓ Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Holders;
  • ✓ Amerasians; and
  • ✓ Noncitizen Victims of Human Trafficking, Domestic Violence, and other Serious Crimes populations.

Members of the groups listed above are usually evaluated for eligibility to California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs), CalFresh (food assistance) and Medi-Cal. Those that do not qualify for CalWORKs may also be evaluated for eligibility in one of the following programs.


REFUGEE CASH ASSISTANCE (RCA)

Refugee Cash Assistance is available for the first 12 months that a refugee (admitted for permanent residence) is in the U.S.

In California, the refugee must first have eligibility for CalWORKs determined. If it is determined that the refugee is eligible for CalWORKs, aid must be paid under that program rather than from RCA funds.

The 12 months of RCA benefits for refugees are generally based upon the date of entry into the United States. Asylees are eligible for up to 12 months from the date their asylum is granted. Trafficking and victims of severe crimes, including non-citizen victims of domestic violence, can also qualify to receive RCA benefits after receiving certification.


TRAFFICKING AND CRIME VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TCVAP)

The Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program (TCVAP) provides eligible non-citizen victims of human trafficking, domestic violence and other serious crimes services such as cash assistance, food benefits, employment and social services. Benefits and services are modeled after the Refugee Resettlement Program which follow the same grant amounts, structure and time frames as Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) and CalWORKs.


CASH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR IMMIGRANTS (CAPI)

Provides cash assistance for aged, blind, or disabled non-citizens who do not qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) solely due to their immigration status.

CAPI applicants must provide financial eligibility information about their Immigration Sponsors. The income and resources of the Sponsor are considered available to the CAPI applicant for a period of 10 years upon arrival in the U.S. There are exceptions to the Sponsor deeming rules.

CAPI recipients may be eligible for In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) if there is a need for In-Home Care. The Sponsor deeming rules are applied in calculating IHSS payment amounts.

CAPI is a California program, and one must live in California to receive this benefit. An absence of 30 calendar days may result in a loss of residence and a loss of cash aid.

If you want to apply for CAPI or get more information on your eligibility to CAPI, please call or visit the nearest office (see above).

For additional information about CAPI please contact:
San Mateo Co. (925) 655-0990

CAPI applications are available from California Department of Social Services (CDSS):SOC 814 (ca.gov)

CAPI applications and cases are managed by San Mateo County.

CAPI Recipients information regarding your case call:
(866) 323-1953


Refugee Resources

Humanitarian crises throughout the world are impacting the families of Monterey County. The county has compiled resources to support refugees and their families in their time of need, which can be found below.


211 – Monterey County
Dialing 211 on a phone will connect individuals and families to many resources available within the county. These same resources can be viewed online as well. Some of the available resources are: housing and homeless services, services to assist with the finding and maintaining of employment as well money management services, resources for transportation, programs and assistance for education, legal services and much more.
Link: https://211montereycounty.org/


United Way Monterey County
Organization that focuses on assisting families succeed through economic self-sufficiency. United Way assist families in finding affordable childcare and housing, as well provide services to increase a family’s financial literacy, assistance preparing/filing taxes, and more.
Link: https://www.unitedwaymcca.org/


California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA)
A nonprofit law firm that provides free civil legal services to low-income residents for California’s rural counties
Link: https://crla.org/locations/salinas


The Monterey County Immigrant Services Network of Empowerment (CISNE)
Provides information regarding available resources for our immigrant/refugee community.
Link: https://www.montereycisne.org/


YWCA
An organization that is dedicated to uplifting and empowering marginalized individuals and families, with a focus on women. Services include but are not limited to: providing confidential emergency safehouses, advocacy, mental health services and domestic violence resources.
Link: https://www.ywcamc.org/


Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey
Provides tools, trainings and resources to assist individuals and families meet their needs. Catholic Charities also provides immigration services to the residents of our county.
Link: https://catholiccharitiesdom.org/


Salvation Army Monterey Peninsula Corps
This organization can potentially assist families with food, utility/rent assistance, assistance during the holidays as well as emergency and transitional shelters for those experiencing homelessness.
Link: https://westernusa.salvationarmy.org/monterey_peninsula_corps/


Refugee Housing Solutions
Website provides a database of location specific services and resources for individuals and families needing housing support, including which counties provide these services. At this time, this service is not active in Monterey County.
Link: https://refugeehousing.org/


Food Bank for Monterey County
Provides high quality food for the residents of Monterey County that may be facing food insecurity.
Link: https://foodbankformontereycounty.org/


First 5 Monterey
Primarily focuses on supporting families that have immigrated to the United States. They provide toolkits and resources that offer guidance on creating family plans while providing contacts for community resources. The resources available can assist families looking to support their children while building a healthy successful future.
Link: https://first5monterey.org/

 

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) it is prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. The law protects people with physical, mental, and developmental disabilities as well as others with serious health problems (42 U.S.C. § 12132).

“Do you have any physical, mental, or emotional conditions that make it hard for you to apply for benefits or meet program requirements?” We can provide extra help; it is called a reasonable accommodation. For more information on requesting an accommodation click PUB 13 - Your Rights Under California Public Benefits Programs or call your local office.