Crime Victim Assistance Division

Crime Victim Compensation Program

If you or a loved one has suffered personal injury from a violent crime, the Crime Victim Compensation Program may be able to help.  The compensation Program helps victims with out-of-pocket expenses related to injuries from violent crime, and it is funded entirely by fines and penalties paid by criminals (not by taxpayers).  Last year the program awarded over $4.8 million to Iowa crime victims.

Some of the people eligible for help include victims of drunk driving, victims who have been physically or emotionally injured by violent crime, survivors of a homicide victim and family members of victims.  The program pays for crime-related expenses such as medical care, counseling, lost wages and funeral expenses (if costs are not covered by insurance or other sources).  The program can also pay for clean-up of a crime scene and replacement of clothing held as evidence, replacement of security items, child or dependent care, and travel.

The application process is simple.  Applications are accepted through the mail or by telephone.  The Crime Victim Compensation Program cannot erase the painful memories of a crime, but hopefully it can help in recovery and ease the financial burdens victims face.

If Crime Strikes You... Crime Victim Compensation may be able to help...
Here's How...

The Iowa Crime Victim Compensation Program helps victims with certain costs related to crime injuries.  Program costs are paid entirely with criminal fines, and not by Iowa’s taxpayers.

Who Can Get Help?

• Victims physically or emotionally injured in a violent crime in Iowa.
• Victims of drivers or boaters injured in crimes of intoxication, hit and run, recklessness, vehicular homicide or the use of the vehicle as a weapon.
• A victim’s spouse, children, parents, siblings, and person(s) residing in the household at the time of the crime.
• Survivors of a homicide victim.
• Iowans injured by a violent crime in the state or nation without a federally approved compensation program.

What Must I Do to Get Help?

• You must report the crime to local law enforcement within 72 hours, unless there is a just cause for not doing so.
• You must apply to the program within 2 years of the date of the crime, or show good cause for the delay.
• You must NOT have consented to, provoked, or incited the crime.
• You must NOT have been attempting, assisting or committing a criminal act causing your injuries.

How Long Will It Take?

• It takes about 8 weeks to determine program eligibility.  Payment will be made when all required information is received.  Once payment has been made, the program does seek restitution from the offender, unless it would threaten the safety of the victim.

What are covered costs?

The program can pay your crime related bills not covered by insurance or other sources.  You may be helped with out-of-pocket costs up to the amounts listed:

Lost Wages:

Counseling:

Medical:

Other:

• Property loss, repair, legal fees, phone bills, meals or pain and suffering cannot be paid.
• More than 2 weeks wage loss requires a disability statement from a medical provider or a licensed mental health provider.

For Help...

• Complete the form, sign the three releases, and return it to the Program. 
• After reviewing the application, we may ask you for more information.
• You do not need a lawyer to receive program benefits.

Contact

For more information contact us at the address below or email our Victim Advocate Mary Kay Bartine.

Attorney General's Office
Crime Victim Compensation Program
Lucas Building, Ground Floor
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Phone: (515) 281-5044
Toll Free: (800) 373-5044
Fax: (515) 281-8199