Member News and Information

The mission of the National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards is to provide leadership, professional development, and collaborative opportunities to our members to strengthen their capacity to improve services to crime victims and survivors. We share a vision of working together so that every victim compensation program is fully funded, optimally staffed, and functioning effectively to help victims cope with the costs of crime.

Our Members-Only section is open to managers, staff and Board members of government crime victim compensation programs. Contact us if you need assistance logging in.

Our National Conference for our members will take place in Portland, Oregon, September 10 -13. Information will be sent to all compensation programs soon on registration and hotel reservation details.

Our latest Crime Victim Compensation Quarterly can be found by clicking here. A look at our Spring Regionals, an update on VOCA funding, and a couple of recent inquiries and answers are included.

Our current featured issue is "What's in a Name?" More information can be found by clicking on the "Members-Only" tab to the upper right, once you've logged in.

Update on VOCA Funding: Congress has set a cap of $730 million for FY 2013 grants. A few more issues need to be worked through, including the application of management and administrative expenses, before the grant process this year will open. The President's recently released budget for FY 2014 proposes a cap of $800 million, with the increase from last year designated for new purposes, such as Vision 21 initiatives and tribal support. The Congress will consider the proposal over the coming months.

Click here to see the summary and text of OVC's Vision 21 Report.

Return to FAQs

Application Procedures

1. How does a victim apply?

Applications can be obtained from the crime victim compensation program. Most programs now have web sites from which application forms can be downloaded. Check the Program Directory or State Links on this Web site for links to each state's program. Applications are also available from police, prosecutors, or victim service agencies. Many states also have brochures describing their programs. Victims can seek help from victim service programs in completing the application.

The application should be submitted as soon as possible. The compensation program will review the application to determine eligiblity and to decide what costs can be paid, and will notify the applicant of the program's decision.

2. Where does a victim apply?

Victims generally should apply in the state where the crime occurred. A few states may offer eligibility to their residents for crimes commited in other U.S. jurisdictions, but primary coverage staill comes from the state where the crime occurred. About half the states offer help to their residents who are victims of crimes committed in foreign lands. Foreign coverage is a matter of state law, and the individual state should be contacted regarding eligibility.