If you’ve been the victim of a traumatic or violent crime, you are likely dealing with pain, fear, and significant disruption to your life. The aftermath of a serious crime can be overwhelming, but you may be legally entitled to public funds and resources to help cover financial losses and support your long-term healing.
The Crime Victims Fund, or CVF, is a federal fund established by the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to provide vital financial assistance and medical recovery resources directly to survivors of intentional, violent crimes. At Shamieh Law, we’re here to help you access all the care and support you need to get through this difficult time. We’ll review your case and explain all the options available to you. Call 469-813-7332 or contact us online for a free and confidential consultation with our team.
What Is the Goal of the Crime Victims Fund?
The primary purpose of the Crime Victims Fund is to provide immediate financial relief to survivors, preventing the monetary strain of a violent crime from permanently derailing their lives and future stability.
Along with financial support for crime victims, the goals of the CVF also include the following:
- Financing community-based victim advocacy groups
- Subsidizing specialized crisis hotlines and domestic violence shelters
- Ensuring that survivors have access to mental health counseling at little to no cost
These public goals frequently intersect with civil personal injury claims. For example, if a business cuts corners on security and a robbery occurs, or if an irresponsible driver causes a drunk driving accident, both the state criminal justice system and civil litigation can offer paths for relief. While criminal justice funds offer basic emergency reimbursement, civil claims address comprehensive long-term damage.
How Does the Crime Victims Fund Vary by State?
Although the CVF is a centralized federal pool financed by criminal fines rather than taxpayer dollars, the money is distributed annually to individual state-level compensation boards. Every state establishes its own operational guidelines, operates its own application portal, and imposes its own deadline.
You must apply directly through your state’s administrative department to access these grants. To find your specific state agency, file an application, or explore local legal resources, visit the Office for Victims of Crime State Directory.
Who Can Apply for the Crime Victims Fund?
Generally, direct victims who sustained physical or severe psychological injuries during a violent crime can apply. Additionally, certain family members, legal guardians, and dependent survivors who bear the financial responsibilities of a crime may be eligible to apply for aid.
Applying for the CVF involves submitting a formal application to your local state board, along with verified police reports, medical bills, and employer wage verification forms. Also, there may be state-level grants that can provide additional support after surviving a crime. Consider speaking with an experienced lawyer who regularly works with crime survivors and can help you navigate the application process.
Can I Utilize the Crime Victims Fund if My Child Was a Victim of a Crime?
Yes. Parents or legal guardians can apply to cover medical bills, trauma counseling, and other losses connected to the crime. However, every state operates its own Crime Victims Compensation program, so covered expenses can vary based on your location.
Can I Utilize the Crime Victims Fund if a Loved One Passed Away Due to a Crime?
While losing a loved one to a violent crime is an unimaginable tragedy, you may qualify for CVF relief to take some of the financial stress off your shoulders. Surviving spouses, children, or financial dependents can apply for aid to cover sudden expenses, such as funeral costs, loss of financial support, mental health counseling, and relocation costs.
My Crime Victims Fund Application Was Denied. Can I Appeal That Decision?
If your application or a specific billing expense is rejected, you have the right to file an appeal, usually within 30 to 45 days of the decision. While every state has its own process, it typically involves a formal reconsideration review or an administrative hearing before a state board officer, where you can submit missing evidence. A legal professional can help with your appeal and fight for the compensation you deserve.
What Crimes Are Covered Under the Crime Victims Fund?
The CVF specifically targets violent crimes that endanger human life or cause severe bodily harm. Covered crimes include the following:
- Assault
- Sexual battery
- Domestic violence
- Vehicular manslaughter
- Commercial armed robberies
For instance, in a recent case handled by Shamieh Law, two armed robbers entered a Dollar General store, held up the premises, and fatally shot a store employee. Because management failed to provide adequate on-site security, this tragic loss constituted a clear case of negligent security.
In devastating and violent events like this retail store robbery, the surviving family members may be eligible to seek benefits from the state fund.
What Injuries Are Covered Under the Crime Victims Fund?
Depending on your state, CVF may cover different types of injuries caused by the crime, including:
- Physical injuries: Severe physical harm requiring emergency medical intervention, surgery, or specialized physical therapy
- Psychological injuries: Diagnosed mental trauma, severe anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder, resulting from direct harm or the immediate threat of physical violence
What Can I Use Money From the Crime Victims Fund for After a Crime?
Although every state manages its own fund allocation, survivors of violent crime can generally use CVF aid to cover medical bills and other expenses related to the crime. For example, the Crime Victims Fund in Louisiana covers:
- Dental expenses
- Mental health counseling
- Funeral expenses
- Loss of earnings or support
- Child care or dependent
- Crime scene cleanup
- Reasonable replacement costs for items taken as evidence or made unusable as a result of the criminal investigation
- Forensic medical exams
- Relocation expenses
State boards strictly regulate the crime victim defense fund, requiring direct itemized receipts or billing invoices for approved expenses. Try to keep receipts organized to avoid delays or denials.
Also, individual states have imposed caps that limit how much is available to each applicant. Because these caps rarely cover the lifelong cost of a catastrophic injury or a wrongful death, pairing a state fund application with a personal injury lawsuit is another option to pursue compensation.
Can I File Both a Personal Injury Claim and a Claim for the Crime Victims Fund?
Yes, you have the right to file a private civil personal injury lawsuit while also pursuing an application with the Crime Victims Fund. However, navigating the strict deadlines, police interactions, and itemized billing requirements of state boards can be draining when you’re trying to heal and get your life back on track.
At Shamieh Law, our legal team can handle your state compensation application while building a strong civil case against the negligent parties who allowed the crime to happen. We’ll be by your side every step of the way to help you access the support and financial relief you need and deserve.
Shamieh Law Is Here to Help Victims of Crime
If you or a loved one suffered an injury due to a crime resulting from negligent security, a drunk driving crash, or another criminal act, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. At Shamieh Law, our hand-picked group of elite attorneys in Texas and Louisiana can manage the legal process for you, so you can focus on your recovery and moving forward.
If you have questions about the Crime Victims Fund in Texas or Louisiana or want to know whether you have grounds to pursue additional damages in a lawsuit, we’re here to help. We’ll guide you through each step, explain your rights, and discuss your options.
Call 469-813-7332 or contact us online today.