Program Directory

California

Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board

P.O. Box 3036
Sacramento, CA 95812-3036
1-800-777-9229
FAX: (916) 491-6420

Web site: www.vcgcb.ca.gov
Application: www.vcgcb.ca.gov/VCapp.htm

Executive Officer: Julie Nauman
Board: Rosario Marin, John Chiang, Michael Ramos

The California program was created in 1965 as the first compensation program in the country.

FUNDING
The program receives about half its state income from penalties assessed on fines; the other half comes from fines ranging from $200 to $10,000 on felonies and $100 to $1,000 on misdemeanors, plus income from fines on traffic offenses, infractions, and civil violations. The program receives an annual VOCA compensation grant.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Law enforcement reporting period: no set limit; crime must be reported within a reasonable period of time so that the investigation is not hindered
Filing period: adults, 1 year; children until age 19
Exceptions: good cause exception to the filing period

PROCEDURES
Staff members in the Sacramento office and the 22 offices located in victim/witness centers throughout the state make determinations on eligibility and payments.

Appeals: Applicants may appeal staff recommendations regarding eligibility or individual payments. Applicants can submit additional informaion for consideration. Appeals are handled by hearing officers in a location convenient to the applicant or by telephone. Upon completion of the hearing, the hearing officer prepares a proposed decision for Board consideration. Applicants may request reconsideration of denied appeals.

BENEFITS
Maximum award: $70,000

Compensable Costs (with limits)

Medical expenses: medical expenses are generally reimbursed at the Medicare rate plus 20% of the billed amount; dental expenses are paid at 75%
Mental health counseling: generally limited to 40 sessions for direct victims; 30 sessions for child derivative (indirect) victims, homicide survivors and primary caretakers of child victims; and 15 sessions for adult indirect victims
Lost wages/support: generally limited to 5 years after crime; however, victims permanently disabled can receive wages up to the $70,000 limit; limit of 30 days lost wages for parents whose children are hospitalized or killed
Funerals: generally up to $7,500
Moving expenses: up to $2,000 allowed as one-time cost when recommended by therapist or police
Crime-scene cleanup: $1,000 for cleanup of homicide that occurs in a residence, plus $1,000 for home security
Rehabilitation: job retraining and home or vehicle modification available for permanently disabled victims
Attorney fees: lesser of 10% of award or $500
Emergency: payment of any eligible expense can be made if the victim has an immediate need and would sustain substantial hardship otherwise




	Program Directory California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board P.O. Box 3036 Sacramento, CA 95812-3036 1-800-777-9229 FAX: (916) 491-6420 Web site: www.vcgcb.ca.gov Application: www.vcgcb.ca.gov/VCapp.htm Executive Officer: Julie Nauman Board: Rosario Marin, John Chiang, Michael Ramos The California program was created in 1965 as the first compensation program in the country. FUNDING The program receives about half its state income from penalties assessed on fines; the other half comes from fines ranging from $200 to $10,000 on felonies and $100 to $1,000 on misdemeanors, plus income from fines on traffic offenses, infractions, and civil violations. The program receives an annual VOCA compensation grant. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Law enforcement reporting period: no set limit; crime must be reported within a reasonable period of time so that the investigation is not hindered Filing period: adults, 1 year; children until age 19 Exceptions: good cause exception to the filing period PROCEDURES Staff members in the Sacramento office and the 22 offices located in victim/witness centers throughout the state make determinations on eligibility and payments. Appeals: Applicants may appeal staff recommendations regarding eligibility or individual payments. Applicants can submit additional informaion for consideration. Appeals are handled by hearing officers in a location convenient to the applicant or by telephone. Upon completion of the hearing, the hearing officer prepares a proposed decision for Board consideration. Applicants may request reconsideration of denied appeals. BENEFITS Maximum award: $70,000 Compensable Costs (with limits) Medical expenses: medical expenses are generally reimbursed at the Medicare rate plus 20% of the billed amount; dental expenses are paid at 75% Mental health counseling: generally limited to 40 sessions for direct victims; 30 sessions for child derivative (indirect) victims, homicide survivors and primary caretakers of child victims; and 15 sessions for adult indirect victims Lost wages/support: generally limited to 5 years after crime; however, victims permanently disabled can receive wages up to the $70,000 limit; limit of 30 days lost wages for parents whose children are hospitalized or killed Funerals: generally up to $7,500 Moving expenses: up to $2,000 allowed as one-time cost when recommended by therapist or police Crime-scene cleanup: $1,000 for cleanup of homicide that occurs in a residence, plus $1,000 for home security Rehabilitation: job retraining and home or vehicle modification available for permanently disabled victims Attorney fees: lesser of 10% of award or $500 Emergency: payment of any eligible expense can be made if the victim has an immediate need and would sustain substantial hardship otherwise