Crime victim compensation is a direct reimbursement to or on behalf of a crime victim for a wide variety of crime-related expenses such as medical costs, mental health counseling, lost wages, and funeral and burial costs. OVC administers federal funds to support their crime victim compensation programs in all U.S. states, Washington, D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam.
Eligibility for crime victim compensation for costs incurred as a result of a crime varies by state and territory.
Victims of crime may contact the victim compensation program for the state or territory in which the crime occurred to inquire about program services and eligibility requirements.
The following organizations, publications, and related resources provide additional information on victim compensation.
Visit our Help for Victims microsite to learn about resources and services for victims of crime.
Another source of help is your local victim/witness assistance program. You may contact the VictimConnect helpline by phone or text at 855-484-2846 or online chat for a referral in your area.
Find out more in this brochure, What You Can Do If You Are a Victim of Crime, which includes a brief overview of OVC, your rights, and where you can get help.
Restitution is a court action that requires perpetrators to make financial payments to their victims, usually as a condition of probation or leniency in sentencing. Compensation is provided by the Victim Compensation Program in each State.
For additional information about compensation, view the Victim Compensation section of our website.
The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) specifically requires compensation to crime victims and survivors of victims of criminal violence for certain expenses resulting from physical injury from a compensable crime as defined by the state.
VOCA places priority on violent crime, but it does not prohibit coverage of nonviolent crimes. States may choose to broaden the range of compensable crimes to include those involving threats of injury or economic crime where victims are traumatized but not physically injured. Please keep in mind that eligibility requirements, in the end, are left up to the state.
Please contact your State Victim Compensation Program to learn about eligibility requirements.