Eligibility

Requirements:

• The crime has been reported to a law enforcement officer, who must conclude that a crime was committed

• The victim has suffered physical injury or emotional harm as a direct result of a crime

• The crime was committed in Vermont, or was committed against a Vermont resident in a country that does not have a Compensation Program

• The crime was committed after July 1, 1987

• The victim did not violate a criminal law of this state which caused or contributed to his or her injuries or death

• Family members of a homicide victim are also eligible

Click Here to watch a short video about the Victims Compensation Program.  The video has ASL interpretation.

Types of crimes that may qualify for Victim Compensation:

• Arson

• Assault

• Burglary

• Child Physical Abuse/Neglect

• Child Pornography

• Child Sexual Abuse

• Domestic Violence

• DUI (Driving under influence of intoxicating liquor or other substance)

• Fraud/Financial crimes

• Homicide

• Human Trafficking

• Kidnapping

• Other Vehicular Crimes

• Robbery

• Sexual Assault

• Stalking

• Terrorism

• Other

Expenses the Victims Compensation Program may pay for:

Where appropriate, money is available to pay for the following expenses, that have not already been paid by other sources. The Victims Compensation Program determines what crime related losses can and cannot be paid by the Program on your claim and there are caps or limits on some types of losses.

• Medical/dental

• Mental health counseling for victim and supportive counseling for family members that live in the household with the victim

• Funeral costs

• Lost wages due to time missed from work

• Mileage/gas reimbursement

• Crime scene clean-up

• Limited rent/relocation

• Safety/security

• Child care

• Boarding of pets

• Payment for pets that are injured/killed during the crime

• If death occurs as a result of the crime, legal dependents may receive temporary living expenses

• Loss of support

• Eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures, or any prosthetic device taken, lost or destroyed during the commission of a crime

Expenses that cannot be paid by the Compensation Program:

• Any expense not related to the crime
• Any expenses paid by insurance or another source of reimbursement or coverage
• Expenses for lost, stolen or damaged property (except medically necessary items due to a qualifying crime)
• Damages for pain and suffering
• Attorney fees