Access to Benefits

IMPROVING ACCESS TO COMPENSATION FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS

Financial compensation is a crucial part of recovery for survivors of human trafficking, helping to address the economic impact of their exploitation and providing a foundation for rebuilding their lives. Recognizing this, California must increase its outreach efforts and improve the distribution of available resources through the California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB), specifically under AB 629.

AB 629, enacted to support survivors, allows them to seek compensation for income loss as part of their restitution for trafficking-related exploitation. However, many survivors are unaware of these resources or face barriers in accessing them. To address this gap, California needs to bolster awareness, partner with community organizations, and streamline the process to ensure that all eligible survivors can benefit from the financial relief available through CalVCB under AB 629.

SJI RECOMMENDATION TO CALVCB 

SJI has developed a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at helping the California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) increase access to benefits for human trafficking survivors under Assembly Bill 629. This initiative is designed to bridge gaps in awareness and accessibility, ensuring that survivors know about and can easily apply for the financial support available to them for crime-related expenses. By outlining key areas for improvement, our recommendations seek to enhance CalVCB’s outreach and application processes so that more survivors receive the assistance they need to rebuild their lives. 

SJI FACT SHEET 

OVERVIEW OF CALVCB AND AB-629

FULL REPORT

IMPROVING ACCESS TO COMPENSATION FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS

TRAINING VIDEO

APPLICATION MATERIALS 

DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION SLIDES

Under AB 629, human trafficking survivors who were victims of labor trafficking and/or commercial sexual exploitation are eligible to apply for income loss benefits through the California Victim Compensation Board. Eligible applicants must provide documentation that demonstrates they were trafficked and that they experienced income loss directly due to their victimization. Evidence can include police reports, court documents, affidavits, or statements from case workers confirming the survivor’s circumstances.

A Completed Application Will Need to Include: 

    1. Describe the dates in which the dates of the trafficking commenced and ended;
    2. Approximate hours worked per week; and 
    3. Whether reimbursement was or will be received from any other sources.   

We have included template materials to help facilitate the process of applying to CalVCB and meet the requirements under AB 629. To make it easier, we’ve highlighted the specific information you need to fill out, ensuring a smoother and more efficient application process.

SUPPORT FOR SURVIVORS

Get Help Applying for Compensation:

Survivors of human trafficking can contact organizations funded by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) under the Human Trafficking Victim Assistance (HV) Program for help applying for income loss benefits through CalVCB. These organizations are trained to support survivors and can guide them through the application process. They may also be able to provide the case worker declaration required for their application. 

ORGANIZATIONS BY COUNTY

  Organization County  Phone  Email
1 Restorative Pathways (Formerly Ruby’s Place) Alameda (888) 339-7233 info@rubysplace.org
2 Motivating, Inspiring, Supporting & Serving Sexually Exploited Youth (MISSEY) Alameda (510) 380-8621 directservices@misssey.org
3 Community Violence Solutions Contra Costa (800) 670-7273 Text: 20121
4 Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission Fresno (559) 527-5869 cvaht@fresnoeoc.org
5 The Open Door Network (Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault) Kern (800) 273-7713 Visit Website
6 1736 Family Crisis Center Los Angeles  (213) 745-6434 Visit Website
7 Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST) Los Angeles  (888) 539-2373 info@castla.org
8 Covenant House California Los Angeles  (323) 461-3131 info@covenanthousecalifornia.org
9 Forgotten Children, Inc. Los Angeles  (800) 793-2213 Visit Website
10 Volunteers of America of Los Angeles Los Angeles (213) 389-1500 Visit Website
11 Waymakers  Orange  (949) 250-0488 Visit Website
12 Radiant Futures Orange (877) 531-5522 npereda@radiantfutures.org
13 Alliance for Community Transformations, Inc Merced (209) 722-4357 info@alliance4you.org
14 Stand Up Placer, Inc. Placer (916) 773-7273 htteam@standupplacer.org
15 Reach the Valley Riverside (866) 373-8300 info@reachus.org 
16 Opening Doors, Inc.  Sacramento (916) 504-1118 Visit Website
17 Sacramento Regional Family Justice Center Foundation Sacramento (916) 875-0976 bilyeuj@hopethriveshere.org
18 WEAVE, Inc. Sacramento (916) 920-2952 info@weaveinc.org
19 Wind Youth Services Sacramento (916) 628-1492 Visit Website
20 Family Assistance Program San Bernardino (909) 333-7476 opendoor@familyassist.org
21 North County Lifeline, Inc.  San Diego (760) 842-6526 plintake@nclifeline.org
22 Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach San Francisco (415) 567-6255 Visit Website
23 San Francisco Network Ministries Housing Corporation San Francisco (415) 643-7861 info@sfsafehouse.org
24 University of California, San Francisco  San Francisco (510) 437-0192 safetynet@ucsf.edu
25 Justice at Last, Inc San Mateo (650) 918-0719 info@justiceatlast.org
26 Community Solutions  Santa Clara (877) 363-7238 info@communitysolutions.org
27 Children’s Legacy Center Shasta (530) 768-1880 info@childrenslegacycenter.org
28 Napa Solano SANE‑SART Solano (530) 7691889 helpforvictims@sanesart.org
29 Verity  Sonoma (707) 545-7273 Visit Website
30 Stanislaus Family Justice Center Foundation Stanislaus (209) 525-5130 info@stanislausfamilyjustice.org
31 Interface Children & Family Services Ventura (800) 636-6738 htvictimservices@icfs.org
         

 

WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK

We are seeking your feedback on your experience with the California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) in accessing income loss for human trafficking survivors under AB 629. Your insights as service providers and your experience as survivors is crucial in helping us understand the challenges and successes of navigating this process. By sharing your experience, you can play a vital role in improving access to financial compensation for survivors, helping to refine outreach efforts and enhance support provided under AB 629. Your input will play a key role in making these critical resources more accessible to all who need them.

You can use the links below to complete a survey and provide your feedback on accessing AB 629 through CalVCB. 

 

SERVICE PROVIDERS
HUMAN TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS 
PROVIDER FEEDBACK
SURVIVOR FEEDBACK
   

 

CONTACT US

For More Information:

If you have questions or would like to connect about our policy efforts related to income loss benefits for trafficking survivors, please contact Paloma Bustos, Policy Associate.  She can be reached at: paloma.bustos@lls.edu