preventing the abuser from entering your residence, school, business or
place of employment.
The Victims Compensation Assistance Program (VCAP) helps victims and their
families ease the financial burdens they may face as a result of a crime.
Although compensation will not erase the fact that the crime has occurred,
it can help victims to begin the healing and recovery process. There may be
factors other than those listed below that may determine whether a crime victim
may qualify for compensation.
Who Is Eligible?
- The crime occurred in Pennsylvania OR
- the crime occurred to a Pennsylvania resident who was injured or killed
- in a foreign country or
- by an act of international terrorism
- A police officer, firefighter, or individual whose employment included
the duty of protecting the public, may be eligible for victims compensation
for injuries suffered from either on or off-duty crime incidents.
- The crime was reported to the proper authorities within three days OR a
Protection From Abuse Order was filed within three days unless good cause is
shown, or the victim is a minor.
- The victim has cooperated with law enforcement, the courts, and the
Victims Compensation Assistance Program.
The claim must be filed no later than two years after discovery of the
occurrence of the crime upon which the claim is based or not later than
two years after the death of the victim or intervenor as a result of the
crime or the discovery and identification of the body of a murder victim.
Which Types of Expenses May be Covered?
Medical Expenses
Medical expenses may include physical therapy, medications, ambulance,
home health care, replacement services, child care medical equipment/supplies,
or transportation costs to medical and counseling appointments or pharmacy
visits.
Counseling Expenses
Individuals eligible for counseling include: the victim; specific relatives
of the victim; person residing with the victim; person engaged to the victim;
person maintaining a common-law relationship with the victim; person who is
physically present and who witnesses a violent crime; person who discovers a
homicide victim; person responsible for the victim's welfare.
Loss of Earnings
A victim/claimant who is unable to work due to a physical or emotional
disability related to a crime may be eligible for compensation. The following
individuals may also be eligible for loss of earnings: certain family members
who provide home health care or replacement services, or persons who meet
specific criteria related to homicide victims.
Loss of Support
Payments may be made for financial dependents of a homicide victim.
Stolen Benefit Cash
If Social Security, pension/retirement, disability or court-ordered
child/spousal support is the victim's main source of income, and cash has
been stolen or taken through fraud, he/she may be compensated, within
certain limits.
Relocation Expenses
Temporary or permanent relocation expenses may be covered for the victim
and individuals residing in their household when it is required for the
immediate protection of their safety and/or health. A medical provider,
law enforcement, or human service provider must verify the victim's need to
relocate.
Funeral Expenses
If the claimant paid or assumes responsibility to pay for the funeral bill
for a deceased victim, he/she may be compensated for those expenses, within
certain limits.
Crime-Scene Cleanup
If the victim/claimant paid for the costs of cleaning the crime scene of a
personal living space, compensation may be awarded. Crime-scene cleanup
includes the removal of stains or blood caused by the crime or other dirt or
debris caused by processing the crime-scene.
To obtain a Victim Compensation Claim Form CLICK HERE
Women’s Resource Center:
570-278-1800 or 1-800-257-5765
Susquehanna County Correctional Facility:
570-278-7166
PA State Police: 570-465-3154 or 911
Tri-County Human Services: 570-278-3393
Office of the Victim Advocate
Board of Probation and Parole
1101 South Front St
Suite 5200
Harrisburg, PA 17104
800-563-6399
Children & Youth Services : 570-278-4600 x 300 or
Hotline 800-932-0313
Area Office of Aging: 570-278-3751 or Hotline 800-982-4346
Office of the Victim Advocate
Department of Corrections
PO Box 598
Camp Hill, PA 17001
800-322-4472
TDD 877-349-1064
The Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole
The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
Pennsylvania State Police
Pennsylvania Megan's Law Website
Directory of Crime Victim Services