California Victim Compensation

California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB)

Did you know every child in foster care is eligible for assistance from the California Victim Compensation Program (CalVCB) for services? In the past, social workers would file a claim when a child was detained, but this is no longer the case. Every child who enters foster care is a victim of a crime – child abuse, child neglect, domestic violence (witnessing), etc. The CalVCP can provide compensation for therapeutic services ranging from counseling to equestrian therapy.

Minors who suffer emotional injuries from witnessing a violent crime may be eligible for up to $5,000 for mental health counseling through CalVCB. A law that went into effect in 2009 allows the minor witness to be eligible for assistance even if he or she is unrelated to the crime victim. To qualify, the minor witness must have been in close proximity to the crime.

There are limits on how much can be paid for each crime related expense. CalVCB is the payer of last resort; reimbursement and recovery sources must be applied to all expenses first. Examples include medical insurance, disability insurance, employer benefits and civil suites.

For more information, go to: http://victims.ca.gov/victims/ or call 1-800-777-9229.