With more federal money, victims in some states could be able to get a greater level of benefits through increased program maximums. With only 12 states offering more than $25,000 in benefits, and 12 states with maximums of $10,000 or less, some victims are unable to have their losses from crime fully compensated. Though the average award nationally is only $2,000 per application, a disturbing number of victims suffering catastrophic injuries and total and permanent disability are not being fully paid for all their costs and future earnings losses. Only a handful of states are able to offer higher catastrophic benefits now; Texas, for example, can offer $50,000 in addition to its normal $50,000 maximum. For victims facing mammoth hospital bills or a lifetime of disability, these higher maximums would make a huge difference.

In other states, victims could get new benefits not currently offered. Crime-scene cleanup is paid for only in about half the states. Children witnessing domestic violence may not be covered in many states. Travel and lost wages for victims and family members to attend criminal proceedings are rarely paid. Relocation expenses and lost support for domestic violence victims are not generally offered. While all states pay for mental health counseling, these benefits are sometimes limited to close family members, and a number of states limit payments for counseling to about a year of therapy.

While there are some states that have substantial reserves, there are just as many or more states whose fiscal situation needs to be improved. And while nearly every state has sufficient money to pay current claims, expansion depends on more resources. It makes little sense to argue that since some states have reserves, no states should receive additional VOCA funds. It seems much more sensible to make changes to meet the needs of the less well-off states, than it does to refuse to do so because a few states have ample money.

2. Speed Payments and Increase Applications by Increasing the Administrative Allowance Victims in some states must wait too long for payments to be made by compensation programs. Nearly every state needs more staff to process large caseloads. State budgets are often too tight to allow for hiring new staff. And the current federal grant allowance of 5% for administrative costs is simply too low in many states to support new staff.

Half the states get federal VOCA compensation grants of $500,000 or less. Five percent of $500,000 is only $25,000, which will not pay for even one additional staff person. Eleven states get less than $250,000, which means their administrative allowance is less than $12,500. And yet it is often the smaller states, with a handful or less of employees, who struggle to keep up with caseloads. Large states face proportionately larger challenges, and the federal grant percentage just doesn't allow enough funds to hire the additional staff necessary to keep the work flowing quickly.

Other states do not have administrative funds to obtain or upgrade automated systems that have proven crucial in processing claims promptly. Imagine an insurance company with little or no software or hardware to process claims-this is the situation in too many state compensation programs. More administrative funds would allow states to make necessary purchases to modernize their operations and serve victims better.

Some states could use more administrative funds to launch greater outreach and training efforts. These have proven effective in many states in increasing the number of victims getting help. But many states are hampered by a lack of funding and staff to embark on these projects.

While overall, the number of victims applying for compensation has increased in the past year, some states have experienced a leveling-off in applications. (This leveling off followed several years of dramatic increases, during which many states saw a doubling or tripling of their caseload.) Violent crime has decreased significantly in many states, but it has been demonstrated again and again that programs with substantial funds that can do extensive outreach and training, as well as offer expanded benefits, will see an increase in claims. More federal funds will give states the resources they need to expand not only their benefit levels and improve their processing times, but also their efforts to bring more victims into their programs.

States should continue to have the choice to use all of their federal grant funds in awards to victims, and many states will not use any VOCA funds for administrative costs. But for those states that lack sufficient administrative resources to hire enough staff, automate their operations, and engage in outreach efforts, an additional federal administrative allowance will make a huge difference in serving victims and their families.

Summary
Victims and their families need more resources from VOCA's Crime Victims Fund. With $1 billion available, victims should be able to share directly in the increased revenues available. By providing more funds to support payment of medical bills, counseling, lost wages, support, and funerals, as well as a host of other expenses for domestic violence victims and others, we can make good use of VOCA money to help victims recover. We can also ensure that more victims learn about the financial assistance available to them, and that when they apply, they will be able to receive benefits more promptly.

Changing VOCA's distribution formula to to provide more funds for compensating victims, and allowing more grant money to be used for administrative costs, will have a nearly negligible effect on overall amounts available for other VOCA programs and initiatives. We need to make individual victims and their families a priority in allocating VOCA funds.

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