Were you sterilized in a state mental institution or prison? If so, you may be eligible for compensation under a new California program.
The Forced or Involuntary Sterilization Compensation Program provides approximately $25,000 to survivors who were sterilized at a California state hospital, home, or mental institution between 1909–1979; and survivors who were sterilized without consent while under the custody of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation after 1979.
The California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) administers the Program and will accept applications until December 31, 2023. If you, or someone you know, may have been sterilized in a state-run facility, contact CalVCB to have your records reviewed.
HOW TO APPLY
Call CalVCB toll-free at 1-800-777-9229, email FISCP@victim.ca.gov, or visit the website victims.ca.gov/fiscp
Applications are available in English, Spanish, and other languages.
For support with your application or to ask questions about eligibility, please send an email to info@dredf.org (for survivors from 1909–1979) or comp4reprojustice@gmail.com (for survivors after 1979).
CONFIDENTIALITY & BENEFITS
Applying for compensation is completely confidential. Compensation will not affect your Medicaid, Social Security, Food Assistance, or other federal or state benefits. Compensation will not be considered income for state tax purposes or for community property, child support, restitution or a money judgment.
BACKGROUND
Between 1909 and 1979, California sterilized at least 20,000 people under state law—accounting for one-third of eugenics sterilizations nationwide. People with disabilities, Latinas, women, and poor people were disproportionately targeted for sterilization. Although the state repealed its eugenics law in 1979, reproductive violence continued in state prisons and other settings well into the 2010s.
An overwhelming number of eligible survivors sterilized under California’s eugenics laws and while incarcerated were never notified of the procedure that robbed them of the ability to decide if and when to start or grow their biological families.
California is the third state in the nation to provide monetary compensation to survivors who were sterilized while under state eugenics laws and the first state to both provide notification of coerced sterilization and reparations to survivors who were sterilized while incarcerated.
To learn more about the Program, and find resources to spread the word, visit DREDF’s webpage.