Before payment, relocation benefits for displacement from a dwelling which are to be paid pursuant to Chapter 16 (commencing with Section 7260) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code or the federal "Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970" (42 U.S.C. Sec.4601 et seq.), as amended, are exempt without making a claim. After payment, the benefits are exempt.
§ 704.180.Relocation Benefits For Displacement From Dwelling
Title 9. Enforcement of Judgments · Division 2 · Chapter 4. Exemptions · Article 3. Exempt Property · Enacted 1982 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 704.180 exempts relocation benefits paid to a debtor displaced from a dwelling under California's relocation assistance law or the federal Uniform Relocation Assistance Act, both before and after the benefits are paid, without any claim required.
Full Text of § 704.180
Plain-English Summary
When a government project displaces someone from their home, relocation benefits are meant to help that person land on their feet — not to become fair game for a creditor. This section exempts relocation benefits paid under California's own relocation assistance provisions in the Government Code, or under the federal Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act, without the debtor filing any claim.
The protection covers both stages: before the benefits are paid to the debtor, and after. Like several other benefit exemptions in this article, there's no dollar limit — the entire relocation benefit is protected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are relocation benefits protected if I'm displaced from my home by a government project?
Yes. Section 704.180 exempts relocation benefits paid under California or federal relocation assistance law, both before and after payment, without a claim.
Is there a dollar cap on this exemption?
No. The full relocation benefit is exempt, with no dollar ceiling.
Amendment History
Added by Stats. 1982, Ch. 1364, Sec. 2. Operative July 1, 1983, by Sec. 3 of Ch. 1364.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 28, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: relocation benefits exemption californiadisplacement benefits exempt from creditors