Crime Victims Compensation

Local Crime Victim Reimbursement Program continues to enhance service. The Victim-Witness Assistance Unit, one of the oldest such units in the state, continues to provide crime victims assistance. The advocates of the unit assist victims with the completion of applications for compensation of such losses as medical, dental, counseling, funeral burial, and wage loss resulting from the crime. The unit has averaged over $1,000,000 in reimbursement annually.

Building on an earlier successful Santa Barbara pilot program of localizing claims processing, in 1998 the State Board of Control (SBOC), now the State Victim Compensation and Govertment Claims Board, began working with local programs to further localize and streamline the reimbursement process.

District Attorney Claims Advocates have been able to
recover over $1,000,000 annually for local victims of crime.

Local Claims Specialists have primary responsibility for the review and eligibility determination of claims, a shift from the prior system whereby the State made all final eligibility decisions. Additionally, in 1999 the State Board of Control established a mechanism for immediate payment of victim funeral/burial expenses by providing funds to the County to establish a local, accessible trust account. This has alleviated a family's financial stress often created by the sudden death of a relative, in situations where providers are unwilling to wait for payment of victim's bills until SBOC reimbursement claims are paid. SBOC then works with locals to also provide domestic violence victims with immediate payment of emergency funds for relocation expenses, consistent with passage of Assembly Bill 606. An adult victim of domestic violence can submit an emergency application for relocation expenses to avoid further abuse and intimidation by the perpetrator. Provided the victim meets State eligibility requirements, the Board of Control has authorized the local Victim Witness Assistance Program Claims Specialists to pay up to $2,000 in relocation expenses which may include deposits for rental housing, telephone service and utilities, temporary lodging, food, clothing and other personal expenses. The Victim Witness Assistance Program claims specialists are now able to provide immediate payment of approved Victim's Funeral and Burial expenses and Domestic Violence Relocation expenses directly to the service provider and/or the victim. This is a departure from the previous process, which often entailed delays of up to 6-8 weeks in order to receive victim benefits.

Victims of Crime Compensation

The Victims of Crime Compensation Program, administered by the State Board of Control, was established to provide financial reimbursement to victims of crime who suffer unreimbursed financial losses due to physical/emotional injury as a direct result of a crime. This program is funded by fines and penalties assessed by the courts and deposited in the Restitution Fund.

You May Be Eligible for Compensation If:

• You are injured as a result of a violent crime.
• You depend on the victim for support.
• You pay the medical or burial expenses of a victim who dies as a result of a crime.
• You are a member of the family of a victim who is injured or murdered, and you need counseling as a result of the crime.

Requirements:

• You must file an application within one year of the crime.
• You must report the crime to the police and cooperate with them in the investigation and prosecution of the case.
• Your actions must not have contributed to the crime.

The Santa Barbara Victim's Assistance program has been helping crime victims since 1976. If you need more information on Victim's Rights or how to file a claim with the Victims of Crime Compensation, call your local Victim/Witness Assistance Program Center.

Assistance offered at the following locations: (click on city for map):