The Victim Assistance Program offers free, comprehensive services to victims of all types of crimes regardless of age, background and/or immigration status.
Victim advocates can assist victims even if a suspect is not identified or if criminal charges have not been filed. The program mandates establishment of local comprehensive centers for victim and witness assistance throughout California. In the County of San Diego, this assistance is administered through the District Attorney’s Office.
The program may assist with:
Crisis Intervention
Emergency Assistance
Resource and Referral Assistance
Orientation to the Criminal Justice System
Court Support
Case Status Information
Notification of Family and Friends
Employer Notification
Victim Compensation Application Assistance
Restitution Information
Creditor/Employer Intervention
Crime Prevention
Temporary Restraining Order Information
Property Return
VINE
Victims of violent crimes may receive reimbursement for eligible losses from the Victim Compensation Board. The Board is funded by restitution fines that convicted offenders are ordered to pay by the court. In San Diego, claims are administered by the Joint Powers Unit.
Apply for Victim Compensation:
To apply for compensation, fill out an application using the CalVCB Online portal. For questions about existing claims, call (619) 531-3915.
FHCSD does not offer assistance with enrolling in this program.
Losses that are eligible for State Board claims payments include:
Medical and medically-related expenses for a victim, including dental expenses, funeral and burial expenses for deaths by criminal acts up to $7,500, relocation expenses up to $2,000 per household and outpatient mental health treatment or counseling.
For direct victims, income losses up to 5 years after the date of a crime, up to 30-days of income losses for a parent or legal guardian of a minor victim who has been hospitalized or has died as a result of the crime, support losses for legal dependents of a deceased crime victim, home security systems or improvements up to $1,000 if the crime occurred in the victim’s home, crime scene cleanup for up to $1,000 as a result of a crime inside a residence or vehicle.
Expenses not eligible for State Board claims payments:
Lost, damaged or stolen personal property, except medically necessary replacement of items such as eyeglasses, hearing aids and medical equipment
Legal fees
Claims for pain and suffering
Expenses submitted more than three years after the incident
Expenses for applicants or victims who have been convicted of a violent felony and are on parole, probation, incarcerated (PPI), on post-release community supervision, or any person who is required to register as a sex offender may not be granted compensation during that time period
The Victim Compensation Board is a payer of last resort and will only pay crime-related expenses not covered by insurance or other reimbursement sources. Benefits cannot exceed $70,000 for a particular crime. An applicant does not need a lawyer or other representative to receive payments through the Compensation Board.
Learn More:
For more information, visit the California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB).
FHCSD does not offer assistance with enrolling in this program.
