Members
Program Directory

New York

Crime Victims Board

55 Hanson Place, 10th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(718) 923-4325
FAX: (718) 923-4373
1-800-247-8035		 65 Court St.
Room 308
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 847-7948
FAX: (716) 847-7995 		1 Columbia Circle, #200
Albany, NY 12203-6383
(518) 457-8727
FAX: (518) 457-8658
Web site: www.cvb.state.ny.us

Board members: Tina Stanford (chair); Joan Cusack; Jacqueline Mattina; Alton Waldon, Jr; Louis Mosiello

Created in 1967 as an executive branch agency, the board consists of five full-time members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Not more than three members of the board may be from the same party, and three board members must be lawyers. The program operates through offices in New York City, Albany, and Buffalo.

FUNDING
The program receives an annual appropriation for victim compensation from the Criminal Justice Improvement Account, a special revenue fund that comes in part from mandatory surcharges and crime victim assistance fees. The program also receives an annual VOCA compensation grant. Adminstrative support is provided through the state General Fund.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Law enforcement reporting period: 7 days
Filing period: 1 year
Exceptions: Good cause waiver; in claims involving sex offenses or family offenses, police report must be filed within reasonable time considering all circumstances, including victim's condition and family situation
Financial hardship: Means test applied only if claimed expenses exceed $5,000

PROCEDURES
All claims are sent to the Albany Office. When it is determined that the application is complete, the claim is assigned to a claims specialist who gathers the necessary documentation, verifies any losses, and makes a recommendation to the assigned board member, who then makes a decision on the claim.

Appeals: The applicant has 30 days to appeal, in which case 3 board members other than the original decision maker are assigned to review the case. If the claimant wishes to appear personally, a hearing is scheduled. Otherwise the claimant may submit any additional documentation and the file is reviewed by 3 board members and a final decision rendered. A further appeal may be taken into the state court system.

BENEFITS
Maximum award: No maximum for medical expenses; various maximums for other expenses

Compensable Costs (with limits)

  • Medical expenses: no maximum
  • Mental health counseling: no maximum
  • Lost wages/support: $30,000
  • Funerals: $6,000
  • Moving expenses: if medically necessary
  • Crime-scene cleanup: $2,500
  • Property loss/security: $500 for essential personal property, including $100 cash loss, includes replacement of damaged locks and doors
  • Travel: to medical providers and for necessary court appearances
  • Vocational rehabilitation
  • Attorney fees: $1,000
  • Emergency: $1,500
  • Note: for victims of World Trade Center attack of September 11, 2001, limits have been removed on some expense categories

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