Details on CAPI, CFAP and CalWORKS

In his proposal, Schwarzenegger proposed to completely cut funding for three immigrant welfare programs.

The first, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI), is a relatively small program that helps seniors and the disabled to have access to food, medication, and other basic necessities.  It provides an average monthly grant of around $700 to approximately 8,500 disabled and senior immigrants statewide.  Cutting this program would be devastating to the elderly and vulnerable legal immigrant population.

The second is the Cash Food Assistance Program (CFAP), a food stamp program that was put in place specifically for legal immigrants who do not qualify for other state or federal food welfare assistance.  These immigrants are legal residents but have lived in the United States for less than 5 consecutive years.  About 31,000 low-income legal residents are currently enrolled in this program.

Finally, Schwarzenegger would also discontinue CalWORKS, California’s version of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.  CalWORKS provides basic cash assistance, job training, childcare, and other support to low-income families – it is currently available to lawful immigrants without a 5-year waiting period.  Approximately 24,000 immigrants within their first 5 years in status receive assistance under CalWORKS.

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