Crime Scene Cleanup Providers | Virginia Victims Fund

Subsection E of § 19.2-368.11:1 authorizes VVF to pay certain expenses related to crime scene clean-up as a reasonable and necessary expense.

When a crime occurs in a residence or vehicle, VVF may reimburse any individual who pays, or assumes the obligation to pay, reasonable costs to clean the scene of the crime in an amount not to exceed $1,000 in aggregate.

Requests for awards for crime scene clean-up involving automobiles will be decided on a case-by-case basis.

Generally, the replacement of property is prohibited by the Federal Victims’ of Crime Act; however, there are these exceptions:

(a) Replacement and clean-up of items damaged by the police use of graphite at the crime scene (this does not extend to payment for items taken by the police as evidence except as mentioned below).

(b) Replacement of locks, doors and windows damaged as a result of a qualifying crime as well as the replacement of bedding and clothing held by the police as evidence.
In order to reimburse these expenses, VVF must have (i) a copy of the evidence receipt provided to the victim by a law-enforcement agency and (ii) a receipt for the purchase of a like item that

In order to consider payment for services rendered, VVF requires the following documentation:

A W9 Form completed
Itemized, detailed billing statement
Declaration page from homeowners/renters insurance (if applicable)
Declaration page from automobile insurance (if applicable)

Questions about the status of an account should be directed to Status@VirginiaVictimsFund.org.

Code of Virginia § 19.2-368.11:1(G) states that the Virginia Victims Fund is the payer of last resort. This statute requires claimants to exhaust all available collateral resources before VVF can make payment. The resources relevant in each claim depend on both the crime type and the resources available to the victim.

VVF can only pay for services after they are rendered. VVF never pre-authorizes payment of any expenses. However, providers may direct bill immediately after services are rendered.

Per the Code of Virginia, it is illegal for providers to place an account in collections that is under consideration at the Virginia Victims Fund.

§ 19.2-368.5:2. Effect of filing a claim; stay of debt collection activities by health care providers.

A. Whenever a person files a claim under this chapter, all health care providers, as defined in § 8.01-581.1 that have been given notice of a pending claim, shall refrain from all debt collection activities relating to medical treatment received by the person in connection with such claim until an award is made on the claim or until a claim is determined to be non-compensable pursuant to § 19.2-368.11:1. The statute of limitations for collection of such debt shall be tolled during the period in which the applicable health care provider is required to refrain from debt collection activities hereunder.

B. For the purpose of this section, "debt collection activities" means repeatedly calling or writing to the claimant and threatening either to turn the matter over to a debt collection agency or to an attorney for collection, enforcement or filing of other process. The term shall not include routine billing or inquiries about the status of the claim.