California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board

Information for Victims of Southern California Arson Wildfires

VCGCB LogoAre you a victim of an arson fire?

The California Victim Compensation Program may be able to help victims who were injured or threatened with physical injury as the result of an arson fire.

Information for Victims of Arson Fires Flier PDF

Family members of a person who was killed or physically injured as a result of an arson fire may also be eligible for help.

You may qualify for help if:

  • You were within the perimeter of a fire caused by arson, and
  • You were injured or threatened with physical injury by the fire

Rebuild your life - Additonal Information from the California Department of Consumer Affairs to help victims recover from disasterThe Victim Compensation Program can help with:

  • Medical expenses
  • Mental health counseling
  • Income loss if you are disabled due to physical injuries from the fire
  • Support loss for family members of someone who died or was physically injured in the fire
  • Funeral and burial costs

The Victim Compensation Program cannot pay for property loss, pain and suffering, or relocation costs. The program also cannot pay for any fire losses that are not the result of a fire caused by arson.

To Apply for Victim Compensation

You can apply for assistance through your county Victim Witness Assistance Center. You do not need to obtain a crime report in order to apply for assistance.

Additional Resources

Primary assistance providers include: American Red Cross; FEMA; California Department of Social Services State Supplemental Grant Program; California Department of Insurance; Local Victim Assistance Centers.

The Victim Compensation Program is a payer of last resort. You may be required to use payments by Red Cross, FEMA, insurance and other assistance as a source of reimbursement. The program cannot reimburse losses for fires with unknown causes. More information is available elsewhere in this website.

Local Victim Assistance Centers

Los Angeles District Attorney
Telephone #: (800) 380-3811
Website address: da.co.la.ca.us/vwap/roster.htm

Riverside County District Attorney
Telephone #: (951) 955-5450
Website address: www.riversideda.com/victim.html

Orange County
Community Service Programs, Inc
Telephone #: (949) 975-0244
Website address: www.cspinc.org

 

San Diego County District Attorney
Telephone #: (619) 531-4041
Website address: www.sdcda.org/helping/index.php

 

San Bernardino County District Attorney
Telephone #: (909) 387-6542
Website address: www.sbcounty.gov/da/

 

Ventura County District Attorney
Telephone #: (805) 654-3622
Website address: da.countyofventura.org

Santa Barbara County District Attorney
Telephone #: (805) 568-2400
Website address: www.countyofsb.org/da/VictimWitness/VWprogram.asp

 

 

10/30/07