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California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB)

California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB)

Phone number
1-800-777-9229
Category
Money
Health
Legal
Auto tags
Eligibility
California residents (or non-residents victimized in California) who suffered a qualifying violent crime, cooperate with police (exceptions for DV/sexual assault/trafficking), and were not the aggressor.
Auto Summary
CalVCB reimburses Californians hurt by violent crime for medical bills, therapy (up to $10,000), funerals (up to $12,818), lost wages, and relocation (typically up to $3,418) — up to $70,000 total per victim. It pays after insurance/Medi-Cal as the payor of last resort, and you never pay it back. Apply within 7 years; no citizenship required, no lawyer needed; your county Victim Witness Assistance Center will file with you for free. Phone: 1-800-777-9229. Verified 2026-05-30
Value
Up to $70,000 per victim. Examples: $10,000 mental health, $12,818 funeral, $3,418 relocation.
Espanol
Espanol: Junta de Compensación a Víctimas de California (CalVCB)
URL
https://victims.ca.gov/?utm_campaign=calvcb_baseline24&utm_source=amplified&utm_medium=social_eng&utm_term=sanjoaquincounty&utm_content=ba_sec-2&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0BMAABHcGfNPZfQ2_Ssdq_VBnC8zFlQj1Hkm3_towUBkQ9P4W8JS6LIS4IIPuImA_aem_gUYZrtfNQ-Ml4_c4nVPQ4g&sfnsn=mo
Last verified 2026-05-17
The California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) helps people hurt by violent crime pay for bills the crime caused — medical care, therapy, funerals, lost wages, moving costs, and more. It's a state program. You don't have to pay it back.

Who qualifies

You may qualify if all of these are true:
  • You were the victim of a qualifying crime, OR you are a close family member of someone who was killed or hurt (a "derivative victim").
  • You were a California resident when the crime happened, OR the crime happened in California.
  • You cooperated reasonably with police and CalVCB. (Exceptions exist for domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and human trafficking survivors.)
  • You were not involved in causing the crime and were not committing a felony at the time.
Qualifying crimes include: assault, battery, child abuse, domestic violence, DUI crashes, hate crimes, homicide, human trafficking, robbery, sexual assault, stalking, terrorism, and vehicular manslaughter. Some crimes (child abandonment, child abduction, neglect) qualify for emotional-injury claims only. [Source: victims.ca.gov/for-victims/who-is-eligible/ (accessed 2026-05-17)]

How much you can get

The maximum total payout per victim is $70,000. Within that cap, common categories include:
  • Medical and dental: Paid at Medicare rates or up to 75% of the billed amount (80% for prosthetics, hearing aids, glasses, cosmetic surgery).
  • Mental health counseling: Up to $10,000.
  • Funeral and burial: Up to $12,818.
  • Relocation (for safety): Typically up to $3,418.
  • Lost income / wage loss: Up to 5 years; longer if disability is permanent.
  • Human trafficking survivors: Up to $10,000/year for 2 years in wage loss, plus tattoo removal when the tattoo was used as a trafficker's brand. [Source: victims.ca.gov/for-victims/what-is-covered/ (accessed 2026-05-17)]
CalVCB pays after your insurance, Medi-Cal, or other sources. It covers what those don't.

How to apply

  1. Apply online at https://online.victims.ca.gov/ — this is the fastest way.
  1. Or get help from a local Victim Witness Assistance Center. Every California county has one, and they file the application with you for free. Find yours at victims.ca.gov.
  1. Gather what you can, but don't wait to apply if you're missing things — you can add documents later. Useful items: a police report number, medical bills, receipts, pay stubs (for wage loss), and the death certificate (for funeral claims).
You do not need a lawyer. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen. Immigration status is not asked.

Deadlines

You generally have 7 years to file — measured from the date of the crime, from when the injury could have been discovered, or (for child victims) from the victim's 21st birthday, whichever is latest. Late applications can sometimes still be considered with a Late Consideration Form. [Source: victims.ca.gov/for-victims/who-is-eligible/ (accessed 2026-05-17)]

Common pitfalls

  • Waiting to report. You don't have to have pressed charges, but there should be a police report or other official record (medical exam, child welfare report, restraining order).
  • Assuming you don't qualify. Survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault don't need to have cooperated with police to qualify.
  • Missing the bill-submission window. Once your claim is approved, providers and you have time limits to submit bills — keep receipts and submit them promptly.
  • Not asking for help. The local Victim Witness Assistance Center handles the paperwork for you for free.

Where to get help

  • Find your county Victim Witness Center: victims.ca.gov (county locator)
  • CalVCB phone: 1-800-777-9229

Sources