Law garden / Iowa
If you're Jane Doe in Iowa
What Iowa's crime victim compensation law says, in plain words. Each line links to the exact sentence it comes from.
Crime Victim Compensation Program, run by Iowa Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General, Crime Victim Assistance Division (Victim Assistance Section).
Show the law for this line: Crime Victim Compensation Facts (Iowa Attorney General FAQ page)
Crime Victim Compensation Facts (Iowa Attorney General FAQ page)IA-S2
The program's own page, saved by Tend.
- 2 yearsto apply, from the date it happenedIowa Code 915.84(1)
- Exam can countin place of a police reportIowa Admin. Code r. 61-9.29(4)(c)
- $0what a forensic exam should cost youIowa Admin. Code r. 61-9.84
What the program can pay for
Medical care
- Medical care is covered up to $25,000.
Show the law for this line: Iowa Admin. Code r. 61-9.35(1)(f)and 2 more
Iowa Admin. Code r. 61-9.35(1)(f)IA-MED-2
Medical costs of a pregnancy resulting from sexual abuse can be paid, counted under the medical benefit.
Compensation may be paid for medical care costs related to pregnancy resulting from the crime of sexual abuse.
Iowa Admin. Code r. 61-9.35(1)(g)IA-MED-3
Glasses, hearing aids, dentures, prosthetics, wheelchairs, and medication taken, lost, or destroyed in the crime can be replaced.
Compensation may be paid for the replacement of a medical device including but not limited to a sight or hearing device, dentures, a prosthetic device, a wheelchair, and medication that was taken, lost or destroyed during the crime.
Iowa Code 915.86(1)IA-MED-1
Reasonable charges incurred for medical care not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars.
Counseling
- Mental health care for the victim is covered up to $5,000.
- Mental health care for a secondary victim (spouse, child, parent, sibling, or household member) is covered up to $2,000 each.
Show the law for this line: Iowa Code 915.86(1)and 1 more
Iowa Code 915.86(1)IA-COUNS-1
Reasonable charges incurred for mental health care not to exceed five thousand dollars
Iowa Code 915.86(12)IA-COUNS-2
The allowable charges under this subsection shall not exceed two thousand dollars per secondary victim.
Travel
- Travel to medical care, counseling, or court is covered up to $1,000 per person.
Show the law for this line: Iowa Admin. Code r. 61-9.35(17)(a)and 1 more
Iowa Admin. Code r. 61-9.35(17)(a)IA-TRANS-2
Driving your own car is paid at the state employee mileage rate.
Use of a privately owned vehicle shall be paid at the per-mile rate established by the department of administrative services for state employees using a private vehicle for state business.
Iowa Code 915.86(15)IA-TRANS-1
Reasonable expenses incurred by the victim, a secondary victim, the parent or guardian of a victim, or a survivor of a deceased victim for transportation to medical or counseling services, criminal justice proceedings, or a funeral, memorial, or burial service, not to exceed one thousand dollars per person.
Lost pay
- Wages lost because of the injury are covered up to $6,000.
- Wages lost to cooperate with the investigation or attend court are covered up to $1,000 per person.
Show the law for this line: Iowa Admin. Code r. 61-9.35(7)(a)and 4 more
Iowa Admin. Code r. 61-9.35(7)(a)IA-WAGES-3
Lost wages are figured from gross pay for scheduled hours missed, then reduced by 25 percent.
Lost wages are computed as the gross rate of pay multiplied by the number of scheduled hours of work missed, decreased by 25 percent
Iowa Admin. Code r. 61-9.35(8)IA-WAGES-4
Wages lost in the first two weeks after the crime need no disability statement; longer periods need one from a licensed medical or mental health provider.
Compensation for lost wages or income incurred within the first two weeks following the crime shall be paid to an eligible crime victim without an authorized disability statement.
Iowa Admin. Code r. 61-9.35(10)IA-WAGES-5
Wages lost for up to 30 days because of health or safety concerns about going to work after the crime, stalking, or harassment can be paid.
Compensation for lost wages or income shall be paid to an eligible crime victim for up to 30 days following an event that compromises the health or safety of the victim including but not limited to the approved crime, stalking, or harassment.
Iowa Code 915.86(2)IA-WAGES-1
Loss of income from work the victim would have performed and for which the victim would have received remuneration if the victim had not been injured, not to exceed six thousand dollars.
Iowa Code 915.86(4)IA-WAGES-2
Loss of income from work that the victim, the victim's parent or caretaker, or the survivor of a deceased victim would have performed and for which that person would have received remuneration, where the loss of income is a direct result of cooperation with the investigation and prosecution of the crime or attendance at criminal justice proceedings including the trial and sentencing in the case, or due to the planning of or attendance at a funeral, memorial, or burial service, not to exceed one thousand dollars per person.
Home security
- New or replacement locks, windows, and other home security items are covered up to $500 per residence.
Show the law for this line: Iowa Admin. Code r. 61-9.35(16)(b)and 1 more
Iowa Admin. Code r. 61-9.35(16)(b)IA-SEC-2
Doors, locks, windows, security cameras, and security systems can be paid under the security benefit.
Compensation may be paid for doors, locks, windows, security cameras, security systems or devices, or other reasonable expenses that provide for the safety of the victim or the security of the residence.
Iowa Code 915.86(14)IA-SEC-1
Reasonable crime-related expenses incurred by a victim, the victim's parent or caretaker, or a survivor of a deceased victim to replace inadequate or damaged locks, windows, and other residential security items or install new locks, windows, and other residential security items, not to exceed five hundred dollars per residence.
Moving
- Emergency relocation is covered up to $1,000 per person, once in a lifetime.
Show the law for this line: Iowa Code 915.80(5)and 1 more
Iowa Code 915.80(5)IA-RELOC-2
To count as emergency relocation, the move must happen within 30 days of the crime, its discovery, or when it could reasonably be reported, or within 30 days before or after the offender's release from incarceration.
"Emergency relocation" means a relocation that takes place within thirty days of the date of a crime or the discovery of a crime, or within thirty days after a crime could reasonably be reported. "Emergency relocation" also includes a relocation that takes place within the thirty days before or after an offender related to the crime is released from incarceration.
Iowa Code 915.86(16)IA-RELOC-1
Reasonable charges incurred by a victim, a secondary victim, a survivor of a deceased victim, or by a victim service program on behalf of a victim, for emergency relocation expenses, not to exceed one thousand dollars per person per lifetime.
Temporary housing
- The statute allows up to 3 months of housing assistance, up to $2,000 per person per lifetime, but the program's facts page lists this benefit as currently unavailable.
Show the law for this line: Iowa Code 915.86(17)
Iowa Code 915.86(17)IA-HOUSING-1
Reasonable expenses incurred by a victim, or by a victim service program on behalf of a victim, for up to three months of housing assistance, not to exceed two thousand dollars per person per lifetime.
Child care
- Child or dependent care while attending court, medical, or counseling appointments is covered up to $1,000 per person.
Show the law for this line: Iowa Code 915.86(13)
Iowa Code 915.86(13)IA-CHILD-1
Reasonable dependent care expenses incurred by the victim, the victim's parent or caretaker, or the survivor of a deceased victim for the care of dependents while attending criminal justice proceedings, medical or counseling services, or funeral, burial, or memorial services, not to exceed one thousand dollars per person.
Clothing and bedding
- Clothing kept as evidence is replaced up to $200.
Show the law for this line: Iowa Admin. Code r. 61-9.35(13)and 1 more
Iowa Admin. Code r. 61-9.35(13)IA-CLOTH-2
Clothing and bedding held as evidence by police can be paid for.
Compensation may be paid for clothing and bedding held as evidence by law enforcement.
Iowa Code 915.86(5)IA-CLOTH-1
Reasonable replacement value of clothing that is held for evidentiary purposes not to exceed two hundred dollars.
Crime scene cleanup
- Cleaning the crime scene is covered up to $1,000 per scene.
Show the law for this line: Iowa Code 915.86(11)
Iowa Code 915.86(11)IA-CLEAN-1
Reasonable expenses incurred by the victim, secondary victim, or survivor of a deceased victim for cleaning the scene of a crime, not to exceed one thousand dollars per crime scene.
Funeral costs
- Funeral and burial costs are covered up to $7,500.
Show the law for this line: Iowa Code 915.86(6)
Iowa Code 915.86(6)IA-FUN-1
Reasonable funeral and burial expenses not to exceed seven thousand five hundred dollars.
What it does not pay for
Lost or damaged property (for example a phone or other belongings) is not paid, nor are legal fees, phone bills, meals, or pain and suffering.
Show the law for this line: Iowa AG, Crime Victim Compensation Facts page
Iowa AG, Crime Victim Compensation Facts pageIA-EXCL-1
The program cannot pay for property loss, property repair, legal fees, phone bills, meals, or pain and suffering.
Read this sentence on iowaattorneygeneral.gov (opens in a new tab)
Legal fees are not covered.
Show the law for this line: Iowa AG, Crime Victim Compensation Facts page
Iowa AG, Crime Victim Compensation Facts pageIA-EXCL-2
The program does not cover property crime, property loss, legal fees, phone bills, meals, or pain and suffering.
Read this sentence on iowaattorneygeneral.gov (opens in a new tab)
Phone bills, meals, and pain and suffering are not covered.
Show the law for this line: Iowa AG, Crime Victim Compensation Facts page
Iowa AG, Crime Victim Compensation Facts pageIA-EXCL-3
The program does not cover property crime, property loss, legal fees, phone bills, meals, or pain and suffering.
Read this sentence on iowaattorneygeneral.gov (opens in a new tab)
Pregnancy care for the victim is covered, but care for a newborn child is not.
Show the law for this line: Iowa Admin. Code r. 61-9.35(1)(f)
Iowa Admin. Code r. 61-9.35(1)(f)IA-EXCL-4
Expenses incurred for the care of a newborn child are not compensable.
The forensic exam
You should not get a bill for a sexual assault forensic exam.
Show the law for this line: Iowa Admin. Code r. 61-9.84and 1 more
Iowa Admin. Code r. 61-9.84IA-EXAM-1
A provider may not bill the survivor or the survivor's insurance for any cost of a sexual abuse exam that the state program finds eligible.
A victim of sexual abuse is not responsible for the payment of the costs of a sexual abuse examination determined to be eligible for payment by the department. A medical provider must not submit any costs associated with a sexual abuse examination to a victim's insurance or to the sexual abuse victim.
Iowa Admin. Code r. 61-9.84IA-EXAM-2
After the exam program pays, the provider may not send the survivor a bill for any leftover balance.
A medical provider must not submit any remaining balance to the sexual abuse victim after the sexual abuse examination program has determined payment.
The provider should not bill your insurance for it either.
Show the law for this line: Iowa Admin. Code r. 61-9.84and 1 more
Iowa Admin. Code r. 61-9.84IA-EXAM-1
A provider may not bill the survivor or the survivor's insurance for any cost of a sexual abuse exam that the state program finds eligible.
A victim of sexual abuse is not responsible for the payment of the costs of a sexual abuse examination determined to be eligible for payment by the department. A medical provider must not submit any costs associated with a sexual abuse examination to a victim's insurance or to the sexual abuse victim.
Iowa Admin. Code r. 61-9.84IA-EXAM-2
After the exam program pays, the provider may not send the survivor a bill for any leftover balance.
A medical provider must not submit any remaining balance to the sexual abuse victim after the sexual abuse examination program has determined payment.
The state's crime victim compensation fund pays for the evidence-gathering exam and for treatment to prevent sexually transmitted infections.
Show the law for this line: Iowa Code 915.41(1)
Iowa Code 915.41(1)IA-EXAM-3
The cost of a medical examination of a victim for the purpose of gathering evidence and the cost of treatment of a victim for the purpose of preventing venereal disease shall be paid from the fund established in section 915.94.
The state pays for the exam even if the survivor does not report to police.
Show the law for this line: Iowa AG, Sexual Assault Examination Payment Program page
Iowa AG, Sexual Assault Examination Payment Program pageIA-EXAM-4
The State of Iowa pays for the sexual assault examination regardless of whether the victim reports the crime to law enforcement.
Read this sentence on iowaattorneygeneral.gov (opens in a new tab)
If a survivor was billed by mistake and paid for the evidence collection, the program pays the survivor back.
Show the law for this line: Iowa AG, Sexual Assault Examination Payment Program page
Iowa AG, Sexual Assault Examination Payment Program pageIA-EXAM-5
In the event that a victim is erroneously billed and pays for the cost of the evidence collection, the program will reimburse that victim.
Read this sentence on iowaattorneygeneral.gov (opens in a new tab)
Police report
The program asks for a police report. The rules below say when other records can count instead, like a forensic exam or medical or counseling records.
Show the law for this line: Iowa Code 915.84(3)and 1 more
Iowa Code 915.84(3)IA-REPORT-1
The crime must be reported to police or the sheriff within 72 hours, or within 72 hours of when a report could reasonably be made. The program may waive this for good cause.
A person is not eligible for compensation unless the crime was reported to the local police department or county sheriff department within seventy-two hours of its occurrence. If the crime cannot reasonably be reported within that time period, the crime shall have been reported within seventy-two hours of the time a report can reasonably be made. The department may waive this requirement if good cause is shown.
Iowa Admin. Code r. 61-9.29(4)(c)IA-REPORT-2
For sexual abuse, the 72-hour police report rule may be waived for good cause if a forensic exam was done within 72 hours or the survivor told a medical provider, mental health professional, or victim service provider.
For a victim of sexual abuse, the 72-hour reporting requirement may be waived for good cause if a sexual abuse evidentiary examination was completed within 72 hours of the crime or if the crime was disclosed to another provider including but not limited to a licensed medical provider, a licensed mental health professional, or a designated victim service provider.
The crime must be reported to police or the sheriff within 72 hours, or within 72 hours of when a report could reasonably be made. The program may waive this for good cause.
Show the law for this line: Iowa Code 915.84(3)
Iowa Code 915.84(3)IA-REPORT-1
A person is not eligible for compensation unless the crime was reported to the local police department or county sheriff department within seventy-two hours of its occurrence. If the crime cannot reasonably be reported within that time period, the crime shall have been reported within seventy-two hours of the time a report can reasonably be made. The department may waive this requirement if good cause is shown.
For sexual abuse, the 72-hour police report rule may be waived for good cause if a forensic exam was done within 72 hours or the survivor told a medical provider, mental health professional, or victim service provider.
Show the law for this line: Iowa Admin. Code r. 61-9.29(4)(c)
Iowa Admin. Code r. 61-9.29(4)(c)IA-REPORT-2
For a victim of sexual abuse, the 72-hour reporting requirement may be waived for good cause if a sexual abuse evidentiary examination was completed within 72 hours of the crime or if the crime was disclosed to another provider including but not limited to a licensed medical provider, a licensed mental health professional, or a designated victim service provider.
Deadline to apply
Apply within 2 years of the date it happened.
Show the law for this line: Iowa Code 915.84(1)
Iowa Code 915.84(1)IA-DEADLINE-1
Apply within two years of the crime or its discovery. The program can waive the deadline for good cause.
file the application with the department within two years after the date of the crime, the discovery of the crime, or the date of death of the victim. The department may waive the time limitation if good cause is shown.
Keeping your name and address private
Iowa's Safe at Home program, run by the Secretary of State, gives survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, trafficking, stalking, and assault a substitute address and mail forwarding so their real address stays off public records. It also offers confidential voter registration and absentee voting.
Show the law for this line: Safe at Home home page, program description (Who)
Safe at Home home page, program description (Who)IA-ACP-1
Safe at Home is an address confidentiality program that provides participants with a substitute address. Who Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, stalking, and assault.
Read this sentence on safeathome.iowa.gov (opens in a new tab)
Confidential information the compensation program collects to process a claim, such as medical and counseling records that are confidential under Iowa's public records law, stays confidential in the program's hands. Iowa law does not say the claim file as a whole is exempt from public records requests.
Show the law for this line: Iowa Code 915.90(1)
Iowa Code 915.90(1)IA-RECCONF-1
Information and records which are confidential under section 22.7 and information or records received from the confidential information or records remain confidential under this section.
How to apply
Online www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov
Show the law for this line: Application brochure, To Apply for Crime Victim Compensation panel
Application brochure, To Apply for Crime Victim Compensation panelIA-SUBMIT-1
Apply online starting from the Attorney General's site; its online application page links to the program's portal, where you create an account to file.
Apply online by visiting www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov.
Open the source on iowaattorneygeneral.gov (opens in a new tab)
Mail Office of the Attorney General of Iowa Victim Assistance Section Hoover Building, First Floor 1305 E Walnut Street Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Show the law for this line: ccvcia.org home page, Contact Us
ccvcia.org home page, Contact UsIA-SUBMIT-2
Send the paper application and signed forms to the Victim Assistance Section at the Hoover Building in Des Moines.
Office of the Attorney General of Iowa Victim Assistance Section Hoover Building, First Floor 1305 E Walnut Street Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Phone 1-800-373-5044
Show the law for this line: Crime Victim Compensation Facts (Iowa Attorney General FAQ page)
Crime Victim Compensation Facts (Iowa Attorney General FAQ page)IA-S2
The program's own page, saved by Tend.
If you need money soon
An emergency payment of up to $500 is possible when waiting would cause undue hardship. It is later subtracted from the final award.
Show the law for this line: Iowa Code 915.91
Iowa Code 915.91IA-EMERG-1
If the department determines that compensation may be made and that undue hardship may result to the person if partial immediate payment is not made, the department may order emergency compensation to be paid to the person, not to exceed five hundred dollars.
Good to know before you apply
The crime must have happened in Iowa. The victim does not need to be an Iowa resident.
Show the law for this line: Iowa Code 915.80(2)
Iowa Code 915.80(2)IA-RES-1
"Crime" means conduct that occurs or is attempted in this state, poses a substantial threat of personal injury or death, and is punishable as a felony or misdemeanor
Under the statute, an Iowa resident hurt in another state can apply to Iowa if that state has no eligible compensation program. The program's administrative rules go further (see the next residency rule).
Show the law for this line: Iowa Code 915.85(4)
Iowa Code 915.85(4)IA-RES-2
To a victim of an act committed outside this state who is a resident of this state, if the act would be compensable had it occurred within this state and the act occurred in a state that does not have an eligible crime victim compensation program
An Iowa resident hurt outside Iowa can apply if the place where it happened has no compensation program or one with insufficient or inadequate benefits, or if it happened on a plane in flight or on waters outside any state's jurisdiction.
Show the law for this line: Iowa Admin. Code r. 61-9.26 (definition of "Applicant", item 3)
Iowa Admin. Code r. 61-9.26 (definition of "Applicant", item 3)IA-RES-3
A resident of Iowa who is the victim of an act that would be compensable had it occurred within the state of Iowa and any of the following apply: The act occurred in a state or foreign country that does not have a victim compensation program as defined in the federal law; The act occurred in a state or foreign country whose victim compensation program has insufficient or inadequate benefits; or The act occurred on an aircraft while in flight or occurred on waters outside of the jurisdiction of any particular state or country.
Awards are reduced by money from the offender, insurance (including workers' compensation or unemployment), public funds, or an earlier emergency award.
Show the law for this line: Iowa Code 915.87(1)
Iowa Code 915.87(1)IA-COLL-1
Compensation shall be reduced by the amount of any payment received, or to be received, as a result of the injury or death: a. From or on behalf of a person who committed the crime or who is otherwise responsible for damages resulting from the crime. b. From an insurance payment or program, including but not limited to workers' compensation or unemployment compensation. c. From public funds. d. As an emergency award under section 915.91.
The program pays only after insurance, other government programs, and other sources.
Show the law for this line: Iowa AG, Crime Victim Compensation Facts page
Iowa AG, Crime Victim Compensation Facts pageIA-COLL-2
The program is the payer-of-last-resort after insurance, other government programs, and other sources.
Read this sentence on iowaattorneygeneral.gov (opens in a new tab)
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If you're Jane Doe in Iowa: you can ask to be paid back for costs like medical care and travel, and a forensic exam can count instead of a police report.
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