Law garden / California
If you're Jane Doe in California
What California's crime victim compensation law says, in plain words. Each line links to the exact sentence it comes from.
California Victim Compensation Program, run by California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB).
Show the law for this line: CalVCB: How To Get Compensated
CalVCB: How To Get CompensatedCA-S12
The program's own page, saved by Tend.
- $70,000the most you can ask for in totalCalVCB, What Is Covered, Limits: Dollar limits
- 7 yearsto apply, from the date it happenedCal. Gov. Code 13953(a)
- Police reportnot the only record that countsCal. Gov. Code 13956(b)(3)
- $0what a forensic exam should cost youCal. Penal Code 13823.95(a)
What the program can pay for
The most the program can pay for all costs together is $70,000.
Show the law for this line: CalVCB, What Is Covered, Limits: Dollar limits
CalVCB, What Is Covered, Limits: Dollar limitsCA-TOTAL-1
CalVCB can pay a victim at most $70,000 in total.
The most CalVCB can reimburse a victim for is $70,000.
Medical care
Show the law for this line: Cal. Gov. Code 13957(a)(1)
Cal. Gov. Code 13957(a)(1)CA-MEDICAL-1
Medical and medical-related expenses from a licensed medical provider are reimbursable, subject to board rate limits.
Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 13957.2, reimburse the amount of medical or medical-related expenses incurred by the victim for services that were provided by a licensed medical provider
Counseling
- A victim can be reimbursed up to $10,000 for outpatient mental health counseling; the board may approve more in dire or exceptional circumstances.
- Peer counseling from a rape crisis center is paid at no more than $15 per hour, and only for in-person counseling for up to 10 weeks plus one series of support group sessions.
- CalVCB's current Benefit Reference Guide lists mental health treatment for a direct victim as up to 60 sessions and $10,000.
Show the law for this line: Cal. Gov. Code 13957(a)(2)(A)(i)and 2 more
Cal. Gov. Code 13957(a)(2)(A)(i)CA-COUNSEL-1
The following persons may be reimbursed for the expense of their outpatient mental health counseling in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000): (i) A victim.
Cal. Gov. Code 13957.7(d)CA-COUNSEL-2
Payments for peer counseling services provided by a rape crisis center may not exceed fifteen dollars ($15) for each hour of services provided. Those services shall be limited to in-person counseling for a period not to exceed 10 weeks plus one series of facilitated support group counseling sessions.
CalVCB Benefit Reference Guide (Rev. 05/2025), Mental Health TreatmentCA-COUNSEL-3
Up to 60 sessions and $10,000 as detailed below
Travel
Show the law for this line: CalVCB, What Is Covered, Eligible expenses
CalVCB, What Is Covered, Eligible expensesCA-TRANSPORT-1
Round-trip mileage to medical, dental, or mental health appointments is reimbursable.
Round trip mileage costs to medical, dental, or mental health appointments
Lost pay
Show the law for this line: Cal. Gov. Code 13957(a)(3)
Cal. Gov. Code 13957(a)(3)CA-WAGES-1
Lost income caused by the victim's injury can be compensated, subject to the limits in Gov. Code 13957.5.
Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 13957.5, authorize compensation equal to the loss of income or loss of support, or both, that a victim or derivative victim incurs as a direct result of the victim's or derivative victim's injury or the victim's death.
Home security
- Installing or increasing home security is covered up to $1,000.
Show the law for this line: Cal. Gov. Code 13957(a)(5)
Cal. Gov. Code 13957(a)(5)CA-SECURITY-1
Reimburse the expense of installing or increasing residential security, not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).
Moving
- Relocation can be paid up to $3,418 when law enforcement finds it necessary for safety or a mental health provider finds it necessary for emotional well-being.
Show the law for this line: Cal. Gov. Code 13957(a)(7)(A)
Cal. Gov. Code 13957(a)(7)(A)CA-RELOC-1
Authorize a cash payment or reimbursement not to exceed three thousand four hundred and eighteen dollars ($3,418) to a victim for expenses incurred in relocating, if the expenses are determined by law enforcement to be necessary for the personal safety of the victim or by a mental health treatment provider to be necessary for the emotional well-being of the victim.
What it does not pay for
CalVCB does not reimburse personal property losses, except medically necessary items like eyeglasses and hearing aids.
Show the law for this line: CalVCB, What Is Covered, Non-eligible expenses
CalVCB, What Is Covered, Non-eligible expensesCA-EXCL-1
Personal property losses, except for medically necessary items like eyeglasses and hearing aids
CalVCB does not pay compensation for pain and suffering.
Show the law for this line: CalVCB, What Is Covered, Non-eligible expenses
CalVCB, What Is Covered, Non-eligible expensesCA-EXCL-2
Compensation for pain and suffering
A bill generally must be submitted within three years of when the expense was incurred, with exceptions when the victim still owes or already paid it.
Show the law for this line: Cal. Gov. Code 13957.7(a)
Cal. Gov. Code 13957.7(a)CA-EXCL-3
No reimbursement may be made for any expense that is submitted more than three years after it is incurred by the victim or derivative victim.
The forensic exam
You should not get a bill for a sexual assault forensic exam.
Show the law for this line: Cal. Penal Code 13823.95(a)
Cal. Penal Code 13823.95(a)CA-EXAM-1
The costs of a sexual assault medical evidentiary exam may not be charged to the survivor, directly or indirectly.
Costs incurred by a qualified health care professional, hospital, clinic, sexual assault forensic examination team, or other emergency medical facility for a medical evidentiary examination of a victim of a sexual assault, as described in the protocol developed pursuant to Section 13823.5, when the examination is performed pursuant to Sections 13823.5 and 13823.7, shall not be charged directly or indirectly to the victim of the assault.
The exam is a local cost, billed to and paid within 60 days by the local law enforcement agency where the offense happened.
Show the law for this line: Cal. Penal Code 13823.95(c)
Cal. Penal Code 13823.95(c)CA-EXAM-2
The cost of a medical evidentiary examination performed by a qualified health care professional, hospital, or other emergency medical facility for a victim of a sexual assault shall be treated as a local cost and charged to and reimbursed within 60 days by the local law enforcement agency in whose jurisdiction the alleged offense was committed.
Police report
A police report is not the only way to qualify. Other records can count, like a forensic exam or a protective order.
Show the law for this line: Cal. Gov. Code 13956(b)(3)and 2 more
Cal. Gov. Code 13956(b)(3)CA-REPORT-1
A sexual assault claim cannot be denied only because no police report was made; medical records, mental health records, or a sexual assault exam can show the crime happened.
An application for a claim based on a sexual assault shall not be denied solely because a police report was not made by the victim. The board shall adopt guidelines that allow it to consider and approve applications for assistance based on a sexual assault relying upon evidence other than a police report to establish that a sexual assault crime has occurred. Factors evidencing that a sexual assault crime has occurred may include, but are not limited to, medical records documenting injuries consistent with allegations of sexual assault, mental health records, or that the victim received a sexual assault examination.
Cal. Code Regs. tit. 2, 649.49(a)(4)-(5)CA-REPORT-2
Board rules also accept a letter from a sexual assault counselor, licensed therapist, or mental health provider, or a court restraining order, as evidence of a sexual assault.
A letter or other written statement from a sexual assault counselor, as defined in Section 1035.2 of the Evidence Code, licensed therapist, or mental health provider, stating that the victim is seeking services related to the allegation of sexual assault. (5) A restraining order from a court against the perpetrator of the sexual assault.
Cal. Gov. Code 13956(b)(1)CA-REPORT-3
Delaying a report of a sexual assault is not, by itself, a failure to cooperate with law enforcement.
Lack of cooperation shall also not be found solely because a victim of sexual assault, domestic violence, or human trafficking delayed reporting the qualifying crime.
A sexual assault claim cannot be denied only because no police report was made; medical records, mental health records, or a sexual assault exam can show the crime happened.
Show the law for this line: Cal. Gov. Code 13956(b)(3)
Cal. Gov. Code 13956(b)(3)CA-REPORT-1
An application for a claim based on a sexual assault shall not be denied solely because a police report was not made by the victim. The board shall adopt guidelines that allow it to consider and approve applications for assistance based on a sexual assault relying upon evidence other than a police report to establish that a sexual assault crime has occurred. Factors evidencing that a sexual assault crime has occurred may include, but are not limited to, medical records documenting injuries consistent with allegations of sexual assault, mental health records, or that the victim received a sexual assault examination.
Board rules also accept a letter from a sexual assault counselor, licensed therapist, or mental health provider, or a court restraining order, as evidence of a sexual assault.
Show the law for this line: Cal. Code Regs. tit. 2, 649.49(a)(4)-(5)
Cal. Code Regs. tit. 2, 649.49(a)(4)-(5)CA-REPORT-2
A letter or other written statement from a sexual assault counselor, as defined in Section 1035.2 of the Evidence Code, licensed therapist, or mental health provider, stating that the victim is seeking services related to the allegation of sexual assault. (5) A restraining order from a court against the perpetrator of the sexual assault.
Delaying a report of a sexual assault is not, by itself, a failure to cooperate with law enforcement.
Show the law for this line: Cal. Gov. Code 13956(b)(1)
Cal. Gov. Code 13956(b)(1)CA-REPORT-3
Lack of cooperation shall also not be found solely because a victim of sexual assault, domestic violence, or human trafficking delayed reporting the qualifying crime.
Deadline to apply
Apply within 7 years of the date it happened.
Show the law for this line: Cal. Gov. Code 13953(a)
Cal. Gov. Code 13953(a)CA-DEADLINE-1
Apply within 7 years of the crime, 7 years after turning 21, or 7 years from when the injury from the crime was or could have been discovered, whichever is later.
An application for compensation shall be filed within seven years of the date of the crime, seven years after the victim attains 21 years of age, or seven years of the time the victim or derivative victim knew or in the exercise of ordinary diligence could have discovered that an injury or death had been sustained as a direct result of crime, whichever is later.
Keeping your name and address private
Safe at Home, run by the California Secretary of State, gives survivors of sexual assault and other listed crimes a substitute mailing address that state, county, and city agencies accept in place of a home address.
Show the law for this line: Secretary of State, Safe at Home page, 'What is the Safe at Home program?'
Secretary of State, Safe at Home page, 'What is the Safe at Home program?'CA-ACP-1
Safe at Home offers a substitute mailing address to receive first class, certified, and registered mail for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, child abduction, and elder or dependent adult abuse.
CalVCB says the information in a claim, including medical information, is strictly confidential and is shared only with the applicant's written permission or when the law requires it.
Show the law for this line: CalVCB Confidentiality page, 'Your claim is confidential'
CalVCB Confidentiality page, 'Your claim is confidential'CA-RECORDS-1
The information you share with CalVCB is strictly confidential.
How to apply
Online https://online.victims.ca.gov/
Show the law for this line: CalVCB How To Get Compensated, Steps to apply, Step 2
CalVCB How To Get Compensated, Steps to apply, Step 2CA-SUBMIT-ONLINE
Apply online by creating a CalVCB Online account and starting a new application in English or Spanish.
To apply online: Create a CalVCB Online account or login Start a new application (in English or Spanish)
Mail California Victim Compensation Board PO Box 3036, Sacramento, CA 95812-3036
Show the law for this line: Form VCGCB-VCP-005 (Rev. 10/2017), page 6, after Section 13a
Form VCGCB-VCP-005 (Rev. 10/2017), page 6, after Section 13aCA-SUBMIT-MAIL
Print, sign, and mail the completed paper application to CalVCB in Sacramento.
Mail completed application to: For more information call: California Victim Compensation Board PO Box 3036, Sacramento, CA 95812-3036
In person your local Victim Witness Assistance Center
Show the law for this line: Form VCGCB-VCP-005 (Rev. 10/2017), page 6, after Section 13a
Form VCGCB-VCP-005 (Rev. 10/2017), page 6, after Section 13aCA-SUBMIT-INPERSON
Instead of mailing it, the signed paper application can be delivered to a local Victim Witness Assistance Center.
or deliver to your local Victim Witness Assistance Center
Phone 800-777-9229
Show the law for this line: CalVCB: How To Get Compensated
CalVCB: How To Get CompensatedCA-S12
The program's own page, saved by Tend.
If you need money soon
An emergency award is available when waiting for a final decision would cause substantial hardship.
Show the law for this line: Cal. Gov. Code 13952.5(a)
Cal. Gov. Code 13952.5(a)CA-EMERGENCY-1
An emergency award shall be available to a person eligible for compensation pursuant to this chapter if the board determines that such an award is necessary to avoid or mitigate substantial hardship that may result from delaying compensation until complete and final consideration of an application.
Good to know before you apply
Victims must have been California residents at the time of the crime, or non-residents victimized in California.
Show the law for this line: CalVCB, Who Is Eligible, Eligibility criteria
CalVCB, Who Is Eligible, Eligibility criteriaCA-RESIDENCY-1
A California resident at the time of the crime, or A non-resident victimized in California.
CalVCB pays last, only for expenses not reimbursed by insurance or any other source.
Show the law for this line: CalVCB, What Is Covered, Payor of last resort
CalVCB, What Is Covered, Payor of last resortCA-COLLATERAL-1
CalVCB is a payor of last resort. This means CalVCB pays only for expenses that aren't reimbursed by any other source.
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If you're Jane Doe in California: you can ask for up to $70,000, and you should never get a bill for a forensic exam.
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