The Basics
This program helps victims and their families through the emotional and physical aftermath of a crime by easing the financial impact placed upon them by the crime.*
What is Victims Compensation Assistance Program?
The timeframe the crime has to be reported to the police from the date of the actual incident.
What is 72 hours?
Expenses incurred by an eligible individual including hospital fees, physician fees, dental fees, physical therapy, ambulance, medications, and replacing medically necessary equipment or supplies including eyeglasses, hearing aids, canes, walkers, and dental devices may be considered under this benefit.*
What is Medical Expenses?
This can only be considered by VCAP once the expense has been incurred.
What is reimbursement?
All case information including client contact information, victimization assessment, date of incident, RASA/VOJO, deceased form, and track direct service should be entered into this system.
What is ETO?
This funds VCAP.
What are court fees and fines from defendants?
In order to be eligible for consideration of VC, the direct victim/eligible individual must cooperate with these agencies. (This includes but is not limited to lineups, evidence recovery, interviews, and hearings.)
What are law enforcement and court systems?
When an eligible individual is unable to attend work due to physical or mental injury, caring for an injured victim, to make funeral arrangements, trauma related to homicide, or to attend court or PFA proceedings and are NOT compensated by their employer, they may be reimbursed for their loss under this benefit.**
What is Loss of Earnings?
In order for VCAP to consider out of pocket expenses, this is needed for all requests.
What is proper documentation i.e. bills, receipts, attendance verification, etc.?
In order to begin the VC process for a client, the referral must be sent to these two people.
Who is Laura and Brenda?
These are examples of this: direct victim, parent/guardian of minor victim, certain family members of homicide victims, and persons who are financially responsible for funeral expenses.
What are eligible claimants?
Based on the police report, VCAP may deny a claim or award it at a contribution rate if this type of activity occurred.
What is illegal activity?
Expenses incurred due to homicide including funeral bill, cemetery bill, headstone/memorial monument, flowers, and memorial meal can be considered under this benefit.*
What is Funeral Expenses?
For the relocation benefit, an eligible individual must relocate within this time frame from the date of incident.
What is 120 days?
This portion of the referral should include details about the incident and contains any important information that may be helpful regarding the claim filing process.
What is the summary?
These 9 categories of expenses can be considered under the VCAP program.*
What are medical expenses, counseling expenses, LOE, SBC, funeral, LOS, crime scene cleanup, relocation, and transportation?
In order for VCAP to consider an eligible claim, the claim must be filed within two years from this date.
What is the actual incident date or the date the crime was discovered?
Expenses for eligible individuals to obtain medical care including pharmacies and counseling, to attend or participate in criminal justice or PFA proceedings, for making funeral arrangements, accompanying the body/remains to an alternate location, or attending funeral services may be considered under this benefit.*
What is Transportation?
VCAP makes determinations based on information from the police department and police report. Due to this, when discussing VC with a client, we should always tell them this.
What is VCAP is not a guarantee and CV is not a part of the decision making process?
This portion of the referral is based on an initial assessment of needs and is what the client is requesting assistance with.
What is type of claim request? I.E. LOE, Medical, Counseling, ETC.
This is the general timeframe it may take for a decision to be made on a claim by VCAP.
What is 3 to 6 months?
Due to VCAP being a payor of last resort, these types of benefits should be utilized before an award can be considered and may affect what can be awarded.
What are health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, home owner or renter's insurance, and GoFundMe Accounts?
Expenses incurred by an eligible individual including P.O. Box Setup Fees, Monthly P.O. Box Fees, Rent, Storage Facility, Rental Truck, Professional Moving Company, and Utility Connection Fees may be considered under this category.*
What is Relocation Benefit?
Other than medically necessary equipment, VCAP cannot consider reimbursing for these types of expenses.*
What is personal property?
This date is a key component when determining eligibility for a client and determines the deadline to file a VC claim.
What is the date of victimization, date of incident, or date the crime was discovered?