There is still misinformation and limited knowledge within the immigrant community about when they are eligible for benefits. This often creates a barrier for many to access the benefits they may qualify for—especially those who may not seek help and instead give up.
Maria, a client, came to the Catholic Charities office for assistance with her Semi-Annual Report (SAR 7). Her household consists of five family members with varying legal immigration statuses. She, her husband and 21-year-old daughter are sponsored legal permanent residents, while her two minor children are U.S. citizens. After reviewing the SAR 7, the eligibility worker contacted Maria and informed her that her husband and daughter needed to complete the SAR 22 form and provide their sponsor information. She was surprised and confused since she had been receiving CalFresh benefits for years and had never been asked to provide sponsor information or informed that they might not qualify. The eligibility worker explained that there is no time limit for sponsor deeming and that she needed to provide this information. If she did not, the three sponsored individuals would be disqualified.
Frustrated by the lack of guidance and information from the eligibility worker, Maria reached out to Catholic Charities for assistance. The CalFresh application assistor listened to Maria's concerns, explained the rules, and discussed her possible options. This knowledge empowered Maria to take action. She was advised to contact the Social Security Administration to inquire about the number of working quarters her husband had accumulated. After doing so, Maria discovered that her husband had earned the forty quarters required to exempt him from sponsorship. With the help of Catholic Charities, Maria submitted the supporting documentation to the eligibility worker using BenefitsCal. After a thorough review, benefits were granted to the entire household.
This successful resolution brought a sense of accomplishment to both Maria and Catholic Charities, highlighting the crucial role that community-based organizations (CBOs) play in supporting the community during times of need. Having previously used Catholic Charities' services, Maria knew she could rely on them for the guidance and assistance she desperately needed. Her family depended on the CalFresh benefits she was receiving, and losing those benefits would have been detrimental.
Catholic Charities often finds that clients need more thorough guidance when issues arise. Due to the heavy workload at county offices, eligibility workers aren't always able to spend enough time with clients to ensure they fully understand their situations. This can be challenging for many, who may end up losing their benefits. Additionally, this underscores the importance of CBOs maintaining up-to-date information on benefits to effectively assist those in need.
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