California Victim Compensation Board marks 60 years, reports $2.7 billion paid to victims

The California Victim Compensation Board marked 60 years since its founding in July 1965 and reported that it has approved more than 1,500,000 applications and issued about $2,700,000,000 in compensation to victims, a board official said.

The board’s executive officer said the program began in July 1965 with three staff members and awarded $194,000 over its first four years. Today, the executive officer said, CalVCB has a staff of about 250 employees and a network of local government partners that help administer benefits.

The executive officer said the program’s maximum compensation amount, originally $5,000 in 1965, has increased to $70,000. The officer also noted several program changes over time that expanded who can be served: in 1993, family members of victims were made eligible for compensation; in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, eligibility was extended to family members affected by that event; and the application filing period was lengthened from one year to seven years.

The official said CalVCB also provides compensation for people who were erroneously convicted, grants funding to trauma recovery centers and administered California’s forced or involuntary sterilization compensation program. "As executive officer, I am proud of our legacy and the work that we do," the executive officer said.

The executive officer framed the 60-year milestone as part of an ongoing effort to broaden benefits and simplify access for victims, saying the board continues to work with local, state and federal partners and to implement changes in state law that allow the program to cover additional benefits.

No formal vote or policy action was recorded in the remarks provided; the remarks were a summary of the board’s history, program growth and services.