TCVAP

Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program (TCVAP)
TCVAP provides public social services and health care services to noncitizen human trafficking, and domestic violence and other serious crime victims who do not qualify for CalWORKs (CW), or Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) that are equivalent to those provided to individuals admitted into the United States (U.S.) as refugees.

TCVAP Frequently Asked Questions

Information in this FAQ is not a substitute for State CalWORKs regulations. You may contact your county or go the State of California Department of Services website at: Trafficking and Crime Victim Assistance Program (ca.gov)

TCVAP provides cash assistance, food benefits, employment, and social services to eligible noncitizen victims of a severe form of human trafficking, domestic violence, or other serious crimes. An eligible adult with no children is eligible for up to the maximum 12-month period from the application date for public social services.

You may apply by calling Community Service Agency (CSA) at 1-877-652-0734 for an application to be mailed to you, online at BenefitsCal.com, or in person at any CSA office (Please refer to office locations listed below). For CalWORKs, you must (both parents if a two-parent family) have a face-to-face interview with a case manager before benefits can be approved. If you are disabled and cannot come into the office, we may do a home visit or phone interview.

Apply online at: BenefitsCal

For information on completing the application through BenefitsCal visit the BenefitsCal Youtube Channel for How-To videos.

Both parents, if a two-parent family must have an interview with a case manager before benefits can be approved.

Community Services Agency (CSA)
251 E. Hackett Road
Modesto, CA 95358
1-877-652-0734

South County Community Center
1310 W. Main St
Turlock, CA 95380
1-877-652-0734

There are many factors to consider in determining eligibility. The interview may take up to 1 ½ hours, and the case manager may take up to 30 days to approve or deny an application after conducting an interview and receiving a completed application.

Noncitizen human trafficking, and domestic violence and other serious crime victims must apply for a nonimmigrant T visa or U visa, respectively to qualify for TCVAP benefits and services.

No.

The CalWORKS IRT amount for each Assistance Unit (AU) is the lesser of A or B below.
A. $1,140 (55% of the FPL for a family of three) plus the amount of income last used to calculate the AUs monthly benefits or;
B. The amount of income which may render the AU ineligible for CalFresh, or 130% of the FPL, as shown in the chart below

AU Size Income Reporting Threshold
0 $1,580
1 $1,580
2 $2,137
3 $2,694
4 $3,250
5 $3,807
6 $4,364
7 $4,921
8 $5,478
Each additional member $557
CW AU $10,211
CW AU that has one member who is disabled or age 60 or older $15,317
Assistanve Unit Size MAX AID HIGHER MAP MAX AID REGULAR MAP MBSAC 80% of HIGHER MAP 80% of REGULAR MAP
1 $768 $693 $818 $614 $554
2 $984 $881 $1,343 $787 $705
3 $1,244 $1,112 $1,664 $995 $890
4 $1,494 $1,342 $1,978 $1,195 $1,074
5 $1,753 $1,573 $2,262 $1,402 $1,258
6 $2,012 $1,803 $2,540 $1,610 $1,442
7 $2,267 $2,033 $2,783 $1,814 $1,626
8 $2,529 $2,264 $3,040 $2,023 $1,811
9 $2,783 $2,494 $3,285 $2,226 $1,995
10 $3,045 $2,723 $3,576 $2,436 $2,178
More than 10 $3,045 $2,723 +$34 for each extra person

In addition to documentation required by CW program regulations, for human trafficking victims, once trafficking status is verified and it’s determined the applicant meets the definition of a human trafficking victim, eligibility for TCVAP must be determined by verifying the applicant:

  • Has filed an I-914, Application for T Nonimmigrant Status (T visa) with USCIS and the application has not been denied, or
    - A confirmation receipt or letter from USCIS verifying an application has been filed is acceptable verification
  • Is preparing to file a T visa application, or
    - A copy of the T visa application is acceptable verification
  • Is taking steps to meet the eligibility conditions for federal benefits, or
    - Statement from a community-based organization indicating the individual is working with them to prepare to qualify for federal benefits
  • Is a person from whom “Continued Presence” (CP) in the U.S. has been requested by federal law enforcement while assisting in the investigation or prosecution of traffickers
    - CP, when granted, confers temporary status that delays or prevents deportation while assisting local, state, and federal law enforcement officials

In determining TCVAP eligibility for noncitizen victims of domestic violence and other serious crimes, in addition to documentation required by CW program regulations, verification showing the applicant has filed a U visa application with USCIS is required. Acceptable verification of a U visa application includes:

  • The applicant’s U visa, or
  • A confirmation receipt or letter from USCIS verifying an application has been filed, or
  • A Notice of Action (Form I-797C) approving a U visa, or
  • A Form I-797 which serves as a fee receipt for an employment authorization request based on a U visa application, or
  • A copy of Form I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status, or
  • An EAD issued under Category A19 or A20 for an approved U visa petitioner

Tell your case manager if you have an emergency. Immediate Need payments may be available.

You may choose to have your payments issued either on a plastic debit card or directly to your bank account each month. Most families have their benefits automatically deposited during the first three days of each month on a plastic debit card called an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. Your EBT card lets you access your benefits at Point of Sale (POS) devices in stores or at Automated Teller Machines (ATM). If you select Direct Deposit your monthly benefits are placed directly in your checking or savings account at your own bank each month.

EBT cards do not work for various reasons, such as the card may not be active, or there are no remaining benefits. Call 1-877-328-9677 for assistance.

The following are different ways you can find out information about your benefits:

  • Call our Contact Center 1-877-652-0734 for information or to speak to a Customer Service Representative.
  • Online at BenefitsCal.com
  • In person at any Community Services Agency community offices

Call our Customer Assistance Center at 1-877-652-0734 to speak to a Customer Service Representative.