Program Directory

District of Columbia

Crime Victims Compensation Program

D.C. Superior Court
515 5th St., N.W., #104
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 879-4216
FAX: (202) 879-4230

http://www.dccourts.gov/dccourts/superior/cvcp.jsp

Director: Laura Banks Reed

Created in 1982, the program was placed under the auspices of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia in 1996. A five-person Appeals Board, appointed by the chief judge of the court, considers contested cases. The chief judge may review Appeals Board decisions.

FUNDING
The program receives $50-$250 for each misdemeanor, including $100 for drunk driving, reckless driving, or fleeing the scene of an accident; and $100-$5,000 for each felony. The program obtains funding from the general revenues of the court. The program receives an annual VOCA grant.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Law enforcement reporting period: 7 days
Filing period: 1 year from crime, or within 1 year of learning of the program with adequate showing that the delay was reasonable
Exceptions: Victims of sexual assault may satisfy reporting requirement by obtaining a sexual assault examination; victims of domestic violence may satisfy requirement by obtaining civil protection order; child-cruelty victims may satisfy reporting requirement by the filing of a neglect petition

PROCEDURES
Decisions are made by the program director.

Appeals: If there is new or previously unavailable information, the claimant may request reconsideration within 30 days of the determination. If the applicant disagrees with the decision, an appeal must be filed within 30 days. Appeals are considered by the appeals board on the record. A hearing may be recommended by the appeals board. A further appeal for judicial review may be made to the chief judge of the Superior Court.

BENEFITS
Maximum award: $25,000

Compensable costs (with limits)

Medical expenses
Mental health counseling: $6,000 children, $3,000 adults
Lost wages/support: $10,000 lost wages; $2,500 per dependent up to total of $7,500 for support
Funerals: $3,000
Relocation: Temporary emergency food and housing up to 120 days, with $3,000 limit for housing and $400 for food
Moving expenses: $1,500 when necessary for health and safety
Transportation: for court proceedings and to obtain services
Crime-scene cleanup/evidence: $1,000 for crime-scene cleanup; $100 for replacement value of victim's clothing held as evidence
Attorney fees: for appeals proceedings only, not to exceed $500 or 10% of award, whichever is less




	Program Directory District of Columbia Crime Victims Compensation Program D.C. Superior Court 515 5th St., N.W., #104 Washington, DC 20001 (202) 879-4216 FAX: (202) 879-4230 http://www.dccourts.gov/dccourts/superior/cvcp.jsp Director: Laura Banks Reed Created in 1982, the program was placed under the auspices of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia in 1996. A five-person Appeals Board, appointed by the chief judge of the court, considers contested cases. The chief judge may review Appeals Board decisions. FUNDING The program receives $50-$250 for each misdemeanor, including $100 for drunk driving, reckless driving, or fleeing the scene of an accident; and $100-$5,000 for each felony. The program obtains funding from the general revenues of the court. The program receives an annual VOCA grant. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Law enforcement reporting period: 7 days Filing period: 1 year from crime, or within 1 year of learning of the program with adequate showing that the delay was reasonable Exceptions: Victims of sexual assault may satisfy reporting requirement by obtaining a sexual assault examination; victims of domestic violence may satisfy requirement by obtaining civil protection order; child-cruelty victims may satisfy reporting requirement by the filing of a neglect petition PROCEDURES Decisions are made by the program director. Appeals: If there is new or previously unavailable information, the claimant may request reconsideration within 30 days of the determination. If the applicant disagrees with the decision, an appeal must be filed within 30 days. Appeals are considered by the appeals board on the record. A hearing may be recommended by the appeals board. A further appeal for judicial review may be made to the chief judge of the Superior Court. BENEFITS Maximum award: $25,000 Compensable costs (with limits) Medical expenses Mental health counseling: $6,000 children, $3,000 adults Lost wages/support: $10,000 lost wages; $2,500 per dependent up to total of $7,500 for support Funerals: $3,000 Relocation: Temporary emergency food and housing up to 120 days, with $3,000 limit for housing and $400 for food Moving expenses: $1,500 when necessary for health and safety Transportation: for court proceedings and to obtain services Crime-scene cleanup/evidence: $1,000 for crime-scene cleanup; $100 for replacement value of victim's clothing held as evidence Attorney fees: for appeals proceedings only, not to exceed $500 or 10% of award, whichever is less