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ICJI > Victim Compensation Division Victim Compensation Division

In 1978, the Indiana General Assembly enacted into law a program to provide financial assistance for victims of violent crime. As the administrators of the Indiana Violent Crime Victim Compensation Fund, the Victim Compensation division assists victims or their dependents with medical expenses, funeral expenses, lost wages and outpatient counseling.

For victims of sexual assault, the fund also allows payment of expenses resulting from the collection of evidence (rape kit) as well as outpatient counseling services.  

The Victim Services Division of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute provides a variety of programs geared toward helping victims and those who assist them. Program funding is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, a percentage of court fees collected statewide, work release money, restitution payments, 75% of punitive damages awarded in Indiana, and state appropriations.

Victim Compensation Fund General Eligibility Requirements

Indiana Code defines a violent crime as a felony or Class A misdemeanor that results in bodily injury or death to the victim. Persons eligible for assistance from this fund include:

  • Innocent victims of any violent crime, including a motor vehicle crash caused by a drunk driver;
  • A parent, surviving spouse, dependent child or other legal dependent of an innocent victim who has been killed as a result of any violent crime, including a motor vehicle crash caused by a drunk driver; or
  • A person who is injured or killed trying to prevent a violent crime or giving aid to a law enforcement officer.

Other requirements include:

  • the crime must have taken place in Indiana;
  • the victim must have incurred a minimum out-of-pocket loss of $100;
  • the crime must have been reported to the police within 72 hours
    (Note: Victims of sexual assault do not have to report the crime to police);
  • the victim or survivors must have been cooperative in the investigation and prosecution of the crime;
  • application for benefits must be filed no later than 180 days after the crime occurred;
  • medical expenses must be incurred within 180 days of the crime, but can be extended under certain circumstances.

General Information

A maximum award of up to $15,000 MAY be available to help cover expenses resulting from any one injury or death. Eligible crime related expenses include:

  • Medical bills;
  • up to $5,000 for funeral and burial or cremation expenses for victims of certain crimes involving motor vehicle accidents (regardless of marital status);
  • up to $3,000 for counseling;
  • lost wages;
  • loss of support to legal dependants of an employed crime victim who is killed;
  • reasonable child care services;
  • attorney fees; and
  • emergency shelter services.

Emergency funding is available to assist victims of crime who are faced with an immediate financial hardship resulting from the crime that has led to the need of services. An application must be filed before an emergency award determination is made.

Note: You are still legally responsible for the payment of your bills associated with the crime. Filing an application will not stop providers from taking collection steps against you. If you application is approved, you will be reimbursed for eligible out-of-pocket expenses.

Application Information

Applications are available from this website or by contacting your local law enforcement agency or the Victim Services department of your county prosecutor's office.  Completed applications can be mailed, hand delivered, or faxed to the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute at: 101 W. Washington Street, Suite 1170 East, Indianapolis, IN 46204; Fax: (317) 233-3912.

Applications for benefits must be filed no later than 180 days after the crime occurred. You do not need to wait until the suspect is arrested or convicted. It is not necessary to submit medical bills or police reports at the time you file your application. Additional information will be requested during the course of the investigation.

If you have questions about filling out the application, you can contact the Violent Crime Victim Compensation division toll-free at (800) 353-1484. Victims may also inquire about the status of their compensation application at this number. For confidentiality reasons, information will be provided only to the legal applicant.

If you are an organization that would like to request application forms, please contact the Violent Crime Victim Compensation division at (800) 353-1484.

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