Types of Crimes Are Covered by the Victim Compensation Fund

The Victim Compensation Fund was created by Congress to provide financial assistance to victims of violent crime, as well as their families. It provides a safety net for individuals who have no other way to pay for costs related to being a victim or survivor of a crime, such as medical bills, counseling expenses, burial and funeral costs, lost wages and other unforeseen expenses.

Survivors of robbery, sexual assault and aggravated burglary are typically the most common victims to benefit from the program. But other crimes that can be included in the program include stalking, homicide and kidnapping. The eligibility requirements for the Victim Compensation Fund are similar to those of most state-run programs. To be eligible, a victim or survivor of heinous or severe crimes must have reported the crime to law enforcement within a specified timeframe.

They must also be able to show that they suffered physical or emotional injuries as a result of the crime. However, some exceptions are made for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking who have not experienced physical violence. According to a recent report by the advocacy group Common Justice, the criteria for determining eligibility can be very broad and racial bias may play a role.

What Types of Crimes Are Covered by the Victim Compensation Fund?

Many of the requirements for obtaining help from the Victim Compensation Fund are complicated, even in the best of circumstances. For example, a victim must be willing to meet with OVS officials and provide evidence of the crime. It also takes an average of 107 days for OVS to award or deny a claim, a delay that can be particularly difficult for victims whose immediate needs are heightened by the trauma of crime.

Another complication is that, while the agency does not limit how much money a victim can get to cover physical and mental health care expenses, it does require them to exhaust other forms of payment before receiving OVS aid. This includes health insurance, Medicaid, workers’ compensation and other sources of compensation that are typically paid to the victim or survivor.

As an OVS spokeswoman noted, “Victims’ Compensation is the PAYER OF LAST RESORT,” which means that it will only assist if there is no other source of compensation available. This can be a challenging concept for victims, especially those who are struggling financially and need assistance immediately after a crime has occurred.

For that reason, a significant amount of funding is directed toward victim services to ensure that victims are not left with the burden of paying for their losses alone. These funds are distributed through a competitive grant process to local community-based organizations that serve as local networks of services for crime victims.

These organizations are staffed with professionals who have extensive experience in the area of victim assistance and can be trusted to assist victims with their claims. They also have a wide range of resources available to them, from lawyers to social workers, and can help victims understand their rights.