Involuntary Sterilized Individuals are Eligible for a Monetary Compensation Under a New California Program

NASW-CA is committed to supporting social workers and the communities they serve in accessing resources and navigating our complex social service system. We encourage social workers and social services professionals to support clients and consumers in understanding these services and, when eligible, applying for resources. 

California has recently launched a reparations program to compensate survivors of forced sterilization. The California Forced or Involuntary Sterilization Compensation Program, administered by the California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB), will evenly split $4.5 million between eligible individuals. Survivors who were sterilized without their consent under the California eugenics law can apply for compensation starting January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.  

Between 1909 and 1979, California forcibly sterilized thousands of individuals who lived in state-run hospitals, homes, and mental institutions. Although the sterilization law was repealed in 1979, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation continued to involuntarily sterilize people in state-run prisons and correctional facilities. Many of these individuals who were sterilized without their consent were disabled, women, Black, Latinx, LGBTQIA+, and other marginalized demographics.  

Social workers who work closely with formerly incarcerated women, people with disabilities, or survivors of involuntarily sterilization are encouraged to offer support or assistance during this application process.  

Eligibility:

• Surviving individuals who were sterilized without their consent in a California state hospital, home, or mental institution between 1909 and 1979. 
• Surviving individuals who were sterilized without their consent in a California state prison or other correctional facility by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation after 1979. 

How to Apply: 

• Visit https://victims.ca.gov/fiscp/ to download an application form and complete the form electronically or by hand. Once complete, the application can be mailed, emailed, or faxed to CalVCB.  

• If you or your client can’t print a hard copy of the application, contact via Customer Service Unit at 1-800-777-9229, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, or email FISCP@victims.ca.gov.  

Applying is completely confidential. Compensation will not impact a survivor’s Medicaid or Social Security, Food Assistance, or other benefits. Compensation will not be considered income for state tax purposes or for community property, child support, restitution, or a money judgment. 

For additional information on how to complete the application, please visit the Application Instructions.   

Sources: 

• https://dredf.org/california-forced-or-involuntary-sterilization-compensation-program/ 
• https://victims.ca.gov/news-releases/california-launches-program-to-compensate-survivors-of-state-sponsored-sterilization/