All 50 states and D.C. operate crime victim compensation programs that reimburse medical expenses for people injured in violent crimes. If you were assaulted, sexually attacked, hit by a drunk driver, or harmed in another qualifying violent crime, your state can help pay hospital bills, mental-health counseling, therapy, and other injury-related treatment—regardless of whether the perpetrator is caught or convicted. Medical expenses make up about half of all victim compensation payouts nationwide. These programs exist specifically to help crime victims cover costs insurance won't pay, functioning as a safety net when you've been hurt through no fault of your own.
Table of Contents
- Crimes That Qualify
- Medical Expenses Covered
- How Much Money You Can Get
- How to Apply and Deadlines
- Frequently Asked Questions
Crimes That Qualify
state programs cover violent crimes where you suffered direct physical or psychological injury. Eligible crimes include assault, domestic violence, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, homicide, and drunk driving or hit-and-run crashes. Property crimes—theft, burglary, vandalism—are not compensable. The crime must have caused your injury directly. You must report the crime to police within 72 hours in most cases, though this requirement is waived for sexual assault, child abuse, and other situations where reporting immediately would endanger your safety or wellbeing. Law enforcement cooperation is normally required, but your state can waive this requirement if cooperating poses a risk to you..
Medical Expenses Covered
Victim compensation programs reimburse a broad range of medical and related costs: hospital emergency care and inpatient treatment, physician and specialist visits, mental-health counseling and therapy, dental treatment, ambulance and emergency transport, physical therapy, prescription medications, and medically necessary equipment like prosthetics or wheelchairs. You pay out-of-pocket and then submit receipts for reimbursement.
Critically, the program pays only what your private insurance, workers' compensation, or other coverage doesn't cover—it is a "payer of last resort" by design. This means you must exhaust other available coverage first. The program reimbursement will then cover remaining out-of-pocket costs.
How Much Money You Can Get
Compensation amounts vary by state. According to state program information, most state programs reimburse between $10,000 and $50,000 per claim. California allows up to $70,000 per application; Washington State caps medical injuries at $150,000; new York has no specified limit for medical expenses.
Michigan increased its maximum from $25,000 to $45,000 in August 2023, reflecting rising medical costs. Compensation limits apply per application, not per year—the limit is how much the program will reimburse you for a single crime, even if your treatment spans years. Your income and assets do not affect eligibility; these programs do not use means testing or need-based rules.
How to Apply and Deadlines
You can locate your state's victim compensation program through the Office for Victims of Crime's directory. Filing deadlines range from two to five years after the crime, depending on your state. Missing the deadline bars your claim entirely, so do not delay. The basic process: contact your state program (most have applications online or by mail), submit the application with your police report number, and include all medical receipts, bills, and insurance documentation.
The program reviews your claim and reimburses you or your medical provider directly. You do not need the perpetrator to be prosecuted, convicted, or even identified. If you were injured out of state, you can still apply—states must reimburse out-of-state residents injured within their borders as a condition of federal funding. One critical note: your prior criminal history, probation, parole, or incarceration does not make you ineligible. All states must reimburse qualifying victims regardless of background, though severe misconduct on your part in causing the crime can reduce your award.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be insured to qualify?
No. Victim compensation is available whether or not you have health insurance. The program is designed to cover out-of-pocket costs not covered by any other source.
What if the person who hurt me is never arrested?
You can still apply. The program reimburses based on the crime itself and your injury, not on whether the perpetrator is identified or prosecuted.
Can I apply if I'm not a U.S. citizen?
Citizenship is not a requirement. You must have been injured by a crime in a participating state (all 50 states and D.C. participate), but residency and citizenship status are not barriers to compensation.
How long does it take to get reimbursed?
Processing times vary by state, typically ranging from several months to over a year depending on the complexity of your claim and your state's backlog.