Benefits
CalFresh
CalFresh formerly known as Food Stamps, helps low-income people buy the food they need for good health. For most households, CalFresh benefits are only a part of their food budget. They must spend some of their own cash, along with their CalFresh Benefits, in order to buy enough food for the month.
Medical Insurance
Affordable health care is essential to everyone's health and well-being. A number of health care coverage options are now
available for qualifying individuals and families. Each program has its own rules to determine who is eligible and the cost, if any, of coverage.
Other Services & Programs
There are four basic programs that provide cash payments to eligible individuals or households. Each program has its own eligibility rules to determine if a person or household can receive cash payments and the amount of those payments.
CalWORKs is a time-limited cash assistance program for children and their parent(s) or qualifying relative with whom they live. Those receiving assistance through this program automatically qualify for Medi-Cal and may qualify for CalFresh, formerly known as Food Stamps. Employable adults are required to work or look for work.
Visit the California Official CalWORKs website for further information on this program.
General Assistance is a program for individuals or families that do not qualify for other cash programs. Individuals can receive General Assistance up to 3 months in a 12-month period, unless they are exempt from these time limits.
What is CAPI?
Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) is a 100 percent state-funded program that provides monthly cash benefits to aged, blind, and disabled non-citizens (immigrants) who are not eligible to Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) solely due to their immigration status. The amount of CAPI benefits is equivalent to the amount of SSI/SSP benefits.
An individual who is eligible to CAPI may also be eligible for Medi-Cal, CalFresh and In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), but they must apply for each benefit separately. There is no automatic eligibility link between CAPI and these other programs.
An individual may be eligible for CAPI if they meet all of the following conditions:
- Are a non-citizen and meet the immigration status criteria in effect for SSI/SSP as of 8/21/96.
- Are age 65 or over, blind or disabled.
- Are ineligible for SSI/SSP solely due to their immigration status. (This means they must apply for SSI/SSP, or submit other proof of ineligibility from the Social Security Administration.)
- Reside in California.
- Have income less than the CAPI standards.
- Have resources below the allowable limits of $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple.
- Successfully complete the application process.
Who is not eligible to the CAPI program?
- US Citizens
- Residents of a public institution
- Anyone who lives outside of the United States for more than 30 days
- Fleeing felon
- Anyone who violates a condition of probation of parole
- Anyone who fails to file for all other benefits for which they are eligible to
Learn more about CAPI
Individuals interested in learning more can also visit the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) webpage for CAPI.
How can I apply for CAPI?
Fill out the CAPI Application (SOC 814) and send to us by mail or fax. Or drop it off at one of our office locations:
Locations
Oroville
78 Table Mountain Boulevard
Oroville, CA 95965
Chico
765 East Avenue
Chico, CA 95926
Paradise
7204 Skyway
Paradise, CA 95969
OR
Who is Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) program for?
RCA is a cash assistance program for refugees who are not otherwise eligible for any other cash aid. RCA also includes employment and other social services to assist a refugee in becoming self-sufficient.
Populations that could be eligible for the RCA includes:
- Refugees
- Asylees
- Cuban/Haitian entrants
- Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders
- Afghan and Ukrainian Parolees
- Amerasians; AND
- Certified Victims of Human Trafficking.
RCA is available for up to 12 months from date of admission to the U.S. in qualifying status, date of final grant of asylum or date of certification by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) as Victim of Trafficking.
How to Apply
Go to BenefitsCal.com and apply online.
OR come into the office:
Locations
Oroville
78 Table Mountain Boulevard
Oroville, CA 95965
Chico
765 East Avenue
Chico, CA 95926
Paradise
7204 Skyway
Paradise, CA 95969
Learn More about RCA
For more information visit the California Department of Social Services Website.
The Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program (TCVAP)
Who is it for?
TCVAP is a cash assistance program for non-citizen victims of crime who are in need of immediate services, and who are obtaining a legal humanitarian status or assisting in the prosecution of a crime. This program victims of human trafficking who have not yet been certified by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), victims of domestic violence, and other serious crimes.
How to Apply:
Go to BenefitsCal.com and apply online.
Or go to our Apply for Assistance page for other ways to apply for services.
Already Getting TCVAP:
If you have questions or problems with your TCVAP benefits, contact us or the CDSS TCVAP coordinator at (916) 654-4356
Non-citizen victims of crime and their eligible family members in the TCVAP are eligible for benefits and services to the same extent as refugees.
Additional Services:
TCVAP recipients may also receive additional services through the Enhanced Services for Asylees and Vulnerable Noncitizens (ESAVN) program. For more information about services available and to see if you’re eligible, please visit the ESAVN webpage.
Do you need a service provider to work with?
To contact a local organization who assist victims of crime, contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center for assistance.
Have you heard about California's Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC)? For more information on how you could get more money back in your tax return, click the following links:
Who May Be Eligible
Each program has rules about who qualifies and how much they can receive. Facts about the individual or household will be verified, including but not limited to:
- Income
- Bank accounts
- Stocks
- Vehicles
- Age
- Residency
How to Apply
Those living in Butte County can apply at any of the Community Employment Centers listed under Connect with Benefits. An interview is completed at the office. In some cases the interview can be completed at another location. If an interpreter is needed please ask at the time an appointment is made so one can be made available for the interview. There is no cost to you for the services of an interpreter.
Connect with Benefits
- Online at the BenefitsCal website
- By phone by calling the Customer Service Center at 877-410-8803
- In person, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm at: