State Agency Crime Victim Compensation Program - Florida

Created in 1978, the program is administered by the Office of the Attorney General's Division of Victim Services and Criminal Justice Programs, which also has responsibility for administering federal victim assistance funds and training programs for victim-service providers and law enforcement officers. The program administers a separate payment procedure for forensic examinations in sexual-battery cases.
Field advocates provide information and support to victims in offices around the state.
Division Director: Rodney Doss
Compensation Bureau Chief: Jacquelyn Dupree

FUNDING
The program receives 86% of its funding through a mandatory court-cost assessment of $50 per felony, misdemeanor, criminal traffic offense, and juvenile adjudication, and a 5% surcharge on criminal-offense fines. The program also receives an annual VOCA grant.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Reporting period: 72 hours
Filing period: 1 year
Exceptions: For good cause, reporting period may be waived, and filing period can be extended to 2 years. For crimes against minors occurring after 10/1/93, applications can be filed up to 1 year following victim's 18th birthday, or within 2 years for good cause.

PROCEDURES
Applicant is allowed 3 years from the date of the crime to provide information necessary to complete the claim. Coverage is limited to losses incurred within 3 years from date of crime, except mental health counseling for minors. Appeals: Claimant has 60 days to request a hearing after notice of the decision to deny or reduce benefits. The attorney general appoints a hearing officer to hear appeals involving questions of fact; hearings usually are held in the geographical area where the crime occurred. Informal proceedings involving questions of law are handled by the division director. Claimant may seek further recourse within the court system.

BENEFITS
Maximum award: $25,000, with additional $25,000 in catastrophic-injury cases

Compensable Costs (with limits)


Medical expenses: 66% of total bill, up to maximum of $10,000; in-state providers must accept as payment in full
Mental health counseling: $2,500 or up to 3 years for adults; $10,000 for minor victims, $2,500 for child witnesses
Lost wages/support: lost wages for up to 3 years after date of crime, up to $25,000; lost support up to $25,000.
Funerals: $5,000
Moving/relocation: $1,500 for domestic violence victims, with $3,000 lifetime cap
Replacement services
Property loss directly impacting quality of life, limited to disabled or victims 60 years and older: $500
Travel: for crime-related treatment @29 cents per mile
Relocation: $1,500 for domestic violence victims
Rehabilitation
Emergency: $1,000
Florida