Compensation Program
The California Victim Compensation Board
The California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCP) provides compensation for victims of violent crimes. CalVCP provides eligible victims with reimbursement for many crime- related offenses. They get their funding from restitution paid by criminal offenders through fines, orders, penalty assessments and federal matching funds. To be eligible for compensation, a person must be a victim of a qualifying crime involving physical injury, threat of physical injury or death, however, for some crimes emotional injury is enough to qualify. Certain family members and loved ones who suffer an economic loss from an injury to, or death of, a victim on a crime may also be eligible for compensation.
Qualifying Crimes
Some examples of qualifying crimes are: domestic violence, child abuse, assault, sexual assault, elder abuse, molestation, homicide, robbery, hate crimes, drunk driving, vehicular manslaughter, human trafficking, stalking and online harassment.
Covered Expenses
Some examples of covered expenses: crime scene clean up, funeral and burial expenses, home or vehicle modifications for victims who became disabled, income loss, medical and dental treatment, mental health services, relocation, and residential security.
Keep in mind:
- Cal VCB is the payer of last resort and the victim must utilize all other available options first (medical insurance, disability insurance, employer benefits and civil suites).
- Personal property losses, including cash, are not eligible for reimbursement.
- The program cannot reimburse applicants for expenses related to the prosecution of an alleged perpetrator or compensate applicants for pain and suffering.