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. Again, eligibility for CalWORKs must first be determined and aid will be paid under that program if eligibility exists.
For more information about the RCA program please contact:
(866) 663-3225
TRAFFICKING AND CRIME VICTIMS 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.
For more information about the TCVAP program please contact:
Applicants that wish to apply for RCA or TCVAP online may do so by:
- Calling (866) 663-3225 to apply over the phone.
- Applying online by using this link to apply for CalWORKs: https://benefitscal.com
- Visiting one of the following office locations:
| East County | Central County | West County |
| 4545 Delta Fair Boulevard Antioch, CA 94509 | 400 Ellinwood Way Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 | 1305 Macdonald Avenue Richmond, CA 94801 |
Office hours in each location are:
Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
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.
Applications for CAPI are taken in the General Assistance offices. There are three General Assistance units located in Contra Costa County. If you want to apply for CAPI or get more information on your eligibility to CAPI, please call or visit the nearest office.
| East County | Central County | West County |
| 4545 Delta Fair Boulevard Antioch, CA 94509 | 400 Ellinwood Way Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 | 1305 Macdonald Avenue Richmond, CA 94801 |
Office hours in each location are:
Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
The CAPI application is available from California Department of Social Services (CDSS): SOC 814 (ca.gov)
CAPI applications and cases are managed by San Mateo County.
CAPI Recipients can obtain information about their cases by calling:
(800) 648-0954
For additional information about CAPI please contact:
(925) 655-0990