Disaster Relief
> State Crime Victims Compensation
Program Description:
State Crime Victims Compensation programs reimburse victims for crime-related expenses such as medical costs, mental health counseling, funeral and burial costs and lost wages or loss of support. All states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico have established compensation programs for crime victims with Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding from the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). Although each state compensation program is administered independently, most programs have similar eligibility requirements and offer comparable benefits. Maximum awards generally range from $10,000 to $25,000, though a number of states have higher or lower maximums.
General Program Requirements:
Compensation is paid only when other financial resources, such as private insurance and offender restitution, do not cover the loss. Some expenses are not covered by most compensation programs, including theft, damage, and property loss. State compensation programs are not required to compensate victims in terrorism cases.
To receive compensation, victims must comply with state statutes and rules, which generally require victims to cooperate with reasonable requests of law enforcement and submit a timely application to the compensation program.
To identify requirements, inquiries must be made to the individual VOCA-funded victim service organizations. The OVC website, http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/, provides links to Victim Assistance and Compensation Programs and lists organizations' corresponding state administrator contact information.
Status
Active
Loan Terms:
Not Applicable
Application Process:
To apply for this program, locate your state's nearest Victim Assistance and Compensation Program, visit
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/help/links.htm
Program Contact Information:
For more information, visit:
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/welcovc/welcome.html
If you have additional questions, send us an email at:
http://ovc.ncjrs.gov/askovc/
Or call us at:
Local:
301-519-5500
Toll-Free:
1-800-851-3420
TTY:
1-877-712-9279
Managing Agency:
U.S. Department of Justice
http://www.usdoj.gov
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