Compensation for Your Financial Losses

Victims of violent crime and family members, domestic partners or household members of deceased victims may have significant out-of-pocket expenses through no fault of their own.  Crime Victim Compensation (CVC) helps pay for unreimbursed eligible expenses that result from the crime.

• Apply for Crime Victim Compensation

• Who is eligible?

  Crime Victim Compensation helps pay for unreimbursed expenses that are the result of crimes causing personal injury or death.  In the case of a victim’s death, family or household members may be eligible to receive compensation.

   

  • A person who is injured as the result of a crime as identified by law
  • The dependent or legal representative of someone who has been killed as the result of a crime
  • A person who is injured while helping a crime victim or police officer
  • A person who suffers a reaction from the death of a family or household member
  • A person who is injured in a car accident caused by a drunk driver

• What must I do to be eligible?

  General guidelines for individuals seeking Crime Victim Compensation

   

  • The crime must be reported to law enforcement within five days of the crime or within five days of when the crime could reasonably have been reported
  • The application for compensation must be filed within one year of the date of the crime
  • Victims who were minors at the time of the crime may file an application until their nineteenth birthday
  • If the victim owes unpaid child support, certain requirements must be met in order to be eligible

• What expenses are covered by Crime Victim Compensation?

  For an eligible claim, up to $40,000 is available for expenses that are the result of a crime including

   

  • Medical, dental and prescription expenses
  • Mental health counseling
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of support to the dependent of a victim who is killed
  • Replacement costs of clothing or bedding held as evidence up to $300
  • Replacement value of property held as evidence and made unusable because of crime lab testing up to $200
  • Costs of securing or cleaning a crime scene up to $1,000
  • An additional $2,000 to help pay funeral expenses

   

  Other than the items listed above and medically assistive devices such as prescription glasses, stolen or damaged personal property including cash is not covered. A victim is not eligible for Crime Victim Compensation if only property damage or loss occurred.

   

  Crime Victim Compensation (CVC) pays only expenses that are not paid or payable by other sources available to you such as private or group insurance, public funding, or payments made by the offender. Please call CVC if you have questions (800) 446-6564.

• How will my claim be processed?

  Once your application is received, a specialist will be assigned to your claim. Additional information such as employment or medical records may be requested.

   

  After the information in your application is verified, you will be notified by letter whether or not your claim is eligible for compensation In most cases it takes three to four months to reach the decision depending on the complexity of the claim.

   

  If your claim is denied, the reason will be explained in writing. Information on appealing the denial will be included.

• What crimes are typically covered?

  Crime Victim Compensation may provide financial help to victims of crimes that are compensable according to Wisconsin law. Examples of compensable crimes include

   

  Battery

  Homicide

  Injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle

  Sexual assault

   

  Child abuse

  Theft

  Stalking

   

   

  Read the complete list of Compensable Crimes (PDF) as defined in Wisconsin law.

• Frequently Asked Questions

Contact the CVC Program

Our staff is available to assist victims, applicants, providers and other stakeholders with questions regarding the Crime Victim Compensation Program.

Fax: (608) 264-6368

Phone in Madison area: (608) 264-9497

Toll-free: (800) 446-6564

TTY: (800) 947-3529

Email the Crime Victim Compensation Program.

CVC

PO Box 7951

Madison, WI 53707-7951

Brochures and Publications

Crime Victim Compensation Program Brochure

English (PDF)

Spanish (PDF)