Program Eligibility

Refer to the tables below for eligible immigration status for specific programs.

CalWORKs/CalFresh/Medi-Cal

Immigration Status CalWORKs Medi-Cal CalFresh Documentation may include but is not limited to:
  Fed St Fed St Fed St
Afghan and Iraqi Special Immigrants   X X   X   An Iraqi or Afghan passport with an Immigrant Visa (IV) stamp noting that the individual has been admitted under any one of the following categories:
  • SI1 or SQ1 (Principal Applicant);
  • SI2 or SQ2 (Spouse of SI1 or SQ1);
  • SI3 or SQ3 (Unmarried child, under the age of 21, of SI1 or SQ1);
  • SI6 or SQ6 (Principal Adjusting Status in the U.S.);
  • SI7 or SQ7 (Spouse of SI6 or SQ6);
  • SI9 or SQ9 (Unmarried child, under the age of 21, of SI6 or SQ6); and
  • A DHS stamp or notation on passport or I-94 showing date of entry.
DHS Form I-551 with an code of SI6 or SQ6, SI7 or SQ7, or SI9 or SQ9 which confirms both the status and the date of entry into the U.S. for the principal SIV applicant. Refer to Afghan and Iraqi Special Immigrants Visas (SIVs).
Amerasian INA § 402(a)(2)(A)(i)(v) X   X   X  
  • I-94 annotated under 584 of Foreign Operations Export Financing & Related Program Appropriations Act
  • I-94 annotated 402(a)(2)(A)(i)(v)
  • I-94 annotated AM1, AM2, AM3, AM6, AM7, AM8
  • I-551 annotated AM1, AM2, AM3, AM6, AM7, AM8, A11, A12, A16, A17, A31-33, A36-38. Refer to Afghan and Iraqi Special Immigrants.
Asylee INA § 208, 208(a) X   X   X  
  • I-94 with stamp showing Section 208 or 208(a) of the INA
  • I-94 with VISA 93 (or V-93)
  • I-94 with AS-1, AS-2, or AS-3
  • I-688B annotated with 274a.12(a)(5)
  • I-766 annotated “A5”
  • Grant letter from USCIS or Asylum Office
  • Order of an immigration judge granting asylum under INA Section 208
Refer to Asylees.
Battered Noncitizen   Xb   X**   Xb
  • I-797 or I-797C indicating approval or pending status of an I-130 or I-360
  • I-551 annotated with any of the following codes: AR1, AR6, IB1-IB3, IB6-IB8, B11, BI2, B16, B17, B20-B29, B31-B33, B36-B38, BX1-BX3, BX6-BX8, C20-C29, CF1, CF2, CR1, CR2, CR6, CR7, CX1-CX3,
  • CX6-CX8, F20-F29, FX1-FX3, FX6-FX8, IF1, IF2, IR1-IR4, IR6-IR9, IW1,
  • IW2, IW6, IW7, MR6, MR7, P21-P23, P26-P28 will indicate battery
  • I-551 annotated Z13 requires Secondary SAVE to verify battery
  • Foreign passport with a code listed above
  • I-94 with a code listed above
**Refer to Battered Noncitizens.
Children under 18 years of Age - Any Qualified Noncitizen Status N/A - CalFresh ONLY regulation X  
  • Proof of Qualified Noncitizen Status
  • Proof of Age.
Conditional Entrants INA § 203(a)(7)   Xb   Xc   Xb
  • I-94 “Paroled as a refugee”, or “Paroled as an asylee
  • I-94 stamped showing admission under section 203(a)(7) of the INA
  • I-766 annotated A3
Refer to California Food Assistance Program (CFAP).
Cross Border Indians (Jay Treaty) * * * * X  
  • USCIS documentation of Indian Tribe
  • Membership card, or
  • Other tribal document
*Refer to “Cross Border American Indian Tribes,” page 8-21 and “Jay Treaty Indians,” page 8-34.
Cuban/Haitian INA § 501(e) X   X   X  
  • I-551 with code CU6, CU7, OR CH6
  • Unexpired temporary I-551 stamp in foreign passport or on I-94 with INA code CU6 or CU7
Refer to Cuban/Haitians.
Disabled or Blind by SSI Standards - Any Qualified Noncitizen Status N/A - CalFresh ONLY regulation X  
  • Proof of Qualified Noncitizen Status
  • Proof of Disability or blindness which meets SSI/SSP criterion.
Hmong/Highland Laotian Xa   Xa   X**  
  • I-94
  • I-151 annotated RE1, RE2, RE3, RE6, RE7, RE8, R86, IC6, and IC7
  • I-551 annotated RE1, RE2, RE3, RE6, RE7, RE8, R86, IC6, and IC7
**Refer to Hmong or Highland Laotian Tribal Members.
LPR with 40 Work Quarters X   X   X  
  • I-551
  • Unexpired Temporary I-551 stamp in a foreign passport
Refer to 40 Quarters.
LPR without 40 Work Quarters   Xb   Xc   Xb
  • I-551
  • Unexpired Temporary I-551 stamp in a foreign passport
Refer to 40 Quarters.
Parolee for 1 year or more INA § 212(d)(5)   Xb   Xc   Xb
  • I-94 “Paroled as a Refugee, Humanitarian Parolee or Public Interest Parolee”
  • I-94 annotated with Section 207 of the INA
  • I-688B annotated with 274a.12(a)(3)
  • I-766 annotated “A3”
  • I-571
Refer to “Parolees,” page 8-39.
PRUCOLs not listed above   X   Xc Not Eligible
  • I-688B annotated: 274a.12(c)11; 274a.12(c)12 or 274a.12(c)13
  • Other USCIS documentation declaring their status
Refer to PRUCOL.
Refugee INA § 207 X   X   X  
  • I-94 annotated with Section 207 of the INA
  • I-688B annotated with 274a.12(a)(3)
  • I-766 annotated “A3”
  • I-571
Refer to Refugees.
Special Immigrant Visa   X   X X   An Iraqi or Afghan passport with an Immigrant Visa (IV) stamp noting that the individual has been admitted under any one of the following categories: SI1 or SQ1 (Principal Applicant);
  • SI2 or SQ2 (Spouse of SI1 or SQ1);
  • SI3 or SQ3 (Unmarried child, under the age of 21, of SI1 or SQ1);
  • SI6 or SQ6 (Principal Adjusting Status in the U.S.);
  • ISI7 or SQ7 (Spouse of SI6 or SQ6);
  • SI9 or SQ9 (Unmarried child, under the age of 21, of SI6 or SQ6); and
  • A DHS stamp or notation on passport or I-94 showing date of entry.
Trafficking Victim   X   X X   The individual gives a sworn statement that s/he is a victim of human trafficking and has filed for or is preparing to file for a T Visa and at least one of the following:
  • Police, government agency or court records or files;
  • Documentation from a social services, trafficking or domestic violence pro- gram, or legal clinical, medical or other professional from who the applicant or recipient has sought assistance in dealing with the crime;
  • A statement from any other individual with knowledge of the circumstances that provided the basis for the claim;
  • Physical evidence;
  • Copy of a completed T Visa application; or
  • Written notice from USCIS of receipt of the T Visa application
  
Victims of Domestic Violence and other serious crimes   X   X X   Applicants must provide documentation that they have filed an application for or have been approved for a U Visa to be eligible for TCVAP benefits. A sworn statement is NOT acceptable. Applicants must also provide one of the following:
  • The applicant’s U Visa, or
  • A confirmation receipt or letter from USCIS verifying an application for U Visa has been filed, or
  • A fee receipt (Form I-797) for an employment authorization request based on an application for a U Visa, or
  • A copy of an application for a U Visa (Form I-918), or
  • An EAD issued under Category “A19” or “A20” for an approved U Visa applicant.
  
Veterans - With Qualified Noncitizen Status X   X   X  
  • Discharge certificate - DD Form 214, or equivalent
  • DD Form 214 that shows 2 or more years of service
  • DD Form 214 with original enlistment date prior to 9/7/80
  • CA 5 with adequate documentation
Refer to Veteran Status. 		 
Withholding of Deportation/ Cancellation of Removal INA § 243(h), 241(b)(3) X   X   X  
  • I-688B annotated with 274.12(a)(10)
  • I-766 annotated “A10”
  • Order from immigration judge showing deportation withheld or cancellation of removal under 243(h) or 241(b)(3)
Refer to Withholding of Deportation/Cancellation of Removal. 		 

a. Ineligible unless a Refugee under INA 207

b. 1st five years from date of status, then federally eligible

c. 1st five years from date of status, then federal, the state monitors the funding

Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)

Immigration Status Fed Documentation may include but is not limited to:
Amerasian INA § 402(a)(2) (A)(i)(v) X
  • I-94 annotated under 584 of Foreign Operations, Export Financing & Related Program Appropriations Act
  • I-94 annotated AM1, AM2, or AM3
  • I-551 annotated AM6, AM7, AM8, A11, A12, A16, A17, A31-33, A36-38
Refer to Afghan and Iraqi Special Immigrants.
Asylee INA § 208, 208(a) X
  • I-94 with stamp showing Section 208 or 208(a) of the INA
  • I-94 with VISA 93 (or V-93)
  • I-94 with AS-1, AS-2, or AS-3
  • I-688B annotated with 274a.12(a)(5)
  • I-766 annotated “A5”
  • Grant letter from USCIS or Asylum Office
  • Order of an immigration judge granting asylum under INA Section 208
Refer to Asylees.
Conditional Entrant INA § 203(a)(7) X
  • I-94 “Paroled as a refugee”, or “Paroled as an asylee
  • I-94 stamped showing admission under section 203(a)(7) of the INA
  • I-766 annotated A3
Refer to California Food Assistance Program (CFAP).
Cuban/Haitian INA § 501(e) X
  • I-551 with code CU6, CU7, OR CH6
  • Unexpired temporary I-551 stamp in foreign passport or on I-94 with code CU6 or CU7
Refer to Cuban/Haitians.
Parolee for 1year or more INA § 212(d)(5) X
  • I-94 annotated with Section 207 of the INA
  • I-688B annotated with 274a.12(a)(3)
  • I-766 annotated “A3”
  • I-571
Refer to Parolees.
Refugee INA § 207 X
  • I-94 annotated with Section 207 of the INA
  • I-688B annotated with 274a.12(a)(3)
  • I-766 annotated “A3”
  • I-571
Refer to Refugees.
Special Immigrant Visa X An Iraqi or Afghan passport with an Immigrant Visa (IV) stamp noting that the individual has been admitted under any one of the following categories:
  • SI1 or SQ1 (Principal Applicant);
  • SI2 or SQ2 (Spouse of SI1 or SQ1);
  • SI3 or SQ3 (Unmarried child, under the age of 21, of SI1 or SQ1);
  • SI6 or SQ6 (Principal Adjusting Status in the U.S.);
  • ISI7 or SQ7 (Spouse of SI6 or SQ6);
  • SI9 or SQ9 (Unmarried child, under the age of 21, of SI6 or SQ6); and
  • A DHS stamp or notation on passport or I-94 showing date of entry
Trafficking Victim X The individual gives a sworn statement that s/he is a victim of human trafficking and has filed for or is preparing to file for a T Visa and at least one of the following:
  • Police, government agency or court records or files;
  • Documentation from a social services, trafficking or domestic violence program, or legal clinical, medical or other professional from who the applicant or recipient has sought assistance in dealing with the crime;
  • A statement from any other individual with knowledge of the circumstances that provided the basis for the claim;
  • Physical evidence;
  • Copy of a completed T Visa application; or
  • Written notice from USCIS of receipt of the T Visa application
Victims of Domestic Violence and other serious crimes   Applicants must provide documentation that they have filed an application for or have been approved for a U Visa to be eligible for TCVAP benefits. A sworn statement is NOT acceptable. Applicants must also provide one of the following:
  • The applicant’s U Visa, or
  • A confirmation receipt or letter from USCIS verifying an application for U Visa has been filed, or
  • A fee receipt (Form I-797) for an employment authorization request based on an application for a U Visa, or
  • A copy of an application for a U Visa (Form I-918), or
  • An EAD issued under Category “A19” or “A20” for an approved U Visa applicant.
This is state-only funded, unless, the person applies for LPR status or a T Visa.
Withholding of Deportation/ Cancellation of Removal INA § 243(h), 241(b)(3) X
  • I-688B annotated with 274.12(a)(10)
  • I-766 annotated “A10”
  • Order from immigration judge showing deportation withheld or cancellation of removal under 243(h) or 241(b)(3)
Refer to Withholding of Deportation/Cancellation of Removal.

Related Topics

Immigration Overview

Immigration Documentation, Verification, and Services