Benefits & Services Cash Assistance Veteran's Cash Benefit

California Veterans Cash Benefit (CVCB) Program

Who is it for?

The CVCB program is a State-funded program that was mandated by State law in 2000, with the first benefit checks being issued in 2001. This State program is closely linked to a similar federally-funded program, the Special Veterans Benefit (SVB) program. The CVCB and SVB programs are administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Veterans do not have to file a separate application for the CVCB program. The application for the federal SVB also serves as an application for the CVCB program.

An application can be filed at any of the following places:

  • An SSA office;
  • The SSA Division of the U.S. Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Manila, Philippines; or
  • A U.S. Embassy or consulate abroad.

The CVCB payment is added to the SVB payment, and they are combined into one payment, which is issued by SSA. The amount of the CVCB payment is equal to the State Supplementary Payment (SSP) standard for individuals living independently. The SSP standard is the State-funded portion that is combined with the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment in the SSI/SSP program.

You may be eligible for CVCB if you:

  • Have been eligible for California's SSP in December 1999, and
  • Were a member of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines military forces in the service of the United States during World War II, and
  • Be eligible, for the same period, for the federal Special Veterans Benefit, and
  • Reside in the Republic of the Philippines.

Guiding Authority:

Regulations governing the CVCB program can be found in Manual of Policy and Procedures, Chapter 49-100.

Language Access at CDSS:

You have the right to free and timely oral interpretation, sign language services, and written translations of English-language content.

State and Federal law requires us to provide you with free interpretation services and to translate information for individuals who have limited English proficiency (LEP). This is to make sure you understand your benefits, rights, and responsibilities and can fully participate in our programs.

We must provide effective communication so that individuals who are LEP can use our government services and programs. We prohibit discrimination in the delivery of public services.