Ohio Victims of Crime Compensation Eligibility Checklist
If you answer “yes” to all of the following questions, you may be eligible for help from this program:
- The application is being filed within two years of the date of the crime. Minors have until their 20th birthday to file for compensation.
- The crime was reported within 72 hours (unless there is a good reason for delay) and the victim cooperated with the reasonable requests of law enforcement.
- The victim was not committing a criminal act that caused or contributed to the injuries.
- The victim has no collateral source of payment for the compensation they are seeking.
Who Can Get Help?
The Ohio Victims of Crime Compensation Program helps victims with certain out-of-pocket expenses caused when people are physically injured, emotioanlly harmed, or killed as a result of violent criminal acts. Program costs are paid entirely by criminal fines and not by Ohio’s taxpayers.
Who Is Not Eligible?
- The offender.
- Anyone who committed a felony within 10 years prior to the crime that caused the injury.
- Anyone who commits a felony between the time of filing an application for compensation and receiving any compensation.
- Anyone injured while incarcerated.
What Are Some Costs That May Be Paid?
- Medical and related expenses.
- Counseling for family members of victims (up to $2,500 each).
- Wages lost from not being able to work.
- Replacement services.
- Crime scene clean-up (up to $750).
- Evidence replacement (up to $750).
- Funeral expenses (up to $5,000).
- Income or services the victim can no longer provide to dependents because the victim is deceased.
Are There Limits On Compensation?
- Yes. Compensation cannot be paid for stolen, damaged, or lost property, or for pain and suffering.
- Compensation is not paid for costs payable by other sources.
Contacts For More Info
For further info or application forms, you may contact one of the following offices:
Victim Assistance Program
150
Furnace Street
Akron, Ohio 44304
1.330.376.0040
1.330.376.0851 Fax
Ohio Attorney General
Crime Victims
Services Section
65 East State St., 8th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-4231
1.800.582.2877
1.877.584.2846 (1.877.5VICTIM)