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Eligibility for Crime Victims’ Compensation Program
If you or your immediate family have financial costs because of a crime, you may be eligible for the Crime Victims’ Compensation (CVC) Program. Here’s what you need to know.
Review the following information before starting the application process. This information provides the general guidelines for receiving compensation. The requirements of the law and administrative rules govern the program.
| WHO QUALIFIES AS A VICTIM? | WHO QUALIFIES AS A CLAIMANT? |
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An injury can include physical or mental harm
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A claimant is a person, other than the victim, who is:
A business, agency, or organization cannot apply as a claimant. |
Crime Victims' Compensation
Eligibility Requirements
You may apply for compensation for all eligible crime-related costs, including payment of medical costs from a sexual assault exam. To receive compensation for these costs, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- The crime must occur in Texas to a U.S. resident; or the victim is a Texas resident and the crime occurred in a country that does not offer crime victims’ compensation.
- The crime must be reported to an appropriate law enforcement agency.
- The victim or claimant must cooperate with the law enforcement investigation.
- You must apply within three (3) years from the date of the crime unless good cause is shown e.g., age of the victim, mental or physical capacity of the victim, etc.
- You are either a victim or a claimant.
- You did not:
- Participate in the crime
- Commit illegal activity at the time of the crime. Does not apply to a person who seeks compensation if the illegal activity the person engaged in was the result of human trafficking.
- Share responsibility for the crime due to your behavior
- Give false information to the program
- You were not incarcerated at the time of the crime.
Covered Crimes
Crimes or attempted crimes that caused physical or mental injury or death.
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Identity theft and property crimes are not covered.
Emergency Medical Care Compensation - Sexual Assault Exam
Eligibility Requirements
You may apply for compensation for only the emergency medical care you received during a sexual assault exam at a hospital after August 31, 2015. Learn more about Emergency Medical Care – Sexual Assault Exam.
You will not be considered for compensation for any other crime-related costs, such as follow-up medical care, mental health care, or lost wages. You have three years from the date of the crime to request compensation for other crime-related costs.
To receive reimbursement for only the emergency medical care costs, you do not need to meet all CVC eligibility requirements.
You must meet the following eligibility requirements:
1. The crime must occur in Texas to a U.S. resident; or the victim is a Texas resident and the crime occurred in a country that does not offer crime victims’ compensation.
2. You must apply within three (3) years from the date of the crime unless good cause is shown e.g., age of the victim, mental or physical capacity of the victim, etc.
3. You are:
- A victim who received emergency medical care during a sexual assault exam at a hospital after August 31, 2015
- A person who legally takes on the responsibilities or pays the cost of the eligible emergency medical care
- Someone authorized to act on behalf of the victim listed above, such as a parent or guardian
4. You did not give false information to the program.
5. You were not incarcerated at the time of the crime.