Program Directory

Iowa

Crime Victim Assistance Division
Department of Justice

Lucas Building, Ground Floor
321 East 12th Street, Room 018
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 281-5044
FAX: (515) 281-8199
1-800-373-5044

Web site: http://www.state.ia.us/government/ag/helping_victims/index.html
Application: http://www.state.ia.us/government/ag/images/word_excel_docs/victim_compensation_application.docstate.ia.us/government/ag/cva04.map

Division Director: Marti Anderson
Compensation Administrator: Rob Wheeler
Board Members: Patricia Beaird, Kathy Dolan, Paul Fitzgerald, Patrick Jackson, Rich Joens, Ruth Mosher, Ed Origer, Margaret Sanders, Fred Scaletta, Mark Smith

The Crime Victim Assistance Division operates the state's compensation program, reimburses costs for forensic examinations in sex assaults, and administers federal and state victim services grants. A Crime Victim Assistance Board adopts rules and hears appeals. The program began in 1983.

FUNDING
The program receives income from a $100 civil penalty charged each person convicted of operating a motor vehicle while under the in fluence, for reinstatement of driver's license. The program also receives 18% of the state's 95% share of a 30% surcharge on all criminal fines. The program receives an annual VOCA grant.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Crime reporting period: 72 hours
Filing period: 2 years
Exceptions: Intrafamilial child victims have 2 years to file a claim after a report is filed with the Department of Human Services (there is no time limit for reporting to DHS); adults allowed good-cause exception to filing requirement

PROCEDURES
The investigator analyzes prepares a recommendation on applications for the quality control investigator. The compensation director makes the final decision on all denials.

Appeals: Applicant has 30 days to appeal to the division director. If still dissatisfied, the applicant has 30 days to appeal to the board, which then has 90 days to hear the appeal and render a decision. The board meets approximately 6 times a year. A further appeal can be taken to the district court.

BENEFITS
Maximum award: No established maximum; each benefit has its own limit.

Compensable Costs (with limits)

Medical expenses: $15,000 for primary victims; $3,000 for survivors of homicide victims
Mental health counseling: Primary victims: $3,000 limit for nonmedical therapy; may use medical category for therapy provided under psychiatrists's supervision. Secondary victims: $3,000 per family member of homicide victim; $1,000 per family member of non-homicide victims
Lost wages/support: $6,000 for disability; $2,000 per dependent in homicide or disability of greater than 60 days; $1,000 for court attendance; $1,000 for medical and counseling appointments
Funerals: $7,500
Crime-scene cleanup: $1,000; limit of $100 for clothing
Travel: payment allowed for medical emergencies, as well as for non-emergency medical or mental health care provided outside of the victim's county of residence
Attorney fees: program pays pro rata share of attorney fees if victim wins civil suit and reimburses program
Emergency: $500




	Program Directory Iowa Crime Victim Assistance Division Department of Justice Lucas Building, Ground Floor 321 East 12th Street, Room 018 Des Moines, IA 50319 (515) 281-5044 FAX: (515) 281-8199 1-800-373-5044 Web site: http://www.state.ia.us/government/ag/helping_victims/index.html Application: http://www.state.ia.us/government/ag/images/word_excel_docs/victim_compensation_application.docstate.ia.us/government/ag/cva04.map Division Director: Marti Anderson Compensation Administrator: Rob Wheeler Board Members: Patricia Beaird, Kathy Dolan, Paul Fitzgerald, Patrick Jackson, Rich Joens, Ruth Mosher, Ed Origer, Margaret Sanders, Fred Scaletta, Mark Smith The Crime Victim Assistance Division operates the state's compensation program, reimburses costs for forensic examinations in sex assaults, and administers federal and state victim services grants. A Crime Victim Assistance Board adopts rules and hears appeals. The program began in 1983. FUNDING The program receives income from a $100 civil penalty charged each person convicted of operating a motor vehicle while under the in fluence, for reinstatement of driver's license. The program also receives 18% of the state's 95% share of a 30% surcharge on all criminal fines. The program receives an annual VOCA grant. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Crime reporting period: 72 hours Filing period: 2 years Exceptions: Intrafamilial child victims have 2 years to file a claim after a report is filed with the Department of Human Services (there is no time limit for reporting to DHS); adults allowed good-cause exception to filing requirement PROCEDURES The investigator analyzes prepares a recommendation on applications for the quality control investigator. The compensation director makes the final decision on all denials. Appeals: Applicant has 30 days to appeal to the division director. If still dissatisfied, the applicant has 30 days to appeal to the board, which then has 90 days to hear the appeal and render a decision. The board meets approximately 6 times a year. A further appeal can be taken to the district court. BENEFITS Maximum award: No established maximum; each benefit has its own limit. Compensable Costs (with limits) Medical expenses: $15,000 for primary victims; $3,000 for survivors of homicide victims Mental health counseling: Primary victims: $3,000 limit for nonmedical therapy; may use medical category for therapy provided under psychiatrists's supervision. Secondary victims: $3,000 per family member of homicide victim; $1,000 per family member of non-homicide victims Lost wages/support: $6,000 for disability; $2,000 per dependent in homicide or disability of greater than 60 days; $1,000 for court attendance; $1,000 for medical and counseling appointments Funerals: $7,500 Crime-scene cleanup: $1,000; limit of $100 for clothing Travel: payment allowed for medical emergencies, as well as for non-emergency medical or mental health care provided outside of the victim's county of residence Attorney fees: program pays pro rata share of attorney fees if victim wins civil suit and reimburses program Emergency: $500

Iowa

Crime Victim Assistance Division Department of Justice

Crime Victim Assistance Division
Department of Justice