California victims of qualifying crimes who suffer physical injury, threat of physical injury or emotional injury as a direct result of a violent crime may qualify for CalVCB assistance.
Each applicant is eligible for a total of up to $70,000 in a wide range of CalVCB expense categories related to the crime such as medical costs, mental health treatment, relocation (including pet relocation/sheltering), burial and ceremonial costs, and complementary and alternative medicine services.
CalVCB can help pay for a wide range of expenses related to the crime such as medical costs, mental health treatment, relocation (including pet relocation), burial and ceremonial costs, and complementary and alternative medicine services. In some situations, CalVCB can provide emergency financial assistance within 30 days. For example, you may qualify if your personal safety is at risk, and you need to relocate.
Below are some examples of crime-related expenses CalVCB can pay, with dollar caps for each category in parentheses. When in doubt, submit the expense, justification, and supporting documentation with your application.
- Crime scene clean up ($1,000)
- Funeral and burial expenses ($7,500)
- Good Samaritan benefits ($10,000)
- Home ($70,000) or vehicle ($30,000) modifications for victims who became disabled
- Income loss ($70,000, note: if applicable, this category should be prioritized)
- Job retraining ($70,000)
- Medical and dental treatment, including in-home care and telehealth ($70,000)
- Medically necessary equipment ($70,000)
- Mental health services ($10,000)
- Relocation (including pet relocation) ($2,000)
- Residential security ($1,000)
- Service dogs ($10,000)
- Support loss ($70,000)
There are certain types of expenses that CalVCB cannot cover. These include:
- Expenses not related to the crime or injuries incurred, including expenses for lost, stolen or damaged property;
- Medically necessary equipment (wheelchairs, medical beds, glasses, crutches, hearing aids etc.);
- Food, clothing, phone, etc. if a victim needed to relocate for immediate safety;
- Expenses paid by insurance or another source of reimbursement or coverage; and
- Expenses incurred while a person is on parole, probation or post-release community supervision for a violent felony, or while incarcerated or required to register as a sex offender. This does not affect an application’s eligibility. It instead stops payment for expenses that are incurred during incarceration, felon or registered sex offender status.
Find a convenient Compensation Benefit Reference Guide of expenses and limits here.
If you have been a victim of violence and are unsure whether your expenses can be compensated, CalVCB recommends you submit the expense, justification, and supporting documentation with your application.
Use these links to access more information about CalVCB
- Call them at: 800.777.9229
- Visit their website at: https://victims.ca.gov/
- See their FAQs: https://victims.ca.gov/for-victims/frequently-asked-questions/
- For advocates: https://victims.ca.gov/for-advocates/
- Video training series for advocates: https://victims.ca.gov/for-advocates/elearning/
- CalVCB forms can be found here: https://victims.ca.gov/forms/
- CalVCB publications can be found here: https://victims.ca.gov/publications/
- Email them at: info@victims.ca.gov
