What are the basic eligibility requirements for Crime
Victims' Compensation benefits?
• The victim must be a resident of Texas, a United States
resident who is victimized while in Texas, or a Texas resident
victimized in another state or country that does not have a
compensation fund.
• The victim must report the crime to law enforcement within a
reasonable amount of time so as not to hinder the investigation
or prosecution of the offense, unless there is a valid reason
for not reporting in a timely manner.
• The victim must cooperate with law enforcement officials in
the investigation and prosecution of the case.
• Benefits may be denied or reduced if the victim's own behavior
contributed to the crime.
• All other available funding sources or reimbursements,
including Medicare and Medicaid, personal health insurance,
civil suit recovery or settlement, and/or court-ordered
restitution to the compensation program, must be used first.
• The Compensation Program must be notified when a civil lawsuit
is filed in relation to the crime or if restitution is ordered.
Who may be eligible for Crime Victims' Compensation benefits?
• Victims of violent crime who sustain emotional or physical
injury as a direct result of the crime
• Dependents of a victim and immediate family members
• People who have a legal responsibility or who assume financial
responsibility for covered bills or expenses
Who is not eligible for Crime Victims' Compensation benefits?
• The offender, an accomplice or any other person to whom an
award would unjustly enrich the offender or accomplice
• Anyone injured in a motor vehicle accident, unless the driver
intentionally caused the injury, was driving while intoxicated,
failed to stop and render aid, or caused the injury or death of
the victim due to criminal negligence or manslaughter
• Anyone incarcerated in a penal institution when the crime
occurred
• Any victim or claimant who provides false or forged
information to the Crime Victims' Compensation Program
What expenses may be covered with Crime Victims' Compensation
benefits?
• Reasonable medical, hospital, counseling and funeral expenses
• Travel to and from a funeral if over 20 miles one-way
• Lost wages for bereavement
• Loss of earnings or support .
• Counseling for immediate family members of the victim
• Reasonable attorney fees for assistance in filing the
application and obtaining benefits
• Eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures or prosthetic devices if
damaged or needed as a result of the crime
• Certain related travel expenses
• Crime scene clean-up
• Replacement of property seized as evidence
• Necessary expenses related to new child or adult dependent
care needs
• One-time relocation expenses for victims of family violence or
sexual assault that occurred in victim's residence
What expenses are not covered by Crime Victims'
Compensation benefits?
• Property damage or loss
• Pain and suffering
• Expenses not directly resulting from the crime
Tex. Gov't Code Ann. §559.003(a) (Vernon Supp. 2003),
The Office of the Attorney General, Crime Victims' Compensation
Program collects information about individuals who complete and
file this document with the Office of the Attorney General. Upon
request, you are entitled to the following: to be informed about
the information collected; to receive and review the
information; and to have the Office of the Attorney General
correct information about you that is incorrect.
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