California’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants

In her role as CEO of the Davis Street Community Center, Rose Padilla Johnson has been a pillar of the San Leandro community for nearly 30 years. Under Rose Padilla Johnson’s leadership, the center has grown into a comprehensive resource for low-income families seeking financial assistance to meet their basic needs. The center also provides information about programs specifically for immigrant residents, such as the California Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI).

Changes made to the eligibility requirements for Social Security Income (SSI) in 1996 made the benefit inaccessible to thousands of legal immigrants. To address this issue, California launched CAPI, a cash assistance program designed to replace SSI for legal immigrants.

In addition to legal immigration status, CAPI applicants must be 65 or older or have a disability, such as blindness. The current benefit cap for CAPI cash assistance is just over $900 a month. CAPI payments and eligibility are impacted by an applicant’s marital or sponsor status, age of disability, and other sources of income. Residents can request applications for CAPI at their local social service agency.

Food and Clothing Services Provided by Davis Street

Experienced San Leandro business leader Rose Padilla Johnson has served as the chief executive officer of Davis Street Community Center Incorporated since 1991. Davis Street Community Center administers vital support to local families, including food and clothing services. In addition to managing operations at Davis Street, Rose Padilla Johnson spends time as a member of the Rotary Club of San Leandro.

Over the course of more than four decades, Davis Street has provided food services to the local community, services that remain a staple of the organization’s community work. Today, food and clothing services are provided to in need individuals from San Leandro in the south and as far north as Albany. Davis Street’s food partners include the Alameda County Community Food Bank and USDA Commodities. In addition, local schools often support programs through food drives. Families in need of clothing services, meanwhile, should meet with a Davis Street family advocate to discuss their needs in more depth.

To learn more about income eligibility for food and clothing support, or to sign up for yearly food and clothing services, please visit Davis Street online at www.davisstreet.org.