Crimes Compensation

Who can get compensation?

• A victim or intervenor as defined in Chapter 960 of the Florida Statutes.
• A surviving spouse, parent, child or sibling of a deceased victim.
• A guardian applying for a minor, incompetent person, or minor child or sibling of a deceased victim.
• A minor present at the scene of a crime who suffered psychological or psychiatric injury as a result of the crime or a minor victim of child abuse who suffered a mental injury.
• A relative applying on behalf of a deceased victim, when no other source of payment for funeral expenses is available.
• Any other person who was dependent for principal support upon a deceased victim or intervenor.

What are the Requirements to Apply?

(Additional qualification criteria, deadlines and exceptions not listed may apply)

• Crime must be reported to law enforcement within 72 hours.
• Victims must suffer personal physical injury or death as the result of a crime. Some exceptions and limited benefits may apply for victims who sustained psychiatric or psychological injury from certain crimes.
• Application must be filed within one year after the crime date or within two years if good cause is shown for the filing delay.
• Victim must fully cooperate with law enforcement, the State Attorney’s Office, and the Attorney General’s Office.
• Victim must not have been engaged in an unlawful activity at the time of the crime.
• Victim’s conduct must not have contributed to the situation that brought about his or her own injuries.
• Victim or applicant must not have been confined or in custody in a county or municipal facility; a state or federal correctional facility; or a juvenile detention, commitment, or assessment facility; adjudicated as a habitual felony offender, habitual violent offender, violent career criminal; or adjudicated guilty of a forcible felony offense.
• Relocation claims for victims of domestic violence who have an immediate need to escape a domestic violence environment must be filed through and certified by a domestic violence center in the State of Florida. The application and certification must be received by the department within 30 days from the date of crime.
• Relocation claims for victims of sexual battery who need to relocate due to a reasonable fear for their continued safety must be filed through and certified by a rape crisis center in the State of Florida.
• Relocation claims for victims of sexual human trafficking who have an urgent need to escape from an unsafe environment directly related to the human trafficking offense. The need must be filed through and certified by a domestic violence center in the State of Florida. The application and certification must be received by the department within 45 days from the last identifiable threat from the human trafficking offender which was communicated to law enforcement.

What information is required to apply?

• A completed and signed victim compensation claim application. Click here
• A law enforcement offense report documenting proof of a compensable crime.
• Proof of crime-related expenses, such as itemized bills.
• Proof of third-party payments, such as insurance, restitution, judgments or settlements.
• For relocation benefits, certification by a certified domestic violence shelter or rape crisis center (depending on benefit selection).

How do you apply?

• Submit a completed and signed claim application via email to vcintake@myfloridalegal.com, via fax to 850-414-5779 or 850-414-6197, or via mail to the address below: Bureau of Victim Compensation The Capitol, PL-01 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050

What are the possible Benefits you can receive?

• Only those expenses directly related to the crime will be considered for payment. All benefits have dollar limitations, subject to change without prior notice and require certain types of documentation. Some benefits are not available for certain types of claims.
• Wage loss for an employed victim who missed work as the result of a crime related injury or a parent/guardian who had to care for a minor child recovering from a crime related injury.
• Loss of support for persons who were principally dependent on a deceased victim who was employed and earned income, or who was eligible for reemployment assistance benefits, at the time of the crime.
• Disability allowance when the victim becomes permanently disabled as a result of the crime.
• Funeral/burial expenses.
• Treatment expenses for medical, non-medical remedial care, or other medically necessary services. Includes prescriptions, eyeglasses, dentures, or prosthetic devices needed as a result of the crime.
• Mental health and grief counseling.
• Property loss reimbursement for victims age 60 or older or disabled adults. The crime must be reported to the proper authorities within 72 hours and only certain types of tangible property are compensable.
• Domestic violence relocation assistance for victims who have an immediate need to escape a domestic violence environment.
• Sexual battery relocation assistance for victims who need to relocate due to a reasonable fear for their continued safety.
• Human trafficking relocation assistance for victims who have an urgent need to escape from an unsafe environment directly related to the human trafficking offense.

Financial and Job Assistance: Referral from the State Attorney’s Office Required, call hotline – Human Trafficking Miami Hotline → 305-FIX-STOP

• Americans for Immigrant Justice
• IRC