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Victim Compensation

Victims of violent crime may suffer financial stress that is as devastating as their physical injuries and emotional trauma. Crime victim compensation is a direct reimbursement to or on behalf of a crime victim for a wide variety of crime-related expenses, including medical costs, funeral and burial costs, expenses for mental health counseling, and lost wages or loss of support. Every state administers a crime victim compensation program that provides crucial financial assistance to victims of both federal and state crimes.

 

The following resources provide more information about victim compensation, including eligibility requirements, compensable costs, and the application process.


OVC and OVC-Sponsored Publications

Vision 21: Transforming Victim Services Final Report (May 2013) OVC, Report, NCJ 239957.
The Vision 21: Transforming Victim Services initiative was launched by OVC in fall 2010 to expand the vision and impact of the crime victim assistance field. This Final Report provides a set of findings and broad recommendations, informed by stakeholder forums and literature reviews, that form a framework for strategic, transformative change. The Final Report outlines ways the field can overcome the obstacles it faces and change how it meets victims' needs and addresses those who perpetrate crime.
PDF (Full Report) | PDF (Summary & Recommendations) | PDF (At a Glance Fact Sheet)
 
International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program 2010 Report to Congress (April 2013) OVC, Electronic Document, NCJ 240996.
This e-publication provides essential background information about the International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program (ITVERP)-how it came into existence, its role in assisting victims of international terrorism, and how the reimbursement process works. A companion report provides a summary of ITVERP activities during the September 2009 through August 2010 reporting period, including application processing and claims payment, public awareness activities undertaken to reach out to potential claimants, and a discussion of future program needs and improvements.
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International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program 2011 Report to Congress (April 2013) OVC, Electronic Document, NCJ 240997.
This e-publication provides essential background information about the International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program (ITVERP)-how it came into existence, its role in assisting victims of international terrorism, and how the reimbursement process works. A companion report provides a summary of ITVERP activities during the September 2010 through August 2011 reporting period, including application processing and claims payment, public awareness activities undertaken to reach out to potential claimants, and a discussion of future program needs and improvements.
HTML
 
International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program 2009 Report to Congress (April 2013) OVC, Electronic Document, NCJ 239201.
This e-publication provides essential background information about the International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program (ITVERP)-how it came into existence, its role in assisting victims of international terrorism, and how the reimbursement process works. A companion report provides a summary of ITVERP activities during the September 2008 through August 2009 reporting period, including application processing and claims payment, public awareness activities undertaken to reach out to potential claimants, and a discussion of future program needs and improvements.
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Attorney General Guidelines for Victim and Witness Assistance 2011 Edition (Revised May 2012) (May 2012) OVC, 66 pages, NCJ 235121.
These guidelines establish policy and provide guidance to be followed by U.S. Department of Justice personnel in their interactions with crime victims and witnesses. Effective October 1, 2011, these guidelines clarified DOJ's responsibilities to provide mandated rights and services enumerated in the Crime Victims’ Rights Act (CVRA) and the Victims' Rights and Restitution Act (VRRA) as well as other statutory requirements. Furthermore, the guidelines examine the unique requirements of vulnerable victims, including a recent update in May 2012 that addresses the scope of the federal child abuse reporting requirement under section 13031 of the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 13031.
Abstract | PDF
 

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Victims of violent crime may suffer financial stress that is as devastating as their physical injuries and emotional trauma. Crime victim compensation is a direct reimbursement to or on behalf of a crime victim for a wide variety of crime-related expenses, including medical costs, funeral and burial costs, expenses for mental health counseling, and lost wages or loss of support. Every state administers a crime victim compensation program that provides crucial financial assistance to victims of both federal and state crimes.

 

The following resources provide more information about victim compensation, including eligibility requirements, compensable costs, and the application process.


Victims of violent crime may suffer financial stress that is as devastating as their physical injuries and emotional trauma. Crime victim compensation is a direct reimbursement to or on behalf of a crime victim for a wide variety of crime-related expenses, including medical costs, funeral and burial costs, expenses for mental health counseling, and lost wages or loss of support. Every state administers a crime victim compensation program that provides crucial financial assistance to victims of both federal and state crimes.

 

The following resources provide more information about victim compensation, including eligibility requirements, compensable costs, and the application process.


Each month the Nation's experts answer your questions about best practices in victim services. Below are upcoming and most recent session discussions in this topic:

On Mar 29 2011 at 3:00PM, Angela Moreland Begle, National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center, Medical University of South Carolina, and Jack Fleming, National Center for Victims of Crime, and Charity Hope, VERA Institute of Justice, and Julie K Landrum, National Crime Victim Law Institute, and Jennifer Shewmake, Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center, hosted a discussion on Transforming Victim Services in the 21st Century

On Nov 14 2006 at 2:00PM, Dan Eddy, Executive Director of the National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards, hosted a discussion on Crime Victim Compensation and Best Practices

Victims of violent crime may suffer financial stress that is as devastating as their physical injuries and emotional trauma. Crime victim compensation is a direct reimbursement to or on behalf of a crime victim for a wide variety of crime-related expenses, including medical costs, funeral and burial costs, expenses for mental health counseling, and lost wages or loss of support. Every state administers a crime victim compensation program that provides crucial financial assistance to victims of both federal and state crimes.

 

The following resources provide more information about victim compensation, including eligibility requirements, compensable costs, and the application process.


What is the difference between compensation and restitution?
Restitution is court-ordered and compensation is provided by the Victim Compensation Program in each... Read More

Can I access the National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW) Resource Guide online?
The National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW) Resource Guide, as well as additional information an... Read More

What types of assistance are available to me as a crime victim?
Assistance for victims of crime is available through financial reimbursement and victim services fro... Read More

Can a victim apply directly to OVC for funding?
Yes. Under the International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program (ITVERP), a U.S. nationa... Read More

Is it possible to receive a set of the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) Voices of Victims videos?
The Voices of Victims videos listed below are no longer available to order: Voices of Victims:... Read More

More FAQs

Victims of violent crime may suffer financial stress that is as devastating as their physical injuries and emotional trauma. Crime victim compensation is a direct reimbursement to or on behalf of a crime victim for a wide variety of crime-related expenses, including medical costs, funeral and burial costs, expenses for mental health counseling, and lost wages or loss of support. Every state administers a crime victim compensation program that provides crucial financial assistance to victims of both federal and state crimes.

 

The following resources provide more information about victim compensation, including eligibility requirements, compensable costs, and the application process.


No funding records found relevant to this topic.

More Funding Opportunities

Victims of violent crime may suffer financial stress that is as devastating as their physical injuries and emotional trauma. Crime victim compensation is a direct reimbursement to or on behalf of a crime victim for a wide variety of crime-related expenses, including medical costs, funeral and burial costs, expenses for mental health counseling, and lost wages or loss of support. Every state administers a crime victim compensation program that provides crucial financial assistance to victims of both federal and state crimes.

 

The following resources provide more information about victim compensation, including eligibility requirements, compensable costs, and the application process.


Publications

OVC and OVC-Sponsored Publications

Vision 21: Transforming Victim Services Final Report (May 2013) OVC, Report, NCJ 239957. The Vision 21: Transforming Victim Services initiative was launched by OVC in fall 2010 to expand the vision and impact of the crime victim assistance field. This Final Report provides a set of findings and broad recommendations, informed by stakeholder forums and literature reviews, that form a framework for strategic, transformative change. The Final Report outlines ways the field can overcome the obstacles it faces and change how it meets victims' needs and addresses those who perpetrate crime.
PDF (Full Report) | PDF (Summary & Recommendations) | PDF (At a Glance Fact Sheet)
 
International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program 2010 Report to Congress (April 2013) OVC, Electronic Document, NCJ 240996. This e-publication provides essential background information about the International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program (ITVERP)-how it came into existence, its role in assisting victims of international terrorism, and how the reimbursement process works. A companion report provides a summary of ITVERP activities during the September 2009 through August 2010 reporting period, including application processing and claims payment, public awareness activities undertaken to reach out to potential claimants, and a discussion of future program needs and improvements.
HTML
 
International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program 2011 Report to Congress (April 2013) OVC, Electronic Document, NCJ 240997. This e-publication provides essential background information about the International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program (ITVERP)-how it came into existence, its role in assisting victims of international terrorism, and how the reimbursement process works. A companion report provides a summary of ITVERP activities during the September 2010 through August 2011 reporting period, including application processing and claims payment, public awareness activities undertaken to reach out to potential claimants, and a discussion of future program needs and improvements.
HTML
 
International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program 2009 Report to Congress (April 2013) OVC, Electronic Document, NCJ 239201. This e-publication provides essential background information about the International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program (ITVERP)-how it came into existence, its role in assisting victims of international terrorism, and how the reimbursement process works. A companion report provides a summary of ITVERP activities during the September 2008 through August 2009 reporting period, including application processing and claims payment, public awareness activities undertaken to reach out to potential claimants, and a discussion of future program needs and improvements.
HTML
 
Attorney General Guidelines for Victim and Witness Assistance 2011 Edition (Revised May 2012) (May 2012) OVC, 66 pages, NCJ 235121. These guidelines establish policy and provide guidance to be followed by U.S. Department of Justice personnel in their interactions with crime victims and witnesses. Effective October 1, 2011, these guidelines clarified DOJ's responsibilities to provide mandated rights and services enumerated in the Crime Victims’ Rights Act (CVRA) and the Victims' Rights and Restitution Act (VRRA) as well as other statutory requirements. Furthermore, the guidelines examine the unique requirements of vulnerable victims, including a recent update in May 2012 that addresses the scope of the federal child abuse reporting requirement under section 13031 of the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 13031.
Abstract | PDF
 

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Related Resources

Federal Resources

International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program (ITVERP)
If you believe that you or someone you know has been a victim of international terrorism, help may be available. ITVERP is a program authorized by Congress to reimburse eligible direct victims of acts of international terrorism that occur outside the United States for expenses associated with that victimization.
 
National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS)
NCJRS is a federally funded resource offering information on victimology and victim assistance, criminal justice, juvenile justice, information to support research, policy, and program development worldwide. NCJRS supplies the victim services field with resources, publications, and program information. The NCJRS library collection includes more than 30,000 resources relevant to the field.
 
September 11th Victim Compensation Fund
The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) has been reinstated and will provide compensation for any individual (or a personal representative of a deceased individual) who suffered physical harm or was killed as a result of the terrorist-related aircraft crashes of September 11, 2001, or the debris removal efforts that took place in the immediate aftermath of those crashes. On January 2, 2011, President Obama signed into law the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-347) which expands the pool of applicants eligible for the Fund to include individuals who experienced injuries associated with the attacks or subsequent debris removal. The VCF site allows users to obtain a list of the kinds of documents and information needed in order to process claims; register for the VCF online, the first step in submitting your claim; fill out an online eligibility form to determine VCF eligibility; submit a claim online; and review Frequently Asked Questions.
 

Non-Governmental Resources

National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards (NACVCB)
NACVCB shares information and ideas through its network of victim compensation programs. Training and technical assistance activities and other resources focus on fiscal stability, outreach, communication, and advocacy.
 

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Web Forum Discussions

Each month the Nation's experts answer your questions about best practices in victim services. Below are upcoming and most recent session discussions in this topic:

On Mar 29 2011 at 3:00PM, Angela Moreland Begle, National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center, Medical University of South Carolina, and Jack Fleming, National Center for Victims of Crime, and Charity Hope, VERA Institute of Justice, and Julie K Landrum, National Crime Victim Law Institute, and Jennifer Shewmake, Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center, hosted a discussion on Transforming Victim Services in the 21st Century

On Nov 14 2006 at 2:00PM, Dan Eddy, Executive Director of the National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards, hosted a discussion on Crime Victim Compensation and Best Practices


FAQs

What is the difference between compensation and restitution?
Restitution is court-ordered and compensation is provided by the Victim Compensation Program in each... Read More

Can I access the National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW) Resource Guide online?
The National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW) Resource Guide, as well as additional information an... Read More

What types of assistance are available to me as a crime victim?
Assistance for victims of crime is available through financial reimbursement and victim services fro... Read More

Can a victim apply directly to OVC for funding?
Yes. Under the International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program (ITVERP), a U.S. nationa... Read More

Is it possible to receive a set of the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) Voices of Victims videos?
The Voices of Victims videos listed below are no longer available to order: Voices of Victims:... Read More

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Funding

No funding records found relevant to this topic.

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EventsDirectoryE-Mail UpdatesRSS
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National Calendar of Crime Victim Assistance-Related Events
Upcoming Event(s)
2013 National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) Annual Conference and Exhibition
Charlotte, NC
06/20/2013-06/26/2013

25th Annual Crimes Against Children Conference
Dallas, TX
08/12/2013-08/15/2013

National Sexual Assault Conference
Los Angeles, CA
08/28/2013-08/30/2013

Online Directory of Crime Victims Services.