If a violent crime happens in your home or car, the California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) can reimburse up to $1,709 for crime scene cleanup. Here’s how it works.
| Rule | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Cleanup cap: $1,709 | Raised from $1,000 for applications received on or after July 1, 2022 |
| Home or vehicle only | The crime must have happened in a residence or vehicle |
| CDPH-registered company required | CalVCB only pays practitioners registered with the California Department of Public Health |
| Biohazard only | Pays to remove blood and biological material, not to replace damaged property |
| Payer of last resort | Insurance has to be tried first; CalVCB covers what’s left |
| Three-year bill deadline | Bills must reach CalVCB within three years of the service date |
| Overall cap: $70,000 | Cleanup counts toward the total available for all crime-related expenses |
Who can be reimbursed
The person who paid for the cleanup, or who agreed to pay it, can be reimbursed. That’s often a family member, not the victim.
How to apply
- File a Cal VCB application online or through your county’s Victim Witness office
- Have the police report number ready. The crime generally needs to be reported to law enforcement
- Hire a CDPH-registered cleanup company and keep the itemized invoice
- Submit the invoice and any insurance explanation of benefits
Two things families don’t expect
- GoFundMe money is not a “reimbursement source,” but CalVCB won’t pay for anything donations already covered.
- $1709 rarely covers a full job. Insurance usually covers the rest, and we can bill both
Get Help
We’re CDPH registered and handle the CalVCB paperwork with you.
