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. For many survivors, compensation is not just financial; it is a recognition of harm and a pathway toward stability. Yet despite its importance, far too few survivors are successfully accessing these funds.

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. Survivors, particularly those from marginalized or immigrant communities, often face language barriers, lack of legal support, and fear around engaging with government systems. Without targeted efforts to address these systemic obstacles, critical resources will continue to go unused — and survivors will be left to shoulder the financial burden of their exploitation alone.

AB 629, enacted to support survivors, allows them to seek compensation for income loss as part of their restitution for trafficking-related exploitation. This includes survivors of both labor trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. However, many survivors are unaware of these resources or encounter barriers such as complex application requirements, insufficient guidance, and uncertainty around documentation.

To address this gap, California needs to bolster awareness, partner with community organizations, and streamline the process.  Clearer communication, culturally responsive outreach, and trauma-informed intake procedures are essential to ensuring that all eligible survivors can benefit from the financial relief available through CalVCB under AB 629.

Recommendation to CalVCB

Improving the Application Process for Survivors

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. 

Fact Sheet: Overview of CalVCB and AB 629

Read Full Report

How to Apply for Compensation

Training Video & Application Materials

Explore tools and resources to learn how to apply or how to support someone in applying for income loss compensation under AB 629. These materials include step by step guides, templates, and helpful planning tools. Our goal is to help survivors and their advocates navigate the process with confidence and clarity.

View Application Guide

We Want Your Feedback

Help Strengthen the System for Survivors

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. 

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