CalVCB outlines eligibility, benefits and application rules for sexual-assault victims

The California Victim Compensation Board told victim advocates during an April webinar that sexual-assault victims and certain family members may apply for financial help, that the program’s maximum award per application is $70,000, and that some benefits — including relocation and residential-security payments — have specific limits and documentation requirements.

The webinar, led by Kimberly Keyes of the California Victim Compensation Board and featuring Deputy Executive Officer Jennifer Rocco and longtime CalVCB analyst Marguerite Green, walked advocates through eligibility rules, acceptable crime documentation, covered benefits and how to apply and appeal. The board also flagged recent activity including approval of new Trauma Recovery Center grants that will begin this July.

CalVCB’s payment role and scope: The board described itself as a payer of last resort that reimburses victims for medical, counseling, relocation, residential security, income-loss and other costs related to qualifying crimes, including sexual assault. Marguerite Green, who has worked at CalVCB since 2007, said the program paid out “over 1,900,000 in compensation to sexual-assault victims” and approved 2,715 sexual-assault applications in the most recent fiscal year. The program’s maximum award is $70,000 per application; not all benefits sum to that cap.

Eligibility and deadlines: Presenters said eligible applicants include direct victims (those who sustained injury or threats of injury) and derivative victims such as immediate family members or witnesses in some circumstances. Applicants must submit their CalVCB application within seven years of the incident; victims who were minors at the time of the crime have until their 20th birthday to apply. CalVCB staff said people do not have to be U.S. citizens to apply, and non-California residents who were victimized in California may apply to CalVCB. Green said if the crime occurred outside California and the applicant is a California resident, the claimant generally should apply to the other jurisdiction’s program first and, if that program is exhausted or denies the claim, then apply to CalVCB.

Acceptable documentation and exceptions: CalVCB prefers crime reports but presenters emphasized that victims are not required to file a police report to qualify. Acceptable alternatives include forensic exam records, medical or mental-health records, campus Title IX reports, restraining orders or sworn affidavits from credible witnesses. Green said these alternatives are used “because of fear” in many domestic-violence and sexual-assault cases; she warned advocates to submit any available records rather than assume an application will be denied.

Covered benefits and limits: The webinar listed covered benefits: medical and dental care, counseling, relocation, residential security, funeral/burial costs, income loss and crime-scene cleanup. Notable limits and rules explained by CalVCB staff: - Maximum benefit per application: $70,000. - Relocation: CalVCB covers up to $3,418 for moving-related costs including a first month’s rent and security deposit; staff said the program pays the move-in costs (rent deposit, pet deposit) but requires that CalVCB be named recipient of the security deposit so the deposit is returned to CalVCB at lease termination. Presenters said CalVCB will not pay outstanding bills at a previous address — only new-connection fees and initial move-in costs. - Residential security: Up to $1,000 for alarms, cameras, locks, bars on windows, security doors and associated installation and monitoring costs. - Income loss: Eligible direct victims may receive income-loss payments for up to five years (or longer if permanently disabled), subject to the $70,000 cap. Adult derivative victims generally are eligible for income-loss benefits only when caring for a hospitalized minor or when a qualifying death occurs.

Reimbursements and other funding sources: Presenters said CalVCB is a payer of last resort and will offset other sources of payment (life insurance, civil awards, vehicle insurance) before issuing payment. They stated that workers’ compensation is treated as payment in full and CalVCB cannot supplement workers’ compensation benefits.

Application, appeals and access: CalVCB accepts online and paper applications; advocates may serve as authorized representatives and can upload documents through the applicant portal. Applications and supporting documentation are available in about 18 languages, and interpretation services are provided by CalVCB customer service, the presenters said. If CalVCB requests documentation and an applicant fails to supply it, the application or a bill may be denied; an applicant has 45 days to file an appeal after a denial notice. Green recommended submitting a late application with a “good cause” reason (for example, preparing to testify or a parole hearing) rather than assuming a late filing is ineligible.

Grants and partnerships: The board said it funds 24 Trauma Recovery Centers through two-year grants that follow a University of California San Francisco model; CalVCB reported the board recently approved the newest round of those grants to begin in July. Speakers also noted coordination across state agencies: Cal OES funds 84 sexual-assault crisis centers statewide, and the Secretary of State’s Safe at Home program provides substitute mailing addresses to protect victims’ privacy. CalVCB said Linda Gledhill, the agency’s executive officer, launched a Victim Services State Agency Coordination Council in January 2020 to centralize resources and reduce barriers to services.

Outreach and resources: CalVCB encouraged advocates to use its advocate resources page (victims.ca.gov/foradvocates), sign up for its quarterly newsletter Connecting with CalVCB, and use social-media toolkits and periodic donation drives; the current denim-drive benefits Empower Yolo. For program questions and materials the board directed advocates to publicaffairs@victims.ca.gov and info@victims.ca.gov.

The board emphasized that advocates should submit all available documentation rather than assume denial, and reminded attendees that staff can review late-application requests for “good cause.”