Compensation

Since its establishment in 1966, this agency has provided substantial financial relief to victims of crime and their families by paying unreimbursed crime-related expenses, including but not limited to: medical and burial expenses, loss of earnings or support, counseling costs, crime scene clean-up expenses, the cost to repair or replace items of essential personal property, reasonable court transportation expenses, assistance to crime victims acting as a good Samaritan, the cost of residing at or utilizing the services of a domestic violence shelter, and limited attorney fees. 

If you are an innocent victim of a crime within New York State you may be eligible to receive benefits from OVS.

Who may be eligible for compensation?

• The victim must be an innocent victim of the crime
• Victims of crime who were physically injured as a result of the crime
• Victims of crime who are under 18, 60 and over, or disabled, who were not physically injured
• Certain relatives and dependents, including surviving spouse, child, parent, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, stepparent or person primarily dependent on the victim for support
• Those who paid for or incurred burial costs for an innocent crime victim
• Child victims, a child who witnesses a crime, and the child’s parent, stepparent, grandparent, guardian, brother, sister, stepbrother or stepsister
• Certain victims of unlawful imprisonment or kidnapping
• Certain stalking victims
• Victims of terrorist acts outside of the US who are a resident of New York State
• Victims of frivolous lawsuits brought by a person who committed a crime against the victim

Compensation May Be Awarded If:

• The victim was an innocent victim of the crime
• The crime was reported to a criminal justice agency within one week or justification for the delay can be shown.  In cases involving sex offenses, a "criminal justice agency" shall include any medical facility that provides a forensic physical examination for victims of rape and sexual assault.

Compensation Benefits Include:

• Expenses for medical or other related services not covered by other insurance or benefit programs
• Lost earnings or loss of support up to $600 per week and up to a total maximum of $30,000.
• Burial expenses up to $2,000 ($6,000 for crimes committed on or after November 1, 1996)
• Occupational rehabilitation expenses
• Counseling services to the victim and to certain family members are paid in accordance to the OVS fee schedule.  The fee schedule is based on reasonable fee rates depending on the credentials of the treating counselor.
• The cost of repair or replacement of essential personal property lost, damaged or destroyed as the direct result of a crime up to $500 ($100 Cash)
• Transportation expenses for necessary court appearances in connection with the prosecution of the crime or transportation for medical appointments necessary as a result of the crime
• The cost of residing at or utilizing the services of a domestic violence shelter
• Crime scene cleanup expenses and/or securing a crime scene up to $2,500
• Attorney fees for representation, to a maximum of $1,000.

You May Obtain Emergency Benefits If:

• You are deemed to be potentially eligible for compensation benefits and would suffer undue financial hardship if some immediate payment is not made.   Emergency award maximum amounts are $2,500.

To learn more about our compensation program, please read the OVS Guide to Compensation and the Frequently Asked Questions under our “Help for Crime Victims” button.

For a copy of our claim application, please click here(1.17 mb).
Download pdf viewer