Crime Victim Compensation
What is crime victim compensation?
The Arizona Criminal Justice Commission administers a Crime Victim Compensation Program that provides financial help to Arizona victims of state and federal crimes (A.R.S. § 41-2407). The Program’s funds are made up of fines, surcharges, and penalties paid by convicted criminals. Each Arizona county has a crime victim compensation board that awards funds to crime victims through an application process. Unlike with restitution, a crime victim can apply for and receive crime victim compensation even if the person who committed the crime is never charged.
Who can receive crime victim compensation?
You can apply for crime victim compensation if you are the victim of a crime that caused physical injury or mental distress and you have experienced a financial loss as a direct result of the crime.
Other requirements include:
You must have been victimized in Arizona or be a resident of Arizona who was a victim of a crime in an area without a crime victim compensation program
You must willingly and fully cooperate with law enforcement
You must have reported the crime to law enforcement within 72 hours of the crime, unless there was good cause for the delay
You must apply for crime victim compensation within two years of the crime
Victim compensation program funding may help pay for out-of-pocket expenses such as
Medical or dental expenses
Mental Health Counseling*
Funeral and burial costs*
Lost wages / Loss of Support
Crime Scene Clean-up*
Limited Transportation Costs*
Mental Health Counseling*
Funeral and burial costs*
Lost wages / Loss of Support
Crime Scene Clean-up*
Limited Transportation Costs*
The Victim Compensation program will not consider or fund requests for:
Costs to repair or replace property
Pain and suffering
Lawyer fees
A person serving a prison or jail sentence
Paying fines, penalties, or restitution fees
Pain and suffering
Lawyer fees
A person serving a prison or jail sentence
Paying fines, penalties, or restitution fees
* up to a certain amount
How do I apply for Crime Victim Compensation?
Each Arizona county has a crime victim compensation coordinator and board to review and process applications for crime victim compensation. A completed and signed application is submitted, along with documentation, to the county coordinator where the crime occurred.
Documentation submitted with the application can include copies of police reports, bills or invoices for covered services, and receipts for expenses related to the crime
How does the Crime Victim Compensation Program work?
Crime Victim Compensation Program funds are limited, meaning there are often more requests for financial help than money available. The Program provides compensation when a victim can show that their insurance, worker’s compensation, or other benefits will not cover expenses or financial losses resulting directly from the crime. The Program is meant to provide compensation as a last resort, when the victim has no other options.
Here is how the process works:
1
An application for compensation is submitted to the county victim compensation coordinator.
2
The coordinator receives the application, verifies the request, and collects other documentation from the victim to support the application if it was not submitted with the application.
3
The coordinator prepares the application so it can be reviewed by the county’s victim compensation board.
4
The victim compensation board reviews the application and makes a decision on what if any amount of will be paid to the victim.
5
The coordinator notifies victim of their application status.
