The Crime Victims' Compensation Program (CVC) is administered by the Office of the State Attorney General.
The primary purpose of CVC is to encourage greater victim participation in the apprehension and prosecution of criminals. The Office of the Attorney General is committed to ensuring that victims of violent crime are provided with compassionate and effective delivery of victim services
to crime victims and the organizations assisting them.
Revenue for the CVC Fund does not come from taxes, it is collected from offenders through state court costs, fines and fees. In fiscal year 2006, CVC paid a total of $82,205,001 in compensation payments. Of that total, $57,109,309, or 67.18 percent, was paid for medical costs such as acute care hospitalization, physician fees, therapy fees and EMS costs.
These figures reflect the fact that aggravated assaults account for more than 61 percent of the crimes for which victims seek compensation.
To be eligible to apply, an individual must be a U.S. resident if the crime occurs in Texas, or a Texas resident if the crime occurs in another state, or another country that does not have a compensation program.
The crime must be reported to law enforcement within a reasonable
period of time, but not so late as to interfere with the investigation; and the application must be filed with CVC within three years of the date of the crime.
Victim's sexually assaulted in their place of residence and victims of family violence may obtain a permanent protective order in lieu of filing charges with law enforcement.
To qualify for compensation, the individual must have suffered physical or mental harm or death, be a dependent of a victim authorized to act on behalf of the victim, be an immediate family or household member of the victim, or assume financial responsibility for crime related expenses.
Claims for crimes that occurred on or after September 1, 1997 may not exceed $50,000. However, a victim who suffers catastrophic injury may be eligible to receive an additional $75,000 in specific compensation benefits related to permanent disability.
CVC is statutorily the "payer of last resort," which means compensation is available to crime victims after all other available financial sources, such as insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, and Texas Workers' Compensation are exhausted.
Texas law enforcement agencies and prosecutor's offices are mandated to provide victims of crime with information about CVC and an application.
Applications also are available from hospitals and non-profit agencies that work with crime victims.
An online application and more details about how CVC may provide victim assistance can be found at http://www.oag.state.tx.us/victims/cvc.shtml.
The National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline:
Teens or parents can call 24/7, and there is also a website: www.loveisrespect.org with lots of good information and advice.
Both are important tools to help teens in unhealthy, abusive or violent relationships.
