Trafficking and Crime Victim Assistance Program (TCVAP)

To be eligible for federally-funded benefits and services, an individual must be certified as a victim of a severe form of human trafficking. The DHHS, Administration for Children & Families (ACF), Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) is the federal agency responsible for certifying trafficking victims.

To receive certification, victims of trafficking must be willing to assist with the investigation and prosecution of traffickers. In addition, they must have completed a bona fide application for a T-Visa or they must have been granted continued presence status by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for the purpose of contributing to the prosecution of the traffickers. Children under 18 years of age who have been subjected to a severe form of trafficking do not need to be certified in order to receive benefits; however, ORR will issue them an eligibility letter declaring them victims of a severe form of trafficking. 

Persons certified by ORR as trafficking victims are eligible to receive federally-funded benefits and services including: Refugee Cash Assistance, California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs), Refugee Medical Assistance, Medi-Cal, Refugee Social Services, SNAP/CalFresh benefits, and other services to assist victims with adjustment and facilitate self-sufficiency. Certified trafficking victims are required to meet each program’s income, resource and other eligibility requirements.