How is the Victim Compensation Fund funded?
Victim Compensation Fund funded
The Victim Compensation Fund is administered by the New York State Office of Victim Services (OVS), which receives Federal funding through the Crime Victims Compensation Act. The program awards funds to a local network of community-based organizations that provide direct services to victims of crime.
The fund is funded by the proceeds of fines and penalty assessments imposed on criminals who commit crimes in New York State. These proceeds are used to pay for Victim Compensation Fund, including the costs of counseling and legal representation, forensic investigations, emergency services, crime scene clean-up, and other services provided by public and non-profit agencies.
In addition, the fund also provides a small amount of funding to support victim notification and crime alert systems in New York State. These programs provide a variety of public service benefits Victim Compensation Fund, including crime news updates and the ability to contact law enforcement on behalf of victims or their families.
How is the Victim Compensation Fund funded?
As of July 21, 2021, the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021 (Public Law 117-27) was signed into law. The law will help protect billions of dollars in victims services and ensure that the Fund is financially sustainable for years to come. Unlike other victim aid programs, the Victim Compensation Fund is not directly administered by state government. Instead, the program is governed by the Office of Victim Services and the Board of Compensation, which is appointed by the Governor.
Eligible applicants may file a claim on their own or with the help of an attorney. The process can be very confusing and stressful, so it is important to get help from an expert as soon as possible. The fund pays for expenses related to a crime, such as mental health care and funeral arrangements. In general, victims can expect to receive up to $6,000 for these expenses.
While the fund can be an essential source of relief for crime victims, it is often not enough to cover all the costs associated with a crime. For example, according to Common Justice, a nonprofit that advocates for victims’ rights, OVS awarded only 6,140 claims during the 2018-2019 fiscal year, covering a fraction of the crimes reported in New York State.
Another issue is that it takes long for the Office of Victim Services to make a decision on a case, especially when victims are in critical need. It can take an average of 107 days to decide whether a victim can receive the full amount they are entitled to.
One reason is that many victims don’t report crimes to police right away, said Michelle Guzman, executive director of VIP Mujeres, a non-profit that helps victims of immigration and criminal offenses. She added that many immigrant victims are undocumented, which may cause them to hesitate to tell the truth about their situation and make it more difficult for them to qualify for help.
A bill before the Albany legislature would eliminate this requirement, and make it easier for immigrants to apply for help. The law was cosponsored by Sen. Zellnor Myrie, who represents Brooklyn, and Assemblymember Demond Meeks, who represents Rochester.
