Law garden / Rhode Island
If you're Jane Doe in Rhode Island
What Rhode Island's crime victim compensation law says, in plain words. Each line links to the exact sentence it comes from.
Crime Victim Compensation Program (CVCP), run by Rhode Island Office of the General Treasurer.
Show the law for this line: Crime Victim Compensation Program page and FAQ, Office of the General Treasurer
Crime Victim Compensation Program page and FAQ, Office of the General TreasurerRI-S8
The program's own page, saved by Tend.
- $25,000the most you can ask for in totalR.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-22(b)
- 3 yearsto apply, from the date it happenedR.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-22(a)
- Exam can countin place of a police reportR.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-22(a)
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: R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-22(b)
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-22(b)RI-CAP-1
The total award to a victim cannot exceed $25,000 (plus any attorney fees awarded on appeal).
No compensation shall be awarded under this chapter to the victim, or in the case of death to dependent relatives or to the legal representative, in a total amount in excess of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000)
Read this sentence on webserver.rilegislature.gov (opens in a new tab)
Medical care
Show the law for this line: R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-17(7)(i)(A)and 1 more
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-17(7)(i)(A)RI-MED-1
Medical expenses, including psychiatric care, that no other source pays are covered.
Medical expenses (including psychiatric care) for which the victim is not compensated by any other source;
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R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-19(h)RI-MED-2
When the program pays a medical provider, the provider must accept that as full payment and cannot charge the victim more.
Medical service providers shall be required to accept these awards as full payment for services rendered and shall be prohibited from assessing any additional charges against the victim or secondary victim.
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Counseling
- Individual sessions with a licensed psychiatrist are paid at up to $130 per hour.
- Individual sessions with a licensed clinical psychologist are paid at up to $110 per hour.
- Individual sessions with a licensed clinical social worker, mental health nurse, marriage and family therapist, or psychiatric clinical nurse specialist are paid at up to $90 per hour.
Show the law for this line: 120-RICR-00-00-2.8(A)(3)(a)and 3 more
120-RICR-00-00-2.8(A)(3)(a)RI-COUNSEL-1
Mental health counseling and psychiatric care caused by the crime are covered.
A victim shall be eligible for compensation for reasonable and necessary mental health counseling and psychiatric care expenses that have been actually and reasonably incurred as a direct result of the crime.
120-RICR-00-00-2.8(A)(3)(e)(1)RI-COUNSEL-2
$130 per hour is reimbursed for individual services provided by a licensed psychiatrist;
120-RICR-00-00-2.8(A)(3)(e)(2)RI-COUNSEL-3
$110 per hour is reimbursed for individual services provided by a licensed clinical psychologist;
120-RICR-00-00-2.8(A)(3)(e)(3)RI-COUNSEL-4
$90 per hour is reimbursed for individual services provided by a licensed clinical social worker, mental health nurse, marriage and family therapist (MFT), or clinical nurse specialist with a specialty in psychiatric mental health nursing;
Dental care
Show the law for this line: CVCP FAQ, "What expenses are eligible for reimbursement?"
CVCP FAQ, "What expenses are eligible for reimbursement?"RI-DENTAL-1
Dental expenses are among the covered expense types.
Medical, dental and counseling expenses
Travel
- Travel and overnight stays to get medical care or counseling or to attend court are capped at $1,000 per claim (the administrator may waive the cap for good cause).
Show the law for this line: 120-RICR-00-00-2.8(A)(14)(a)(1)
120-RICR-00-00-2.8(A)(14)(a)(1)RI-TRAVEL-1
An award for reasonable and necessary travel expenses and overnight accommodation shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) per claim.
Lost pay
Show the law for this line: R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-17(7)(i)(C)and 1 more
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-17(7)(i)(C)RI-WAGES-1
Lost earnings that no other source replaces are covered.
Loss of past earnings for which the victim is not compensated by any other source;
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120-RICR-00-00-2.8(A)(4)(b)RI-WAGES-2
Lost earnings for injuries on or after January 1, 2022 are figured at 62% of gross earnings.
All net earnings for injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2022 are calculated based on 62% of the victim’s gross earnings.
Home security
- Safety modifications to the home are capped at $1,000 and cannot be paid on top of an emergency relocation award.
Show the law for this line: R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-21.1(f)
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-21.1(f)RI-SECURITY-1
An award for expenses associated with reasonable modifications to the victim’s residence necessary to ensure victim safety shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) and shall not be awarded in addition to an award for emergency compensation for relocation costs.
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Moving
Show the law for this line: 120-RICR-00-00-2.8(A)(12)
120-RICR-00-00-2.8(A)(12)RI-RELOC-1
Temporary or permanent relocation costs of a victim can be covered.
The Administrator may issue an award for expenses resulting from the temporary or permanent relocation of a victim
What it does not pay for
Property losses are not covered.
Show the law for this line: 120-RICR-00-00-2.8(A)(1)(h)
120-RICR-00-00-2.8(A)(1)(h)RI-EXCL-1
Property losses are not compensable expenses.
Pain and suffering is not paid for crimes on or after September 1, 1999.
Show the law for this line: 120-RICR-00-00-2.8(A)(8)
120-RICR-00-00-2.8(A)(8)RI-EXCL-2
any claims involving crimes resulting in personal injury or death which occurred on or after September 1, 1999 would not be eligible for an award for pain and suffering.
The forensic exam
The Attorney General's bill of rights says survivors can be compensated for the cost of the forensic exam even if they do not report to police or cooperate with an investigation. It does not say the hospital cannot bill the survivor first.
Show the law for this line: Sexual Assault Victims Bill of Rights (R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-98-5), "Your right to obtain a medical examination"
Sexual Assault Victims Bill of Rights (R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-98-5), "Your right to obtain a medical examination"RI-EXAM-1
Victims are eligible to receive compensation for the cost of their forensic sexual assault examination, regardless of whether or not they report the assault to law enforcement and/or cooperate with any investigation or prosecution.
Police report
The program asks for a police report. The rules below say when other records can count instead, like a forensic exam or a protective order.
Show the law for this line: R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-22(a)and 4 more
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-22(a)RI-REPORT-1
The crime must be reported to police within 15 days, but the office may allow a claim without a police report when a sexual assault survivor had a medical forensic exam within 15 days of the crime.
no compensation shall be awarded for an injury or death resulting from a crime that was not reported to the appropriate law enforcement authority within fifteen (15) days of its occurrence; provided, that the office shall have the authority to allow a claim that was not reported pursuant to this section when a victim of a sexual assault receives a medical forensic examination within fifteen (15) days of the crime
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120-RICR-00-00-2.7(A)(2)(c)RI-REPORT-2
Applying to a court for a restraining 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 R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-15-3 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.
120-RICR-00-00-2.7(A)(2)(d)RI-REPORT-3
Telling a rape crisis center, private security, rescue personnel, or the compensation program does not count as a police report.
Reports to private security personnel, rape crisis centers, rescue personnel, or the Crime Victim Compensation Program do not constitute reports to law enforcement authorities.
120-RICR-00-00-2.7(A)(3)(b)RI-REPORT-4
A late police report can be excused for good cause, such as physical or psychological incapacity or reasonable fear of retaliation. Good cause excuses only the delay; a report is still required.
Good cause for delay shall include, but not be limited to, delay caused by physical or psychological incapacity which prevented the making of a report; or by reasonable fear of retaliation by the offender or others.
120-RICR-00-00-2.7(A)(2)(b)RI-REPORT-5
A crime against a minor can be reported to the Department of Children, Youth and Families instead of the police.
Crimes involving minor victims may be reported to the Department of Children, Youth and Families pursuant to the reporting requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 40-11-3 and 40-11-3.1.
The crime must be reported to police within 15 days, but the office may allow a claim without a police report when a sexual assault survivor had a medical forensic exam within 15 days of the crime.
Show the law for this line: R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-22(a)
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-22(a)RI-REPORT-1
no compensation shall be awarded for an injury or death resulting from a crime that was not reported to the appropriate law enforcement authority within fifteen (15) days of its occurrence; provided, that the office shall have the authority to allow a claim that was not reported pursuant to this section when a victim of a sexual assault receives a medical forensic examination within fifteen (15) days of the crime
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Applying to a court for a restraining order with a supporting affidavit, or applying for a criminal complaint, counts as a report to law enforcement.
Show the law for this line: 120-RICR-00-00-2.7(A)(2)(c)
120-RICR-00-00-2.7(A)(2)(c)RI-REPORT-2
The reporting of a crime to a court through a citizen application for a restraining order under R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-15-3 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, rescue personnel, or the compensation program does not count as a police report.
Show the law for this line: 120-RICR-00-00-2.7(A)(2)(d)
120-RICR-00-00-2.7(A)(2)(d)RI-REPORT-3
Reports to private security personnel, rape crisis centers, rescue personnel, or the Crime Victim Compensation Program do not constitute reports to law enforcement authorities.
A late police report can be excused for good cause, such as physical or psychological incapacity or reasonable fear of retaliation. Good cause excuses only the delay; a report is still required.
Show the law for this line: 120-RICR-00-00-2.7(A)(3)(b)
120-RICR-00-00-2.7(A)(3)(b)RI-REPORT-4
Good cause for delay shall include, but not be limited to, delay caused by physical or psychological incapacity which prevented the making of a report; or by reasonable fear of retaliation by the offender or others.
A crime against a minor can be reported to the Department of Children, Youth and Families instead of the police.
Show the law for this line: 120-RICR-00-00-2.7(A)(2)(b)
120-RICR-00-00-2.7(A)(2)(b)RI-REPORT-5
Crimes involving minor victims may be reported to the Department of Children, Youth and Families pursuant to the reporting requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 40-11-3 and 40-11-3.1.
Deadline to apply
Apply within 3 years of the date it happened.
Show the law for this line: R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-22(a)
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-22(a)RI-DEADLINE-1
A claim must be filed within 3 years of the injury.
Actions for compensation under this chapter shall be commenced within three (3) years after the date of the injury or death
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For a victim who was a minor, the application is due within three years after turning eighteen.
Show the law for this line: 120-RICR-00-00-2.7(A)(1)(a)
120-RICR-00-00-2.7(A)(1)(a)RI-DEADLINE-2
If the personal injury to the minor victim or secondary victim occurred on or after September 1, 1999, then the application must be filed within three years after the date on which the minor victim or secondary victim reaches the age of eighteen.
The office may accept a late application if the victim was of unsound mind or shows good cause.
Show the law for this line: 120-RICR-00-00-2.7(A)(1)(c)
120-RICR-00-00-2.7(A)(1)(c)RI-DEADLINE-3
office may allow an application for compensation to be filed with the office after the expiration of the statute of limitations if the victim or secondary victim was of unsound mind or for good cause shown.
Keeping your name and address private
Rhode Island's Address Confidentiality Program, run by the Secretary of State's Department of State, gives victims of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, trafficking, or abuse who have moved or are about to move a shared Providence PO Box to use as their address on state and local government records, with first-class mail and legal papers forwarded free to their real address. Applicants mail a sworn application to the Department, which can help fill it out.
Show the law for this line: ACP page, program description
ACP page, program descriptionRI-ACP-1
The goal of the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP/Program) is to help victims of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, and trafficking and/or abuse as defined by RI Gen. Laws §42-164-2 who have relocated or are about to relocate
Medical, counseling, psychiatric, employment, financial, and investigative records the compensation office gets with a claim are confidential and cannot be released without the applicant's permission unless law allows it. The application itself and the notice of award or denial are treated as public records unless another law says otherwise.
Show the law for this line: 120-RICR-00-00-2.13
120-RICR-00-00-2.13RI-RECCONF-1
All medical records, mental health counseling records, psychiatric records, employment information, personal financial information and investigative records received, obtained or maintained by the office in connection with any application for compensation shall be maintained as confidential investigative material
How to apply
Online http://cvcapp.treasury.ri.gov/
Show the law for this line: Crime Victim Compensation Program page, how to apply (link target http://cvcapp.treasury.ri.gov/)
Crime Victim Compensation Program page, how to apply (link target http://cvcapp.treasury.ri.gov/)RI-SUBMIT-3
Applications can be filed online through the Treasury's CVCP portal; registration is required.
Applications can be submitted online here . (registration required)
Mail CRIME VICTIM COMPENSATION PROGRAM, Office of the General Treasurer, 50 Service Avenue, 2nd Floor, Warwick, RI 02886
Show the law for this line: CVCP Application, page 2, return address
CVCP Application, page 2, return addressRI-SUBMIT-1
Mail the completed paper application to the Crime Victim Compensation Program at the Office of the General Treasurer in Warwick.
Return completed Application to: CRIME VICTIM COMPENSATION PROGRAM Office of the General Treasurer 50 Service Avenue, 2nd Floor Warwick, RI 02886
Fax 401-462-7694
Show the law for this line: Crime Victim Compensation Program page, how to apply
Crime Victim Compensation Program page, how to applyRI-SUBMIT-2
A printed application can be faxed to the program.
You can also print out an application below, either in English or Spanish, and fax it to 401-462-7694
Phone 401-462-7655
Show the law for this line: Crime Victim Compensation Program page and FAQ, Office of the General Treasurer
Crime Victim Compensation Program page and FAQ, Office of the General TreasurerRI-S8
The program's own page, saved by Tend.
If you need money soon
Emergency awards can cover relocation, safety modifications to the home, crime scene cleanup, and burial; they are at the administrator's discretion and are deducted from the final award.
Show the law for this line: R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-21.1(a)
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-21.1(a)RI-EMERG-1
The office may award emergency compensation under this chapter for the: (1) Burial expenses of a victim who dies as a direct result of a violent crime as defined in this chapter; (2) Cost of the crime scene clean up; (3) Relocation expenses; and (4) Compensation for modifications to a victim’s residence necessary to ensure safety.
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Good to know before you apply
Crimes that happen in Rhode Island are covered; the statute does not limit this to Rhode Island residents.
Show the law for this line: R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-19(a)(1)
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-19(a)(1)RI-RES-1
Within the physical confines of the state of Rhode Island;
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A Rhode Island resident hurt in another state can apply only if that state's program offers no compensation.
Show the law for this line: R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-19(a)(3)
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-19(a)(3)RI-RES-2
Outside the state of Rhode Island to any victim who has his or her residence in the state of Rhode Island and had the residence in the state at the time that the offense occurred, and is not entitled to compensation of any kind from the state, possession, or territory or district of the United States in which the offense occurred
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The program pays only after insurance, government benefits, and payments from the offender.
Show the law for this line: R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-23(b)
R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-25-23(b)RI-COLLATERAL-1
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Act shall be regarded as a fund of last resort.
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If you're Jane Doe in Rhode Island: you can ask for up to $25,000, and a forensic exam can count instead of a police report.
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