Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program in Santa Clara County

A directory listing, not an eligibility decision.

UniHealth can identify a possible match, but the responsible program makes the final decision.

What to know

Why it may fit: Your circumstances can be checked against the program’s published guidelines.
What to do next: State cash aid, food aid and Medi-Cal for noncitizen crime survivors. This includes survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence or other serious crimes. You apply with the regular cash aid application. There is no separate form.
Who runs it: County of Santa Clara

What the program may consider

You meet the proof rules for victims of trafficking, domestic violence or serious crime
Applicable cash-aid income and resource rules
Protected County review without public disclosure of status details

How to get it

State cash aid, food aid and Medi-Cal for noncitizen crime survivors. This includes survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence or other serious crimes. You apply with the regular cash aid application. There is no separate form.

How to apply

California's one application for Medi-Cal, CalFresh and cash aid

Online it is BenefitsCal. On paper it is the SAWS 2 PLUS. One application can ask for several programs at once.

The same application can also ask for CalFresh Food, CalWORKs, Extra Help with Medicare drug costs, General Assistance, Aged, Blind and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal and 11 more.

OnlineBenefitsCal websiteApply online for Medi-Cal, CalFresh and cash aid, any time of day.
PhoneEBT card customer service: 1-877-328-9677Set or change your PIN, or report a lost card.
PhoneSanta Clara County benefits line: (408) 758-3800Apply or ask questions by phone, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
FaxSanta Clara County benefits fax: (408) 295-9248
MailSanta Clara County benefits mail: P.O. Box 11018, San Jose, CA 95103
In personSanta Clara County benefits offices: 1867 Senter Rd, San Jose; 1330 W. Middlefield Rd, Mountain View; 379 Tomkins Ct, Gilroy

Getting help

Someone can apply for you

A victim advocate or immigration lawyer can help you apply. Many survivors give an advocate written permission to act for them. You still sign the application yourself. Only you can make the sworn statement, unless you are not able to.

A helper can fill it out, but you still sign.

What happens after you apply

You apply with the regular cash aid application, online or at the county office. You can apply without a Social Security number or immigration papers. The form asks about T visas, U visas and VAWA cases. An advocate can help you answer. The day you apply starts your 8 months of cash aid.
The county
A county worker interviews you. Ask for a free county interpreter. You do not have to bring your own. Tell the worker you are a survivor asking for this program. If you have a U visa case, the worker may not ask you to describe the crime.
The countyOnly you can do this
You sign a statement that you are a trafficking survivor. You promise it is true, under penalty of perjury. Give other proof if you have it. It is not required. Someone else can sign it for you only if you are not able to.
Only for trafficking survivors
YouA helper can help with this
Trafficking survivors show a step toward a T visa. This can be a filing receipt or a signed plan to file. A letter from police or an advocate also works. Survivors of domestic violence or other crimes must show a U visa, or proof one was filed. The county also checks your income and savings.
The countyA helper can help with this
You get a letter that says yes or no.
The countyWithin 30 days of applying.
Your EBT card comes by mail. An EBT card works like a debit card. Set your PIN to use your cash. You can also get Medi-Cal and food aid.
The stateOnly you can do this
Unless you are excused, you take part in job services. If you are not allowed to work yet, you will not be asked to look for a job. A doctor's note about trauma can excuse you.
The countyOnly you can do this
File for a T visa within 1 year of applying for aid. Show the county your filing receipt. If you do not, aid stops. It can go on if federal law enforcement asked for Continued Presence for you. That is a short-term permission to stay.
Only for trafficking survivors
YouA helper can help with this Within 1 year of the day you applied for aid.

What only you can do

Sign the application yourself.
Take part in the county interview.
If you are a trafficking survivor, sign the sworn statement yourself, unless you are not able to.
Show proof of your T visa or U visa steps.
Get the EBT card and set your PIN.
Take part in job services, unless you are excused.
If you are a trafficking survivor, file for a T visa within 1 year of applying. Show the county the receipt.
Send back the report form the county mails you. Tell the county if your visa is finally denied.

How long it takes: The county must decide within 30 days. Your 8 months of cash count from the day you apply.
You are enrolled when: You are enrolled when you have an approval letter and cash is on your EBT card. Medi-Cal and food aid can start too.
To keep it: Cash lasts up to 8 months in a row from the day you applied. Families with children get aid under CalWORKs rules. Send back the report form the county mails you. Aid ends if your T or U visa is finally denied. Once you are certified as a trafficking survivor, you move to Refugee Cash Assistance. You get a new 8 months. Applied in 2026 and cash stopped after 4 months? Ask the county. When aid ends, ask about General Assistance or CAPI.

Can’t be combined with

Refugee Cash Assistance. You cannot get both. Once the federal government certifies you as a trafficking survivor, you move to Refugee Cash Assistance.

Coming changes

Starting July 1, 2027: Starting July 1, 2027, some adult trafficking survivors are set to move to limited Medi-Cal. It covers mostly emergencies. This is for those with a T visa or a federal letter. TCVAP cash does not change.