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U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs |
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July 1999 |
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Victims of Crime Act Crime Victims Fund
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The Crime Victims
Fund was established by
the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (VOCA) and serves as a major funding
source for victim services throughout the country. Each year, millions of dollars are
deposited into this
Fund from criminal fines, forfeited bail bonds, penalty fees, and special
assessments collected by U.S. Attorney's Offices, U.S. Courts, and
the Bureau of Prisons. These dollars come
from offenders convicted of Federal crimes
not from taxpayers. Deposits into
the Fund fluctuate from year to
year. The chart below depicts deposits into the Fund from 1985 through
1998.
Crime Victims Fund
Deposits
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When the
Crime Victims Fund was authorized in 1984, a cap was placed on Fund deposits for the first
eight years. However, the cap on deposits was lifted in 1993 thus allowing all criminal
fines, bail forfeitures, penalties and special assessments authorized by VOCA for the
Crime Victims Fund to be deposited into the Fund to support crime victim program
activities. How Are
Fund Deposits Disbursed?
The first $10 million is used to improve the investigation and
prosecution of child abuse cases. The $10 million is divided between the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services ($8.5 million) and OVC ($1.5 million). The portion
administered by OVC is used exclusively to help Native Americans improve the investigation
and prosecution of child abuse cases, particularly child sexual abuse.
The remaining Fund deposits are distributed in the following ways:
• 48.5 percent to State compensation programs.
• 48.5 percent to State assistance programs.
• 3 percent for discretionary funds to support demonstration
projects, training, and other assistance to expand and improve the delivery of services to
federal crime victims.
Victim Compensation
What Is Crime Victim Compensation?
Crime victim compensation is a direct reimbursement to, or on behalf of, a
crime victim for the following crime-related expenses: |
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• Medical costs.
• Mental health counseling.
• Funeral and burial costs.
• Lost wages or loss of support. Other
compensable expenses may include eyeglasses or other corrective lenses, dental services
and devices, prosthetic devices, and crime scene clean-up.
What Is a Crime Victim Compensation Program?
Every State administers a crime victim compensation program. These
programs provide financial assistance to victims of both Federal and State crimes.
Although each State compensation program is administered independently, most programs have
similar eligibility requirements and offer a comparable range of benefits. Maximum awards
generally range from $10,000 to $25,000.
The typical State compensation program
requires victims to report crimes to law enforcement within 3 days and to
file claims within a fixed period of time, usually 2 years. Most States can extend these
time limits for good cause. If other financial resources are available, such as private
insurance, compensation is paid only to the extent that the collateral resource does not
cover the loss.
Which States Receive VOCA Compensation
Grants?
All 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands
receive VOCA compensation grants.
A State is eligible to receive a VOCA compensation grant if it meets
the criteria set forth in VOCA and OVC's Program Guidelines. Examples of such criteria
include providing services for Federal crime victims and assisting
victims who are victimized within the State when the victim resides in
another State. Under the 1996 Antiterrorism Act, States must also provide compensation to
residents who are victims of terrorist acts within or outside the United States.
The formula for VOCA compensation grants to States is based on a
percentage of State payments to crime victims in a previous year.
Victim Assistance
What Is Victim Assistance?
Victim assistance includes, but is not limited to, the following
services: |
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• Crisis
intervention.
• Counseling.
• Emergency shelter.
• Criminal justice advocacy.
• Emergency transportation. Throughout the
nation, there are approximately 10,000 organizations that provide these and
other services to crime victims. Nearly 3,300
of those organizations receive some VOCA funds.
Which States Receive VOCA Victim Assistance
Grants?
All States and most Territories receive an
annual VOCA victim assistance grant. Each State, the District of Columbia,
the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico receive a base amount of $500,000. The
territories of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and American Samoa each receive a base
amount of $200,000. Additional funds are distributed based on population.
States competitively award VOCA funds to local community-based
organizations that provide services directly to victims of crime.
How Do States Determine
Which Organizations Will Receive
VOCA Victim Assistance Grants?
Each State has discretion to determine which
organizations will receive funding based upon the VOCA victim assistance
guidelines and
the needs of crime victims within the State.
Most States make awards on a competitive
basis.
VOCA assistance funds may be used only for direct services to crime
victims. Services such
as offender rehabilitation, criminal justice improvements, and crime
prevention activities cannot be supported with VOCA assistance funds.
Discretionary Funds
What Are Discretionary Funds?
VOCA authorizes OVC to use discretionary
funds to improve and enhance the
quality and availability of victim services.
Each year, OVC develops a Program Plan
which identifies the training and technical assistance and demonstration
initiatives to be funded on a competitive basis in the coming year. |
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How Are the Discretionary Funds Used?
At least half of all discretionary grant funds are dedicated to
improving the response to Federal crime victims. Initiatives include the following:
• Training Federal criminal justice system personnel on victims'
issues.
• Developing materials that help Federal victims understand their
rights and available services.
• Supporting programs that establish and expand existing services
for Federal crime victims.
The remaining discretionary funds support a variety of nationwide
initiatives such as follows:
• Developing training curricula.
• Training victim services and criminal justice professionals. |
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• Working to raise the
awareness of victim's rights and needs throughout the country. •
Identifying and disseminating promising practices in victim services.
• Supporting and evaluating demonstration programs.
For Further Information
More information about the Office for Victims of Crime is available
through the following sources:
OVC 202_307_5983
OVC Web Site http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/
OVC Resource Center 800_627_6872
OVC Resource Center Web Site http://www.ncjrs.org |
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