Office of Crime Victim Services
Crime Victim Compensation Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
♦ How do I apply for crime victim compensation?
♦What is paid for by the Crime Victim Compensation Program?
♦How long will the application process take?
♦What do I need to send with the application?
♦What are the eligibility requirements?
♦It's been over one year since the incident occurred; can I still apply?
♦Can I get paid for the pain and suffering?
♦Can I get paid for mileage to appointments or court appearances and get paid for time off work for these events?
♦I had car insurance but they aren't paying for a while since my attorney is working on the case. Can you pay me anyway?
♦A family member was a victim of homicide; should all surviving family members fill out an application?
♦If I don't want to go to court and prosecute the offender, can you pay for my bills?
♦The police took my cell phone and/or computer; can you send me money to replace those items?
Lost Wages Questions
Medical Treatment/Counseling Questions
Restitution Questions
How do I apply for crime victim compensation?
You can apply for crime victim compensation by calling the Office of Crime Victim Services at 1-800-446-6564 for an application, download one from our website by clicking here (PDF), or you can pick one up at most victim service agencies, including any District Attorney's Office. You should apply as soon as possible to meet the statutory filing deadline. Do not wait until court is over or until medical treatment is completed.
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What is paid for by the Crime Victim Compensation Program?
The Crime Victim Compensation Program pays up to $40,000 for certain out of pocket expenses incurred by an eligible victim of crime who suffered a personal injury or death and who is not covered by another source (i.e., insurance). Losses may include medical expenses, counseling expenses, lost wages, loss of support, replacement costs of clothing, bedding or other property held as evidence, cleaning and securing a crime scene, homemaker services and an additional $2,000 for funeral expenses. The Program does not cover property crimes.
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How long will the application process take?
The average crime victim compensation application may take 3-4 months from the time the application is received until crime related expenses are paid. However, this depends on how rapidly the applicant responds to the Program's requests for documentation and the availability of the law enforcement reports to the Program. If there is an urgent need to replace wages, the staff will make that claim a priority.
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What do I need to send with the application?
You do not need to send anything with the application but be sure to sign the application and provide all information requested. If you have already received medical bills, you may enclose itemized copies of them with your application form. The Program will contact you for further information to support your claim. The program relies on police reports that are requested directly from law enforcement agencies. You do not need to provide them.
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What are the eligibility requirements?
To be eligible for the Crime Victim Compensation Program, you must be an innocent victim of crime or a family member of an innocent homicide victim.
- The victim's conduct must not have caused or contributed to the incident;
- The victim must not have committed a crime that led to the incident; the victim must cooperate with law enforcement and with the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Office of Crime Victim Services in supplying information about the incident;
- If the victim is listed on the Wisconsin Child Support Lien Docket, the victim must provide a copy of his/her payment agreement that has been approved by the county child support agency;
- The incident must be reported to the police within 5 days of the crime, or within 5 days of the date the crime could reasonably have been reported;
- The application must be received within one year of the incident.
- If the victim was injured in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, the victim must have been a pedestrian or a passenger in the other car, a child passenger in the offender's car, or unaware that the driver was under the influence of alcohol or an illegal drug.
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It's been over one year since the incident occurred; can I still apply?
By statute, the crime victim compensation application must be filed with the Department of Justice within 1 year of the date of the crime. However, there are very limited circumstances in which this requirement may be waived. If the application is not filed within 1 year, attach a written statement explaining the reason for the delay. Do not wait until court is over or until medical treatment is completed to send in your application.
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Can I get paid for pain and suffering?
The Crime Victim Compensation Program does not pay for pain and suffering.
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Can I get paid for mileage to appointments or court appearances and get paid for time off work for these events?
The Program cannot reimburse for mileage or for time off of work for appointments or court appearances.
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I had car insurance but they aren’t paying for a while since my attorney is working on the case. Can you pay me anyway?
No, we must subtract any money paid (or TO BE paid) on a claim. That means if there is a civil suit pending, the Program must pend payments.
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A family member was a victim of a homicide; should all surviving family members fill out an application?
Only one crime victim compensation application shall be filed on behalf of a homicide victim. If family members want to apply for compensation, additional family/household applications will be sent out.
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If I don’t want to go to court and prosecute the offender, can you pay for my bills?
Generally, no, the Program requires that victims cooperate with the prosecution of the offender including asking for restitution. In rare cases where there is a safety issue this requirement may be waived.
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The police took my cell phone and/or computer; can you send me money to replace those items?
The Program may only reimburse for clothing and bedding held as evidence. The Program may pay for other property that has been damaged due to crime lab testing. Because cell phones and computers are usually returned without damage, the Program cannot reimburse for those items.
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