Who is Eligible

A person must be a victim of a qualifying crime involving physical injury or death to qualify for compensation. For certain crimes, emotional injury alone is all that needs to be sustained. Certain family members or other loved ones of deceased victims may also qualify.

Criteria:

THE VICTIM:
  • must cooperate with law-enforcement agencies and the courts
  • was not involved in illegal activity which caused the crime
  • did not provoke or willingly take part in the crime
THE CRIME:
  • was committed in Virginia, or a country where Virginia residents are not eligible for compensation
  • was reported to a law-enforcement agency within 120 hours (5 days), unless there is good reason for the delay

For assistance with applying or if you feel you do not meet the eligibility requirements, please click here for local and online resources available in your area.

The application must be filed within 1 year of the crime incident. If more than a year has passed, please include a letter explaining the delay in filing the application.

If a victim is 18 years or older, and they are not incapacitated, they must file their own application, even if they were a minor at the time of the crime.

If the victim was under the age of 18, the victim has until 10 years after their 18th birthday or legal emancipation to file a claim.

If a victim is a minor or an incapacitated adult, the clamant must be a natural parent or legal guardian. If the claimant is not the parent, documentation to prove guardianship is required.

Hospitals, physicians, and funeral homes cannot complete applications on behalf of their patients or clients.

 

Crimes covered by VVF include but are not limited to:
  • Abduction
  • Arson
  • Assault
  • Child Abuse
  • Convictions of Driving While Intoxicated
  • Breaking & Entering
  • Felony Convictions of Hit and Run
  • Homicide
  • Human Trafficking
  • Robbery
  • Carjacking
  • Sexual Assault
  • Stalking
  • Terrorism
  • Domestic Assault
  • Bullying
  • Elder Abuse
  • Hate Crime
  • Mass Violence
  • Other crimes that result in physical injury to the victim
Crimes NOT covered by VVF:
  • Reckless driving
  • Misdemeanor hit and run
  • Traffic offenses
  • Violation of protective order

 

  • Law enforcement officers engaged in performance of their duties
  • A person who is criminally responsible for the crime upon which a claim is based, or an accomplice or accessory of such person
  • A person is not eligible if he is a criminally responsible person who would unjustly benefit from an award
  • Persons who do not cooperate with a law enforcement agency in the apprehension and conviction of a criminal committing the crime