Free Remote DACA Assistance for Californians
UPDATE ON MARCH 4, 2024: We have funding to provide DACA renewal services to income-eligible individuals for free. We additionally have State funding through May 31, 2024, to cover the $605 fee for DACA renewal applications (the DACA application fee for paper-based applications increased to $605 on April 1, 2024). For clients whose income is too high to qualify for free services, we are charging $275 for our full DACA renewal service. World Relief remains unable to take initial DACA clients due to a federal court decision issued in July 2021. While we will be able to serve income-eligible DACA renewal clients for free, advance parole services are not covered by our grant and will require a fee of $500 for a regular application or $850 for an expedited emergency application.
To get screened for DACA RENEWAL eligibility and free services, click here.
To book a $50 consultation regarding applying for DACA-related advance parole, click here.
Overview
The State of California has provided us with another round of DACA renewal assistance funding, meaning we can prepare and submit applications for free for income-eligible individuals. We only provide these services remotely. Please read the following overview to get a sense of what to expect. Then, if you’re ready to apply, click the relevant link below.
How do I know if I qualify for free services?
Any one of the following possibilities qualifies you for free assistance:
- You are a full-time student
- Your household income is at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (To assess, visit a site like this one that has a table that shows household size and a column showing income levels below 250% of the poverty guidelines. For example, if you are married and have a child, your household size is three and your combined household income would have to be $64,550 or less to have your application fee covered. Do not count partners, parents, siblings, or other relatives as a part of your household unless they are listed as dependents on your tax return.)
If your income is too high to qualify for free services but you still wish to use our services, we charge $275 for the full renewal service.
What to expect
If you are renewing your DACA, you will first complete an online screening form. After we review it and make an eligibility determination, we’ll send you another email with additional instructions and electronic forms to complete online. We will then have a video review appointment where we will go over the draft forms with you. After this, a legal practitioner on staff will complete a final review. You will need to upload your signatures for the final forms.
You’ll need the following skills in order to complete the process with our office:
- Complete and e-sign required documents and upload scans of required documents. If you don’t have a scanner at home, we recommend the app Genius Scan (available for free from the App Store and Google Play store)
- Log into our client portal and fill out questionnaires
- Book and attend an online video review call over Zoom
- Send us scanned copies of your signature that we will include with your submission
If you have any questions about the process or eligibility, please contact Frida Callejas at (916) 707-5806.