Law garden / Massachusetts
If you're Jane Doe in Massachusetts
What Massachusetts's crime victim compensation law says, in plain words. Each line links to the exact sentence it comes from.
Victim Compensation Program (Massachusetts Victims of Violent Crime Compensation), run by Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA).
Show the law for this line: Mass.gov, Massachusetts Victims of Violent Crime Compensation (MOVA program page)
Mass.gov, Massachusetts Victims of Violent Crime Compensation (MOVA program page)MA-S1
The program's own page, saved by Tend.
- $25,000the most you can ask for in totalM.G.L. c. 258C, s. 3(a)
- 3 yearsto apply, from the date it happenedM.G.L. c. 258C, s. 5(a)(1)
- Police reportthe program asks for one within 5 daysM.G.L. c. 258C, s. 2(b)
- $0what a forensic exam should cost youMA SANE Protocol, Section X (Victim compensation)
What the program can pay for
The most the program can pay for all costs together is $25,000.
Show the law for this line: M.G.L. c. 258C, s. 3(a)
M.G.L. c. 258C, s. 3(a)MA-CAP-1
The maximum award is $25,000 per claimant, or $50,000 for a catastrophic injury.
The maximum award for compensation to a claimant pursuant to this chapter shall be $25,000; provided, however, that the maximum award for compensation to a claimant with a catastrophic injury pursuant to this chapter shall be $50,000.
Read this sentence on malegislature.gov (opens in a new tab)
Medical care
Show the law for this line: 124 CMR 2.06(15)(b)and 1 more
124 CMR 2.06(15)(b)MA-EXAM-8
A survivor does not have to have a forensic exam for sexual assault medical expenses to be eligible under this section.
Victims are not required to receive a forensic sexual assault examination for expenses to be deemed eligible under this section.
M.G.L. c. 258C, s. 3(b)(2)(B)MA-COV-2
Physician, dental, ambulance and other medically necessary services caused by the crime are covered when the claimant shows an out-of-pocket loss or a legal liability to pay.
Expenses incurred for physician, dental, ambulance, or other medically necessary services or prosthetic devices as the direct result of injury to the victim shall be compensable in accordance with this chapter; provided however, that when claiming compensation for such expenses, the claimant must demonstrate an out-of-pocket loss or legal liability for payment of such expenses.
Read this sentence on malegislature.gov (opens in a new tab)
Counseling
Show the law for this line: M.G.L. c. 258C, s. 3(b)(2)(C)
M.G.L. c. 258C, s. 3(b)(2)(C)MA-COV-1
A victim, or a parent or guardian of a minor victim, can be compensated for reasonable mental health counseling obtained because of the crime.
A victim, parent or legal guardian of a victim who is a minor in accordance with section 4 or, where death results from the crime, the dependents and family members of the victim, shall be eligible for compensation for reasonable mental health counseling obtained as a result of the crime.
Read this sentence on malegislature.gov (opens in a new tab)
Prescriptions
Show the law for this line: MOVA, Applying for Victims of Violent Crime Assistance, What expenses are covered?
MOVA, Applying for Victims of Violent Crime Assistance, What expenses are covered?MA-COV-4
Medical and dental expenses, including equipment, supplies and medications, are listed as covered to the extent insurance or other funds do not pay.
Medical and dental expenses (including equipment, supplies and medications)
Dental care
Show the law for this line: M.G.L. c. 258C, s. 1 ("Medical care")
M.G.L. c. 258C, s. 1 ("Medical care")MA-COV-5
Dental care is part of compensable medical care.
"Medical care'', the medical, psychological, surgical, dental, optometric, chiropractic, podiatric and hospital care provided to a victim including, but not limited to, medicines, medical, dental and surgical supplies, crutches, artificial members and appliances and training in the use of artificial members and appliances.
Read this sentence on malegislature.gov (opens in a new tab)
Travel
Show the law for this line: 124 CMR 2.06(4)(b)
124 CMR 2.06(4)(b)MA-COV-6
Transportation to medical care is covered only for ambulance, chair car, dial-a-ride, taxi or rideshare costs.
Compensation for transportation costs incurred while obtaining medical care is limited to costs incurred for emergency and non-emergency ambulance service, chair car service, dial-a-ride, taxi, or ridesharing service obtained.
Lost pay
Show the law for this line: M.G.L. c. 258C, s. 3(b)(2)(D)
M.G.L. c. 258C, s. 3(b)(2)(D)MA-COV-3
A victim who was employed, or had a real job offer, can be compensated for lost earnings while medically disabled from work because of the crime, based on net earnings.
If the victim was employed or had received a bona fide employment offer at the time of the crime, the victim shall be eligible for compensation for loss of actual earnings due to disability from work as the result of injuries caused by the crime.
Read this sentence on malegislature.gov (opens in a new tab)
Home security
- A victim, or a family member living with the victim, can be compensated for security measures up to $3,000.
Show the law for this line: 124 CMR 2.06(13)(b)and 1 more
124 CMR 2.06(13)(b)MA-COV-7
Security measures can include doors, locks, exterior windows, security systems and reprogramming security codes.
Security measures may include but are not limited to, external and internal doors and locks, exterior windows and locks, security systems, and reprogramming security codes.
M.G.L. c. 258C, s. 3(b)(2)(I)MA-CAP-2
A victim or a family member residing with the victim at the time a crime is committed, shall be eligible for compensation for the costs associated with the implementation of security measures; provided, however, that the maximum compensable amount shall not exceed $3,000.
Read this sentence on malegislature.gov (opens in a new tab)
Clothing and bedding
- Clothing and bedding seized as evidence or ruined by the investigation can be replaced up to $250.
Show the law for this line: M.G.L. c. 258C, s. 3(b)(2)(H)
M.G.L. c. 258C, s. 3(b)(2)(H)MA-CAP-3
A victim shall be eligible for compensation for the reasonable replacement costs of clothing and bedding seized as evidence or rendered unusable as the result of a criminal investigation that is the direct result of a crime; provided, however, that the maximum compensable amount shall not exceed $250.
Read this sentence on malegislature.gov (opens in a new tab)
Crime scene cleanup
- Professional crime scene cleanup at a private residence or a victim's vehicle is capped at $1,500.
Show the law for this line: M.G.L. c. 258C, s. 3(b)(2)(G)
M.G.L. c. 258C, s. 3(b)(2)(G)MA-CAP-4
Expenses incurred for professional crime scene cleanup services necessary as the direct result of the commission of a crime at a private residence or in a motor vehicle that is owned or leased by a victim, family member or other dependent shall be compensable in accordance with this chapter; provided, however, that the maximum amount of compensation shall not exceed $1,500.
Read this sentence on malegislature.gov (opens in a new tab)
Legal help
- If an attorney helps with the claim, fees are paid at no more than $75 per hour, capped at 15% of the award, and come out of the award rather than on top of it.
Show the law for this line: 124 CMR 2.06(10)(b)
124 CMR 2.06(10)(b)MA-CAP-6
Attorneys shall be compensated at a rate of no more than $75 per hour. In no event shall an attorney's fee award exceed 15% of the total award for compensation.
Funeral costs
- Funeral and burial expenses are capped at $13,000.
Show the law for this line: M.G.L. c. 258C, s. 3(b)(1)(A)
M.G.L. c. 258C, s. 3(b)(1)(A)MA-CAP-5
The maximum award or compensation for funeral and burial expenses shall be $13,000.
Read this sentence on malegislature.gov (opens in a new tab)
What it does not pay for
The program page lists property losses, pain and suffering, and all other losses outside the covered list as not covered. The only property-type item on the covered list is replacement of clothing and bedding taken as evidence or ruined by the investigation.
Show the law for this line: MOVA, Applying for Victims of Violent Crime Assistance, What expenses are not covered?
MOVA, Applying for Victims of Violent Crime Assistance, What expenses are not covered?MA-EXCL-1
Property losses, compensation for pain and suffering, and all other losses
Bus or train fares, and mileage or parking for a personal car, are not reimbursed for trips to medical or mental health care.
Show the law for this line: 124 CMR 2.06(4)(b)
124 CMR 2.06(4)(b)MA-EXCL-2
It does not include compensation for public transportation, or mileage or parking when private transportation is used.
Counseling compensation may be denied for missed or cancelled appointments and for non-therapeutic court or investigative work by the provider.
Show the law for this line: 124 CMR 2.06(5)(f)
124 CMR 2.06(5)(f)MA-EXCL-3
Compensation for mental health counseling may be denied for expenses incurred in the following instances: 1. missed or cancelled appointments; 2. non-therapeutic testimonial court appearances by a health care provider; 3. non-therapeutic investigatory consultations; 4. photocopying and report writing;
The forensic exam
You should not get a bill for a sexual assault forensic exam.
Show the law for this line: MA SANE Protocol, Section X (Victim compensation)and 3 more
MA SANE Protocol, Section X (Victim compensation)MA-EXAM-1
Hospitals may not bill sexual assault exam patients for co-payments or other costs tied to their own health insurance; those amounts go to the state victim compensation program instead.
Hospitals may not bill patients for any co-payments or other patient-incurred costs related to their primary health insurance and those should be submitted to the VCAD.
MA SANE Protocol, Section X (Victim compensation)MA-EXAM-2
The patient's own health insurance is used for the exam only if the patient opts in; otherwise the hospital bills the victim compensation program directly.
While a patient’s primary health care can be used if the patient affirmatively opts in, direct billing to VCAD should be implemented for patients who have privacy/confidentiality or other concerns about their primary health insurance being billed.
MSAECK survivor brochure, Payment of Related ExpensesMA-EXAM-3
State guidance says a survivor who receives a forensic exam should not get a bill, including a co-pay, for the exam or the related hospital visit.
In Massachusetts, survivors of sexual violence who receive a forensic exam should not receive a bill (including co-pay) for the exam and/or hospital visit related to the assault.
Coverage and Billing Procedures for Sexual Assault Exams in Massachusetts (2018), If a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam is AdministeredMA-EXAM-4
Covered emergency department exam expenses, including co-payments, co-insurance and deductibles, should never be billed to the survivor.
The expenses outlined below, including the applicable co-payment, co-insurance, and/or deductible, should never be billed to the survivor.
The provider can bill your insurance for it only if you agree.
Show the law for this line: MA SANE Protocol, Section X (Victim compensation)and 3 more
MA SANE Protocol, Section X (Victim compensation)MA-EXAM-1
Hospitals may not bill sexual assault exam patients for co-payments or other costs tied to their own health insurance; those amounts go to the state victim compensation program instead.
Hospitals may not bill patients for any co-payments or other patient-incurred costs related to their primary health insurance and those should be submitted to the VCAD.
MA SANE Protocol, Section X (Victim compensation)MA-EXAM-2
The patient's own health insurance is used for the exam only if the patient opts in; otherwise the hospital bills the victim compensation program directly.
While a patient’s primary health care can be used if the patient affirmatively opts in, direct billing to VCAD should be implemented for patients who have privacy/confidentiality or other concerns about their primary health insurance being billed.
MSAECK survivor brochure, Payment of Related ExpensesMA-EXAM-3
State guidance says a survivor who receives a forensic exam should not get a bill, including a co-pay, for the exam or the related hospital visit.
In Massachusetts, survivors of sexual violence who receive a forensic exam should not receive a bill (including co-pay) for the exam and/or hospital visit related to the assault.
Coverage and Billing Procedures for Sexual Assault Exams in Massachusetts (2018), If a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam is AdministeredMA-EXAM-4
Covered emergency department exam expenses, including co-payments, co-insurance and deductibles, should never be billed to the survivor.
The expenses outlined below, including the applicable co-payment, co-insurance, and/or deductible, should never be billed to the survivor.
Medical care given in response to a sexual assault report, including the forensic exam and surrounding medical care, is compensable, and providers may bill the program directly. The same section says ambulance, inpatient care after the kit, and follow-up visits may not be covered through direct billing; the survivor can still claim those through their own application.
Show the law for this line: 124 CMR 2.06(15)
124 CMR 2.06(15)MA-EXAM-5
Expenses incurred for medical care in response to reports in accordance with 124 CMR 2.04 and 2.05(1)(d), including the provision of forensic sexual assault examinations and/or surrounding medical care shall be compensable.
Exam payments do not count toward the survivor's maximum award for other crime-related expenses.
Show the law for this line: 124 CMR 2.06(15)(g)
124 CMR 2.06(15)(g)MA-EXAM-6
To ensure compliance with 28 CFR § 90.13 requiring states to provide forensic sexual assault examinations without cost to the victim, compensation paid in this section will not be considered toward the maximum award for victim's other related claims.
Police report
The program asks for a police report. The rules below say when other records can count instead, like a protective order or medical or counseling records.
Show the law for this line: M.G.L. c. 258C, s. 2(b)and 5 more
M.G.L. c. 258C, s. 2(b)MA-REPORT-1
The crime must be reported within five days unless the agency finds good cause for the delay. Victims under 18 are not held to the five-day limit.
Except in the case where the agency finds such report to have been delayed for good cause, such report shall have been made within five days after the occurrence of such crime; provided, however, that a claimant who was a victim under 18 years of age shall not be required to file such report within 5 days.
Read this sentence on malegislature.gov (opens in a new tab)
124 CMR 2.05(4)(d)MA-REPORT-2
A Provider Sexual Crime Report filed by a medical provider counts as a report to law enforcement.
Reports to local law enforcement, via a Provider Sexual Crime Report (PSCR), in accordance with M.G.L. c. 112, § 12A½, shall constitute a report to law enforcement authorities.
124 CMR 2.05(4)(c)MA-REPORT-3
Applying to a court for a restraining or harassment prevention order with a supporting affidavit, or applying for a criminal complaint, counts as a report to law enforcement.
The reporting of a crime to a court through a citizen application for a restraining order under M.G.L. c. 209A, and M.G.L. c. 258E, accompanied by an affidavit in support of the application for protection, or through a citizen application for a criminal complaint, shall constitute a report to law enforcement authorities.
124 CMR 2.05(4)(e)MA-REPORT-4
Telling a rape crisis center, private security, or the agency itself does not count as a report to law enforcement.
Reports to private security personnel, rape crisis centers, or the Agency do not constitute reports to law enforcement authorities.
124 CMR 2.05(5)(b)-(c)MA-REPORT-5
Good cause for a late report includes physical or psychological incapacity, or reasonable fear for the safety of the victim or others.
Good cause for delay shall include delay caused by physical or psychological incapacity which prevented the making of a report; or by (c) reasonable fear of safety for themselves or others.
124 CMR 2.05(4)(b)MA-REPORT-6
For a minor victim, a report to the Department of Children and Families under the state's mandated child abuse reporting law counts as a report for compensation purposes.
Crimes involving minor victims may be reported to the Department of Children and Families pursuant to the reporting requirements of M.G.L. c. 119, § 51A.
Victim compensation can cover the forensic exam and other emergency department costs whether or not the survivor reports to police.
Show the law for this line: MA SANE Protocol, Section X (Direct billing process)
MA SANE Protocol, Section X (Direct billing process)MA-EXAM-7
Victim’s Compensation may be used to cover the cost of forensic exam/evidence collection and other emergency department expenses whether or not they choose to report their assault to police.
The crime must be reported within five days unless the agency finds good cause for the delay. Victims under 18 are not held to the five-day limit.
Show the law for this line: M.G.L. c. 258C, s. 2(b)
M.G.L. c. 258C, s. 2(b)MA-REPORT-1
Except in the case where the agency finds such report to have been delayed for good cause, such report shall have been made within five days after the occurrence of such crime; provided, however, that a claimant who was a victim under 18 years of age shall not be required to file such report within 5 days.
Read this sentence on malegislature.gov (opens in a new tab)
A Provider Sexual Crime Report filed by a medical provider counts as a report to law enforcement.
Show the law for this line: 124 CMR 2.05(4)(d)
124 CMR 2.05(4)(d)MA-REPORT-2
Reports to local law enforcement, via a Provider Sexual Crime Report (PSCR), in accordance with M.G.L. c. 112, § 12A½, shall constitute a report to law enforcement authorities.
Applying to a court for a restraining or harassment prevention order with a supporting affidavit, or applying for a criminal complaint, counts as a report to law enforcement.
Show the law for this line: 124 CMR 2.05(4)(c)
124 CMR 2.05(4)(c)MA-REPORT-3
The reporting of a crime to a court through a citizen application for a restraining order under M.G.L. c. 209A, and M.G.L. c. 258E, accompanied by an affidavit in support of the application for protection, or through a citizen application for a criminal complaint, shall constitute a report to law enforcement authorities.
Telling a rape crisis center, private security, or the agency itself does not count as a report to law enforcement.
Show the law for this line: 124 CMR 2.05(4)(e)
124 CMR 2.05(4)(e)MA-REPORT-4
Reports to private security personnel, rape crisis centers, or the Agency do not constitute reports to law enforcement authorities.
Good cause for a late report includes physical or psychological incapacity, or reasonable fear for the safety of the victim or others.
Show the law for this line: 124 CMR 2.05(5)(b)-(c)
124 CMR 2.05(5)(b)-(c)MA-REPORT-5
Good cause for delay shall include delay caused by physical or psychological incapacity which prevented the making of a report; or by (c) reasonable fear of safety for themselves or others.
For a minor victim, a report to the Department of Children and Families under the state's mandated child abuse reporting law counts as a report for compensation purposes.
Show the law for this line: 124 CMR 2.05(4)(b)
124 CMR 2.05(4)(b)MA-REPORT-6
Crimes involving minor victims may be reported to the Department of Children and Families pursuant to the reporting requirements of M.G.L. c. 119, § 51A.
Deadline to apply
Apply within 3 years of the date it happened.
Show the law for this line: M.G.L. c. 258C, s. 5(a)(1)
M.G.L. c. 258C, s. 5(a)(1)MA-DEAD-1
A claim must be filed within three years of the date of the crime.
A claim for compensation under this chapter shall be filed within three years of the date of the crime.
Read this sentence on malegislature.gov (opens in a new tab)
If the victim was a minor, the three-year filing period does not start until the victim turns 18.
Show the law for this line: 124 CMR 2.05(7)(a)
124 CMR 2.05(7)(a)MA-DEAD-2
The three-year filing period shall not commence until the victim reaches the age of 18.
If the claimant did not discover the crime until more than three years after it happened, the period starts at discovery, but only if there was a criminal complaint, indictment or other probable cause finding.
Show the law for this line: 124 CMR 2.05(7)(c)
124 CMR 2.05(7)(c)MA-DEAD-3
If the claimant did not discover the act which constitutes a crime until more than three years after the crime was committed, the filing period shall not commence until the claimant discovered, or reasonably should have discovered, the act which constitutes a crime; provided, however, that in such cases, the crime for which the claimant seeks compensation must have resulted in the issuance of a criminal complaint or indictment, or any other judicial or administrative determination of probable cause that an act constituting a crime has occurred.
Keeping your name and address private
The Address Confidentiality Program, run by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, gives survivors of sexual assault, rape, domestic violence and stalking a protected mail-forwarding address to use with state and municipal agencies so their real address stays out of public records.
Show the law for this line: Secretary of the Commonwealth, Address Confidentiality Program page, introduction
Secretary of the Commonwealth, Address Confidentiality Program page, introductionMA-ACP-1
The Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) protects survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, rape, and stalking as well as some legally protected healthcare providers. Survivors often move to get away from perpetrators of violence. The Address Confidentiality Program makes their new address harder to find. The ACP is a mail forwarding service that gives you a protected address to use with state and municipal agencies.
MOVA's regulation says all information it receives or keeps about a compensation claim is confidential and privileged, and anyone who gets those records from the agency may not disclose them.
Show the law for this line: 124 CMR 2.09, Confidentiality of Records
124 CMR 2.09, Confidentiality of RecordsMA-RECORDS-1
All information received, obtained or maintained by the Agency in connection with any claim for crime victim compensation shall be confidential and privileged.
How to apply
Email VCCorrespondence@state.ma.us
Show the law for this line: MOVA Application for Victim Compensation (2026, English), page 4, after section 9 (Acknowledgement)
MOVA Application for Victim Compensation (2026, English), page 4, after section 9 (Acknowledgement)MA-SUB-3
The signed application can be emailed to the Victim Compensation correspondence address printed on the form.
Return signed and completed application via mail, fax, or email to: Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance One Ashburton Place, Suite 1310 Boston, MA 02108 Phone: (617) 586-1340 Fax: (617) 742-6262 Email: VCCorrespondence@state.ma.us
Mail Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance, One Ashburton Place, Suite 1310, Boston, MA 02108
Show the law for this line: MOVA Application for Victim Compensation (2026, English), page 4, after section 9 (Acknowledgement)
MOVA Application for Victim Compensation (2026, English), page 4, after section 9 (Acknowledgement)MA-SUB-1
The signed application can be mailed to the MOVA office in Boston.
Return signed and completed application via mail, fax, or email to: Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance One Ashburton Place, Suite 1310 Boston, MA 02108
Fax (617) 742-6262
Show the law for this line: MOVA Application for Victim Compensation (2026, English), page 4, after section 9 (Acknowledgement)
MOVA Application for Victim Compensation (2026, English), page 4, after section 9 (Acknowledgement)MA-SUB-2
The signed application can be faxed to the MOVA Victim Compensation fax line.
Return signed and completed application via mail, fax, or email to: Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance One Ashburton Place, Suite 1310 Boston, MA 02108 Phone: (617) 586-1340 Fax: (617) 742-6262
Phone 617-586-1340
Show the law for this line: Mass.gov, Massachusetts Victims of Violent Crime Compensation (MOVA program page)
Mass.gov, Massachusetts Victims of Violent Crime Compensation (MOVA program page)MA-S1
The program's own page, saved by Tend.
Good to know before you apply
The program covers crimes that happen in Massachusetts, and acts of terrorism outside the United States against a Massachusetts resident.
Show the law for this line: M.G.L. c. 258C, s. 1 ("Crime")
M.G.L. c. 258C, s. 1 ("Crime")MA-RES-1
Crime shall apply to an act occurring within the commonwealth, and to an act of terrorism, as defined in 18 USC section 2331, occurring outside the United States or territories against a resident of the commonwealth.
Read this sentence on malegislature.gov (opens in a new tab)
A Massachusetts resident victimized in another state is covered only when that state has no compensation program the resident would qualify for.
Show the law for this line: 124 CMR 2.03 (Crime)
124 CMR 2.03 (Crime)MA-RES-2
The word "crime" shall also apply to an act which occurs against a resident of the Commonwealth in a state which does not have a crime victim compensation program for which a resident of the Commonwealth would be eligible.
The program pays only for losses not covered by insurance, public benefits, restitution, civil suits or institutional gifts.
Show the law for this line: M.G.L. c. 258C, s. 10
M.G.L. c. 258C, s. 10MA-COLL-1
No compensation shall be awarded or paid unless the out-of-pocket expenses or legal liability of the claimant for services rendered as the result of the crime exceeds any and all of the amounts received, applied for, or to be applied for as the result of the crime from any of the following or any combination of the following:
Read this sentence on malegislature.gov (opens in a new tab)
Crowdfunding raised for a victim does not have to be reported and is not treated as a source that must be used first.
Show the law for this line: 124 CMR 2.08(2)(g)
124 CMR 2.08(2)(g)MA-COLL-2
Claimants have no obligation to notify the Agency of crowd funding dollars raised on their behalf, as this funding will not be considered as a source of payment that must be exhausted
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If you're Jane Doe in Massachusetts: you can ask for up to $25,000, and you should never get a bill for a forensic exam.
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