programs > victim assistance programs > victim of crime compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

California Victims of Crime Compensation Program

For Orange County Claims Contact
Victim/Witness Assistance Program-Claims Office
PO Box 1994 Santa Ana, CA 92702
(949) 975-0254

The Victims Compensation Program (VCP) is a state agency whose purpose is to aid victims of crime in reimbursing their losses as a result of crime related costs.  The following is adapted information taken directly from the VCP.  For assistance and additional information about filing a claim contact your local Victim/Witness Assistance Center or your Victim Advocate.  A person victimized by crime in or living in Orange County can file a claim through the Orange County Claims Office.

Who is eligible for compensation?

To be eligible for compensation, a person must be a victim of a qualifying crime involving physical injury, threat of physical injury or death. For certain crimes, emotional injury alone is all that needs to be shown. Certain family members or other loved ones who suffer an economic loss resulting from an injury to, or death of, a victim of a crime may also be eligible for compensation.

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements. The victim must:

  • Have been a California resident when the crime occurred, or the crime must have occurred in California.
  • Cooperate reasonably with police and court officials to arrest and prosecute the offender.
  • Cooperate with VCP staff to verify the application.
  • Not have been involved in events leading to the crime or have participated in the crime.
  • File the application within one year of the crime, one year after the direct victim turns 18 years of age, or one year from when the crime could have been discovered, whichever is later. Applications may also be accepted after these filing periods under certain circumstances.

People in the following categories are generally eligible for compensation.

  • A person who is physically injured or threatened with physical injury as a result of a crime or act of terrorism that occurred in the State of California.
  • A California resident or member of the military stationed in California who is a victim of a qualifying crime, wherever it occurs.
  • An eligible family member or other specified persons who were legally dependent on the victim.
  • A parent, sibling, spouse, or child of the victim.
  • The fiancé(e) of the victim at the time of the crime or another family member of the victim who witnessed the crime.
  • A grandparent or grandchild of the victim at the time of the crime, or a person living with the victim at the time of the crime, or who had previously lived with the victim for at least two years in a relationship similar to a parent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, child, or grandchild of the victim.
  • A minor who witnesses a crime of domestic violence or who resides in a home where domestic violence occurs.
  • Anyone who pays or assumes legal liability for a deceased victim's medical, funeral, or burial expenses, or anyone who pays for the costs of crime scene clean-up for a homicide that occurred in a residence.
  • A person who is the primary caretaker of a minor victim when treatment is rendered.

 

Who is not eligible?

  • Persons who commit the crime.
  • Persons who knowingly and willingly participated in or were involved in the events leading to the crime; some exceptions may be raised.
  • Persons who do not cooperate reasonably with a law enforcement agency in the apprehension and conviction of a criminal committing the crime; some exceptions may be considered.

What are examples of crimes that are typically covered?

  • Assault with a deadly weapon
  • Battery (when there is injury or threat of injury)
  • Child abuse
  • Child sexual assault
  • Child endangerment and abandonment
  • Domestic violence
  • Driving under the influence
  • Hit and run
  • Vehicular manslaughter
  • Murder
  • Robbery
  • Sexual assault
  • Stalking
  • Sexual battery
  • Unlawful sexual intercourse (where there is injury or threat of injury) Terrorism
  • Other crimes that result in physical injury or a threat of physical injury to the victim

What types of expenses may be eligible for reimbursement?


The VCP may reimburse the following expenses if they are necessary due to a crime and if there are no other sources of reimbursement available such as health insurance, worker's compensation or other benefits. Caps or limits may apply.

  • Medical and medical-related expenses for the victim, including dental expenses.
  • Outpatient mental health treatment or counseling.
  • Funeral and burial expenses.
  • Wage or income loss up to five years following the date of the crime. If the victim is permanently disabled, wage or income loss may be extended.
  • Support loss for legal dependents of a deceased or disabled victim.
  • Home security installation or improvements up to $1,000 if the crime occurred in the victim's home.
  • In-patient psychiatric hospitalization costs under dire or exceptional circumstances.
  • Relocation expenses up to $2,000 per household.
  • Crime scene cleanup up to $1,000 if a victim dies as a result of a crime in a residence.

What expenses are not eligible for reimbursement?

The VCP cannot reimburse applicants for the following expenses:

  • Personal property losses, except medically necessary replacement of items such as eyeglasses and assistive devices.
  • Expenses related to the prosecution of an alleged perpetrator.
  • Compensation for "pain and suffering."
  • Expenses submitted more than three years after they are incurred may not be eligible for reimbursement unless the victim is liable for the debt at the time the expense is submitted to the VCP or has already paid the expense.

Expenses of a victim or other applicant convicted of a felony may not be paid during the time of his/her parole, probation, or incarceration.