Crime Victim Assistance Program Application Forms
Last updated on September 19, 2024
The Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP) provides a range of benefits to assist victims, immediate family members of victims and certain witnesses in coping with the effects of violent crime that occurs in British Columbia, where same or similar benefits are not available from another source. Benefits provided by CVAP aim to help offset financial loss and assist in recovery from injuries.
Application forms
On January 1, 2024, amendments to the legislation and regulation that guide CVAP came into force and expanded the support available through CVAP. Given the changes, CVAP’s application forms have been updated and are now specific to whether a crime occurred before January 1, 2024, or on or after January 1, 2024.
Please be sure to use the correct application form. If the crime occurred over a period of time, please complete the application that corresponds with the date of the last incident.
If you have questions, please contact the Crime Victim Assistance Program at 604-660-3888 or toll-free in B.C. at 1-866-660-3888.
Crime occurred before January 1, 2024
Crime occurred on or after January 1, 2024
Note: Physical copies of application forms are available from CVAP or a local victim service program. To locate a victim service program near you, call VictimLink BC toll-free at 1-800-563-0808.
Application instructions
Please answer all the questions in the application form, unless otherwise indicated. If the application is incomplete or lacks sufficient detail, it may need to be returned for completion or additional follow up may be required. This will delay the processing of the application.
Important information regarding signatures
For CVAP to collect necessary information from third parties (e.g., hospitals, employers, Service Canada), it is best to provide an original signature in the application form. Recognizing the importance of accessibility, CVAP will also accept a digital signature provided through Adobe Acrobat’s “Fill and Sign” feature, however it is important to note that CVAP is unable to guarantee this will be accepted by third parties.
Instructions for providing an original signature
- Save the application form to your computer.
- Close the browser.
- Open the saved application form using the free Adobe Reader program.
- Complete all sections of the application form, unless otherwise indicated.
- Print the application and complete section 7 and section 8 (section 9 is optional), providing your original signature.
Instructions for providing a digital signature
- Save the application form to your computer.
- Close the browser.
- Open the saved application form using the free Adobe Reader program.
- Complete all sections of the application form, unless otherwise indicated.
- Complete section 7 and section 8 (section 9 is optional) providing your signature through Adobe Acrobat’s “Fill and Sign” feature.
- Note: Only a drawn signature or an uploaded image of an original signature are accepted. Typed signatures cannot be accepted. Typing a name in the signature field produces a generic cursive signature that is often not accepted by third parties (e.g., doctors, hospitals, employers, Service Canada). To draw a signature, open the application form in Adobe Reader or Acrobat and go to the “All tools” menu. Select “Fill and Sign” and “Add signature”. When the signature field opens, select the “Draw” option at the top of the field and draw the signature, or select the “Image” option to upload an image of an original signature. Once the signature is drawn or uploaded, select apply and place the signature in the appropriate fields. If Fill & Sign is used to provide a signature, no further changes can be made to the form once it is saved.
Submitting a completed application
You may return the completed application form, and any attachments, by emailing (or scanning and emailing) them to cvap@gov.bc.ca.
You may also fax the documents to 604-660-3880 or return them by mail to:
Crime Victim Assistance Program
PO Box 5550, Stn Terminal
Vancouver, BC V6B 1H1
Delete electronic documents when you are done if you are concerned for your safety and privacy.
Counselling Guidelines
The Crime Victim Assistance Program Counselling Guidelines are for counsellors. They provide information on expectations, reporting requirements, limitations and reimbursement for counselling services. The document includes information regarding the new counselling rates that will apply to services provided after January 1, 2024.
Contact information
The Crime Victim Assistance Program assists victims, immediate family members and some witnesses in coping with the effects of violent crime.
cvap@gov.bc.ca
Related Links
Check our alphabetical list of criminal justice terms along with their definitions.