State Agency Crime Victim Compensation Program - Alaska

The program was created in 1972 within the Department of Public Safety. The board is appointed by the governor, with at least one member being a physician and one member an attorney. Administrator: Susan Browne Board Members: Leslie Wheeler (chair), Dr. Colleen Murphy, Stephen Wallace, Esq. FUNDING Each Alaska resident receives an annual check as a portion of Alaska's permanent oil fund; individuals convicted of felony offenses forfeit their checks to the compensation fund. The program also receives an annual VOCA grant. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Reporting period: 5 days or a reasonable period of time Filing limit: 2 years Exceptions: Board weighs reasonableness of requests to waive reporting requirements PROCEDURES The program administrator and staff build the case file, and the administrator makes a recommendation to the board for a final determination. The board meets 5-6 times per year. Appeals: Victim may request in writing a hearing with a hearing officer (an attorney in private practice). An informal hearing is held in the town where the crime took place. The hearing officer prepares findings of fact and conclusions of law, which are provided to the board. The board retains discretion to make the decision. An appeal may be taken to superior court. BENEFITS Maximum award: $25,000; in death cases with multiple dependents: $40,130 Compensable Costs (with limits) Medical expenses Mental health counseling Lost wages/support: $25,000 per single incident Funerals: $5,000 Moving expenses: up to $5,000 in relocation costs; no cap on costs for re-establishment Travel: to obtain medical care and counseling; air ambulance when victim is far from appropriate medical facility Rehabilitation Attorney fees: may not exceed 25% of first $1,000 awarded, 15% of next $9,000, and 7.5% of any amount over $10,000 Emergency: $1,500 Alaska