Posted in Domestic Violence, Frequently Asked Questions, LGBTQ, PTSD, Trauma, Abuse 1377 0 0

Free therapy for victims of crime

PART ONE:

If you have been a victim of a violent crime it is possible for you to receive free therapy. This isn’t a complete list, but some examples of violent crimes include: domestic violence (emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse), robbery, sexual assault, victim/witness to a shooting, and physical assault.

If approved in California, they will pay for 40 sessions of therapy for you to go to whatever therapist you choose. They pay therapists more than normal insurance companies so your therapist probably won’t hesitate taking this. I am a therapist who regularly works with Victims Compensation and haven’t had many problems with clients getting approved.

PART TWO: How to apply

Applying is FREE.

If you live in Long Beach, you can call Victim’s Compensation at 562-247-2068 or go down to the Long Beach Courthouse at 275 Magnolia Avenue, Long Beach (Room 3195). Having them complete the application with you at the court house is the quickest way to get your application approved. If you live outside of Long Beach, you can call the California number at: 800-777-9229. This process does take several months longer, but you will get services if you qualify. DO NOT give out your information to anyone other than someone at a government agency. Make sure the website says .gov and that the number is a government agency.

PART THREE: What’s covered?

CalVCB 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. If you are an adult and the crime occurred more than a year ago, it might be necessary to get a letter from your therapist to explain why you didn’t get therapy right away (please read blog post about why many victims don’t get help right away). In my experience with Victims Compensation, minors usually have until they are 25-26 years old to apply for a crime that happened in their childhood.

Additionally, people who suffer a monetary loss because of death or injury to a crime victim may also be eligible for compensation. These victims can include:

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

What Expenses Can CalVCB Help Pay?

CalVCB may help pay for expenses related to a crime such as:

Medical and dental treatment
Mental health services (therapy)
Income loss
Funeral and burial expenses
Loss of support for dependents when a victim is killed or disabled because of a crime
Home or vehicle modifications
Home security
Relocation
Crime scene cleanup

CalVCB cannot pay for any expense not related to the crime, any expenses paid by insurance (CALVCB will pay for copays and deductibles you may have though) or another source of reimbursement or coverage, expenses for lost, stolen or damaged property, or damages for pain and suffering.

There are limits on how much can be paid for each loss.

OTHER: