How to Apply

The Victim Compensation Program (VCP) can help victims of crimes that occur in California as well as California residents who become victims while visiting other states or outside the country. Additionally, people who suffer a monetary loss because of death or injury to a crime victim may also be eligible for compensation. These “derivative” victims can include:

Spouses or Domestic Partners
Children
Parents
Legal Guardians
Brothers
Sisters
Grandparents
Grandchildren

The following forms and brochures are in Portable Document Format (PDF). To use the PDF files you need Adobe Acrobat version 5 or later (unless otherwise noted). If you don't already have a PDF Reader, you can download Adobe's Acrobat reader here.

The Victim Compensation application is available in English and Spanish. The completed application must be printed and mailed to the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board at P.O. Box 3036, Sacramento, CA. 95812-3036. To access this application, click on the link below.

English: Victim Application for Crime Victim Compensation
Español: Solicitud Para Recibir Compensación por un Delito (Para la Víctima)
Family Member Application (English): Family Member Application

Tips that will help expedite the claim:

Include copies of crime reports, bills and receipts with the application.
Send bills to the insurance company, workers’ compensation carrier, or Medi-Cal right away. The VCP corresponds with such providers as needed to verify benefits and coordinate payment of bills.

If you need assistance with your application or have questions regarding victim compensation, please call our Customer Service Section toll free at 1-800-777-9229.

For additional information on the Victim Compensation Program, please visit our publications page.