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Leaving domestic violence in California: what to do first, deadlines, documents, and which benefits open

A person leaving domestic violence can ask CalVCB for emergency help and relocation, ask CalWORKs to waive program requirements for good cause, keep a confidential address through Safe at Home, and file for a restraining order with no court fee. This page lists the order, the time limits each agency states, and the rule that opens each program. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

What happens when someone leaves domestic violence

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. A domestic violence restraining order costs nothing to file and needs no lawyer (s_courts_dvro_fee). CalVCB covers domestic violence, pays for relocation and home security, and can approve emergency help (s_calvcb_dv_exception, s_calvcb_relocation, s_calvcb_emergency). CalWORKs can waive, for good cause and for as long as necessary, requirements that would make escaping harder (s_lii_42usc602_waive). Safe at Home gives a substitute mailing address so the new address stays private (s_sos_safeathome).

First actions, in order
JSONFirst actions, in order
4 items
6 keys
"order"1
"action""If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Ask the court for a domestic violence restraining order; filing costs nothing and needs no lawyer, and court self-help centers help with the forms for free."
"program_id""B042"
"deadline""UNKNOWN: the court page states no deadline to ask."
"source""s_courts_dvro_fee"
"program_slug""california-legal-aid-eviction-benefits"
6 keys
"order"2
"action""Apply to CalVCB. Domestic violence is a covered crime, the police-cooperation rule has exceptions for it, relocation is a covered expense, and emergency help can be requested on the application."
"program_id""B034"
"deadline""Within seven years of the crime."
"source""s_calvcb_time"
"program_slug""california-calvcb-victim-compensation"
6 keys
"order"3
"action""Apply for CalWORKs, and tell the county about the abuse so it can waive, for good cause, program requirements such as time limits or child support cooperation that would make escaping harder."
"program_id""B021"
"deadline""UNKNOWN: no official page read on 9 October 2026 states a deadline to ask for the waiver."
"source""s_lii_42usc602_waive"
"program_slug""california-calworks"
6 keys
"order"4
"action""If you are not a U.S. citizen and are a victim of human trafficking or another serious crime, ask the county about the Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program, which gives cash, food and medical aid to the same extent as refugees."
"program_id""B033"
"deadline""UNKNOWN: the CDSS page states no deadline."
"source""s_cdss_tcvap"
"program_slug""california-tcvap"

Deadlines that cost money or coverage when missed

Each line is the agency's own rule, with the source id it was read from on 9 October 2026.

ProgramRuleDaysCounted fromSource
B034CalVCB application within seven years of the crime, or seven years after the victim knew or discovered the injury came from the crime; victims 21 or younger have until their 28th birthdaynot stated as a numberthe crime (7 years)s_calvcb_time
B034CalVCB reimbursement must be requested within three years of the service datenot stated as a numberthe date of the service (3 years)s_calvcb_bills
B034An appeal of a CalVCB denial must be filed within 45 days of the date the Board mailed the notice45the date the Board mailed the denial notices_calvcb_appeal
B021CalWORKs waivers for domestic violence last for so long as necessarynot stated as a numberthe good cause determinations_lii_42usc602_waive

Documents to gather

Only documents an official page names are listed.

  • Any bills for medical, counseling or relocation costs, submitted with the CalVCB application when emergency help is requested (B034; s_calvcb_emergency)

Programs this event opens

Official addresses

References (6)
Related pages
References (11)
  1. Domestic violence restraining orders in California — Judicial Branch of California, Self-Help Guide“There is no court fee to file to ask for a domestic violence restraining order, and you do not have to have a lawyer.”
  2. CalVCB frequently asked questions: who is eligible — California Victim Compensation Board“Exceptions may apply for crimes involving domestic violence, human trafficking, or sexual assault.”
  3. CalVCB frequently asked questions: time limits — California Victim Compensation Board“Victims can submit an application within seven years of the crime, or seven years after the victim knew or discovered that an injury or death occurred because of the crime. Victims who are 21 years old or younger have until their 28th birthday to apply.”
  4. CalVCB frequently asked questions: bills — California Victim Compensation Board“Applicants must request reimbursement within three years of the service date.”
  5. CalVCB frequently asked questions: appeals — California Victim Compensation Board“You must file the appeal within 45 days of the date the Board mailed the notice to deny the application or expense.”
  6. CalVCB frequently asked questions: emergency help — California Victim Compensation Board“Note this need on your application in the emergency award section and submit any bills with your application.”
  7. CalVCB: what is covered — California Victim Compensation Board“Home security installation or improvement”
  8. CalVCB: what is covered (relocation) — California Victim Compensation Board“Relocation”
  9. 42 U.S.C. 602(a)(7) Certification that the State will screen for and identify domestic violence — Legal Information Institute (Cornell Law School), text of the United States Code“waive, pursuant to a determination of good cause, other program requirements such as time limits”
  10. Human Trafficking Victims: benefits and services available — California Department of Social Services“benefits and services to noncertified victims of human trafficking and other serious crimes to the same extent as”
  11. Safe at Home — California Secretary of State“Safe at Home offers a substitute mailing address to receive first class, certified, and registered mail for victims of domestic violence”