If you’ve been the victim of a crime, it’s important you understand that you have a right to be compensated. Below are answers to some frequently asked questions.
How much help can I get from the New Jersey Victims of Crime Compensation Office?
If you qualify, these are some of the expenses that can be paid.
- Psychological counseling
- Loss of support or earnings
- Hospital, physician and physical therapy
- Nursing care
How do I qualify for financial help?
If you are a victim or claimant (person filing for a victim or dependents of the victim), you must show that:
- You are a resident of the State of New Jersey or the crime occurred in this state.
- You have financial losses as a result of injuries you received as a result of a violent or certain other crimes.
- The crime was reported to law enforcement within 3 months, if possible and you submitted this application within 2 years from the date of the crime, if possible.
- You cooperated fully with the police and prosecutor’s office. However, eligibility is not dependent upon conviction or prosecution of the offender.
- You or your immediate family member have incurred, or will incur, medical, counseling, funeral bills lost time from work and/or other losses because of injuries directly resulting from the crime.
- You cooperated with the VCCO investigator and informed the Office of any change of address.
- Insurance and other payment sources such as restitution paid by the offender will not cover the bills submitted.
- You did not contribute to your injuries, provoke the incident, and were not responsible for or participated in the crime that caused your injuries.
- You do not have any outstanding VCCO assessments imposed for convictions. If you cannot provide proof to the Office that they were paid, the outstanding amount will be deducted from your compensation award.
What losses are not covered?
- Property damage or loss, except crime scene cleanup.
- Pain and suffering.
- Care of child or dependent
- Funeral expenses up to $5,000
- Emergency Relocation Costs
- Attorney fees for assistance in filing a claim and representing you in the appeal process
How can I get help with this application?
Law enforcement agencies, your County Office of Victim/Witness Advocacy or call the VCCO at 1-877-658-2221.
If I want to apply now, what should I do?
Read the following instructions and fill out the attached claim application. Also include copies of as much related information (i.e. copies of itemized receipts, bills, insurance statements) as you have. The more information we have now, the sooner your application can be processed. You can send more itemized bills later as you receive them. The VCCO will send you a letter when your application is received. If you have not received a letter after four weeks, please call the VCCO. Keep in touch. If you move or if your phone number changes, please let us know.
Who is eligible?
A victim of a crime who has sustained personal injury, mental trauma or death a surviving spouse, parent/guardian, child or other relative dependent for support upon a victim of a crime who died as a direct result of such crime, or a person injured while trying to prevent a crime or while assisting a police officer in making an arrest.
What are the preconditions for eligibility?
Your claim must be filed within two (2) years from the date of the personal injury or death, or after two (2) years if the VCCO determines that good cause existed for the delayed filing. The crime must be reported to the police within three (3) months after it occurs, or within three (3) months from the time it was known, or from the time there was reason to believe, that a crime occurred. For incidents prior to June 26, 1995, you must have suffered at least $100 in out-of-pocket medical expenses and/or two weeks continuous loss of earnings or support. There are no minimum loss requirements for incidents occurring on or after June 26, 1995. You must cooperate fully with the police and prosecutor’s office; however, eligibility is not dependent upon conviction or prosecution of the offender. Failure to cooperate with the VCCO investigator or failure to inform the VCCO of a change of address will result in a denial of compensation. If you have any VCCO assessments imposed on you by the courts for prior convictions, you must pay them in full before you can receive any compensation. The crime must occur in New Jersey, although you need not be a New Jersey resident; or you must be a New Jersey resident who became a victim in another state or jurisdiction that does not have a crime victim compensation program or has a program which has not provided full compensation for your crime-related losses.
Who is not eligible?
- A victim whose behavior contributed to the crime and injuries suffered
- A victim who was engaged in illegal activity at the time of the crime
- An offender or an accomplice of the offender
- Anyone in prison for a crime when the incident occurred
- A victim of a motor vehicle or boating accident except those listed under Crimes for Which Compensation is Available
- A victim of a motor vehicle or boating incident where the victim knew, or had reason to believe, the vehicle or vessel was being operated by the offender while under the influence of alcohol or narcotics
- A victim who is a non-resident of New Jersey and the crime incurred in a location other than New Jersey
Please see Victims of Crime Compensation — FAQs Part 2 for a continuation of this article.
More information about Victims of Violent Crimes Compensation Board
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney in New Jersey
For a concise overview of VCCO Benefits, see our post Victims of Crime Compensation — Benefits in a Nutshell
