Law garden / Virginia
If you're Jane Doe in Virginia
What Virginia's crime victim compensation law says, in plain words. Each line links to the exact sentence it comes from.
Virginia Victims Fund (Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund), run by Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission.
Show the law for this line: Virginia Victims Fund: Contact Us
Virginia Victims Fund: Contact UsVA-S15
The program's own page, saved by Tend.
- $35,000the most you can ask for in totalVa. Code § 19.2-368.11:1(H)
- 3 yearsto apply, from the date it happenedVa. Code § 19.2-368.5(B)
- Police reportnot the only record that countsVa. Code § 19.2-368.10(3)
- $0what a forensic exam should cost youVVF Notice to Sexual Assault Patients
What the program can pay for
The most the program can pay for all costs together is $35,000.
Show the law for this line: Va. Code § 19.2-368.11:1(H)
Va. Code § 19.2-368.11:1(H)VA-CAP-1
Total payments on a claim, after collateral sources are subtracted, cannot exceed $35,000.
payments for injury or death to a victim of crime, to the victim's dependents or to others entitled to payment for covered expenses, after being reduced as provided in subsection G, shall not exceed $35,000 in the aggregate.
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Medical care
Show the law for this line: Va. Code § 19.2-368.11:1(E)(i)and 1 more
Va. Code § 19.2-368.11:1(E)(i)VA-MED-1
Unreimbursed medical expenses, or debt reasonably incurred for medical expenses, are covered.
unreimbursed medical expenses or indebtedness reasonably incurred for medical expenses
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Va. Code § 19.2-368.11:1(E)(iv)VA-MED-2
Expenses attributable to a pregnancy resulting from forcible rape are covered.
expenses attributable to pregnancy resulting from forcible rape
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Counseling
Show the law for this line: VVF How Compensation Works, Eligible Expenses
VVF How Compensation Works, Eligible ExpensesVA-COUNSEL-1
Counseling is an eligible expense for direct victims.
Counseling For direct victims
Prescriptions
Show the law for this line: VVF Eligibility page, Requirement #4: Expense Stipulationsand 1 more
VVF Eligibility page, Requirement #4: Expense StipulationsVA-RX-1
Prescriptions for crime-related injuries or conditions may be reimbursed with receipts.
Prescriptions for treatment of injuries/conditions caused by the crime may be reimbursed.
VVF SAFE Payment Program page, HIV PreventionVA-RX-2
When a provider decides HIV prevention medication is needed, the SAFE Payment Program pays for the full 28-day course.
The full course (28-day supply) of HIV preventative medication
Travel
Show the law for this line: VVF Eligibility page, Requirement #4: Expense Stipulations
VVF Eligibility page, Requirement #4: Expense StipulationsVA-TRANS-1
Mileage to and from medical treatment, investigations and court is reimbursed for minor victims only.
Mileage - Minor Victims Only: Reimbursement for mileage to/from medical treatment, criminal investigations and court proceedings. (Minor victims only.)
Lost pay
Show the law for this line: Va. Code § 19.2-368.11:1(A)
Va. Code § 19.2-368.11:1(A)VA-WAGE-1
Total loss of earnings from crime-caused incapacity is paid weekly at 66-2/3 percent of the victim's average weekly wages.
at a weekly compensation rate equal to 66-2 /3 percent of the victim's average weekly wages
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Home security
- Home security purchase and installation is covered up to $1,000, and the system should be installed within 30 days after the crime.
Show the law for this line: VVF Eligibility page, Requirement #4: Expense Stipulations
VVF Eligibility page, Requirement #4: Expense StipulationsVA-SEC-1
Home Security: Reimbursement of the purchase and installation of home security measures. This expense is based on an immediate need for safety; therefore, the system should be installed within thirty (30) days after the crime. (up to $1,000)
Moving
- Reasonable and necessary moving expenses are covered up to $2,000.
Show the law for this line: Va. Code § 19.2-368.11:1(E)(vi)
Va. Code § 19.2-368.11:1(E)(vi)VA-MOVE-1
reasonable and necessary moving expenses, not to exceed $2,000, incurred by a victim or survivors
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Temporary housing
Show the law for this line: VVF Eligibility page, Requirement #4: Expense Stipulations
VVF Eligibility page, Requirement #4: Expense StipulationsVA-HOUSE-1
Temporary lodging is covered only in limited situations where staying in the home would risk the victim's safety; it must start right after the crime and cannot exceed 30 days.
Temporary Lodging: Limited situations only, when the physical safety of the victim would be risked by staying in the dwelling where the crime occurred. Receipts must be in the victim’s name. Temporary lodging must begin immediately following the crime and must not exceed 30 days.
Clothing and bedding
Show the law for this line: VVF How Compensation Works, Non-Eligible Expenses
VVF How Compensation Works, Non-Eligible ExpensesVA-CLOTH-1
When clothing or bedding is taken as evidence, the fund may pay for replacements.
When clothing or bedding are taken as evidence, VVF may pay for the purchase of a replacement.
What it does not pay for
The fund does not replace stolen vehicles, cellphones, money, or other personal property.
Show the law for this line: VVF How Compensation Works, Non-Eligible Expenses
VVF How Compensation Works, Non-Eligible ExpensesVA-EXCL-1
Replacement of stolen vehicles, cellphones, money, or other personal property
The program cannot award attorneys' fees.
Show the law for this line: VVF Policies, Criteria for an Award (E)
VVF Policies, Criteria for an Award (E)VA-EXCL-2
The Commission lacks authority to award attorneys’ fees.
The fund cannot pay for pain and suffering.
Show the law for this line: VVF How Compensation Works, Payer of Last Resort
VVF How Compensation Works, Payer of Last ResortVA-EXCL-3
The Fund cannot consider payment for pain and suffering and non-eligible property damage.
The forensic exam
You should not get a bill for a sexual assault forensic exam.
Show the law for this line: VVF Notice to Sexual Assault Patientsand 2 more
VVF Notice to Sexual Assault PatientsVA-EXAM-3
Survivors have the right to evidence collection at no cost to them.
You have the right to seek evidence collection at no cost to you;
SAFE Payment Program Procedures and Guidelines, Eligibility Criteria 3(b)VA-EXAM-4
Patients should be billed only for expenses the SAFE Payment Program does not cover; a patient billed by mistake for the exam can seek reimbursement from the program.
Patients should only receive bills from providers for expenses considered ineligible for payment by the SAFE Payment Program.
VVF SAFE Payment Program page, Submit a SAFE claimVA-EXAM-5
Billing the survivor's private health insurance first is not required unless the patient asks for it. Federally funded insurance (Medicaid, Medicare, Tricare) must be billed first, and the program pays the eligible remaining patient responsibility.
If the patient is covered by a federally funded insurance such as Medicaid, Medicare, Tricare, etc., insurance must be billed primary. Billing private health insurance primary is not required unless requested by the patient. The SAFE Payment Program will pay any eligible remaining patient responsibility.
The provider can bill your insurance for it only if you agree.
Show the law for this line: VVF SAFE Payment Program page, Submit a SAFE claim
VVF SAFE Payment Program page, Submit a SAFE claimVA-EXAM-5
Billing the survivor's private health insurance first is not required unless the patient asks for it. Federally funded insurance (Medicaid, Medicare, Tricare) must be billed first, and the program pays the eligible remaining patient responsibility.
If the patient is covered by a federally funded insurance such as Medicaid, Medicare, Tricare, etc., insurance must be billed primary. Billing private health insurance primary is not required unless requested by the patient. The SAFE Payment Program will pay any eligible remaining patient responsibility.
The state's Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund pays for physical evidence recovery kit (PERK) exams for sexual assault victims.
Show the law for this line: Va. Code § 19.2-368.11:1(F)
Va. Code § 19.2-368.11:1(F)VA-EXAM-1
the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund shall pay for physical evidence recovery kit examinations conducted on victims of sexual assault
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Exam evidence-gathering fees are paid by the Commonwealth, and the survivor does not have to cooperate with police or the criminal case to get the exam.
Show the law for this line: Va. Code § 19.2-165.1(B)
Va. Code § 19.2-165.1(B)VA-EXAM-2
shall be paid by the Commonwealth pursuant to subsection F of § 19.2-368.11:1 . Such victims shall not be required to participate in the criminal justice system or cooperate with law-enforcement authorities in order to be provided with such medical exams.
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Non-acute exams (more than 120 hours after the crime) and chronic sexual abuse cases need authorization from a law enforcement officer or prosecutor to be paid.
Show the law for this line: VVF SAFE Payment Program page, Eligibility Requirements
VVF SAFE Payment Program page, Eligibility RequirementsVA-EXAM-6
Medical forensic examinations for non-acute (more than 120 hours after the crime) and/or chronic sexual abuse cases require authorization by law enforcement officer or prosecutor for payment per §19.2-165.1 (A).
What the Fund pays for a PERK exam does not count against the survivor's maximum award.
Show the law for this line: Va. Code § 19.2-368.11:1(F)
Va. Code § 19.2-368.11:1(F)VA-EXAM-7
Funds paid for physical evidence recovery kit or anonymous trace evidence collection kit collection shall not be offset against the Fund's maximum allowable award as provided in subsection H.
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Police report
A police report is not the only way to qualify. Other records can count, like a forensic exam.
Show the law for this line: Va. Code § 19.2-368.10(3)and 1 more
Va. Code § 19.2-368.10(3)VA-REPORT-1
The requirement that police or court records show the crime was promptly reported does not apply to claims of sexual abuse (which the statute defines to include rape, sodomy, object sexual penetration and sexual battery).
The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to claims of sexual abuse.
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Va. Code § 19.2-368.11:1(F)VA-REPORT-2
Anyone who submits to and completes a PERK exam is considered to have met the program's reporting requirements.
Any individual that submits to and completes any such examination shall be considered to have met the reporting requirements of this chapter.
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The requirement that police or court records show the crime was promptly reported does not apply to claims of sexual abuse (which the statute defines to include rape, sodomy, object sexual penetration and sexual battery).
Show the law for this line: Va. Code § 19.2-368.10(3)
Va. Code § 19.2-368.10(3)VA-REPORT-1
The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to claims of sexual abuse.
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Anyone who submits to and completes a PERK exam is considered to have met the program's reporting requirements.
Show the law for this line: Va. Code § 19.2-368.11:1(F)
Va. Code § 19.2-368.11:1(F)VA-REPORT-2
Any individual that submits to and completes any such examination shall be considered to have met the reporting requirements of this chapter.
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Deadline to apply
Apply within 3 years of the date it happened.
Show the law for this line: Va. Code § 19.2-368.5(B)
Va. Code § 19.2-368.5(B)VA-DEADLINE-1
A claim must be filed within three years after the crime; the Commission may extend this for good cause.
A claim shall be filed by the claimant not later than three years after the occurrence of the crime upon which such claim is based
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The program applies the three-year deadline to crimes committed on or after July 1, 2025.
Show the law for this line: VVF Eligibility page, Requirement #5: Filing Timeline Stipulations
VVF Eligibility page, Requirement #5: Filing Timeline StipulationsVA-DEADLINE-2
Crimes committed on and after July 1, 2025 The deadline to file a claim is three years from the crime.
For crimes committed July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2025, the deadline is one year from the crime, extendable for good cause with a written explanation.
Show the law for this line: VVF Eligibility page, Requirement #5: Filing Timeline Stipulations
VVF Eligibility page, Requirement #5: Filing Timeline StipulationsVA-DEADLINE-3
Crimes committed on July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2025 The deadline to file a claim is one year from the crime. This deadline may be extended for good cause shown if the the claimants file a written explanation of the delayed filing.
For sexual abuse of a minor, the claim may be filed up to 10 years after the victim's eighteenth birthday; where the conduct was a felony, there is no time bar.
Show the law for this line: Va. Code § 19.2-368.5(B)(iii)
Va. Code § 19.2-368.5(B)(iii)VA-DEADLINE-4
in cases involving claims of sexual abuse of a minor, the claim shall be filed within 10 years after the minor's eighteenth birthday, except for in cases involving claims of sexual abuse of a minor where the conduct constitutes a felony, the passage of time shall not be a barrier to when the victim can file a claim.
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Keeping your name and address private
Virginia's Address Confidentiality Program, run by the Office of the Attorney General, lets victims of sexual violence, domestic violence, stalking or child abduction use a designated address, and the office forwards their first-class mail to the actual address.
Show the law for this line: Va. Code § 2.2-515.2(B)
Va. Code § 2.2-515.2(B)VA-ACP-1
to protect victims of domestic violence, stalking, child abduction, or sexual violence by authorizing the use of designated addresses for such victims
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All Virginia Victims Fund applications and related documents, including medical records, are confidential; except where law requires otherwise, VVF discloses a victim's information only with written permission.
Show the law for this line: VVF Confidentiality page, Your Claim is Confidential
VVF Confidentiality page, Your Claim is ConfidentialVA-RECCONF-1
All Virginia Victims Fund (VVF) applications and related documents, including medical information and records, are highly confidential. Except as otherwise required by Virginia or federal law, VVF may only disclose a victim or applicant’s information with their written permission.
How to apply
Online WebFile
Show the law for this line: VVF Policies (Sept 2025), Where a Claim Must Be Filed, p. 12
VVF Policies (Sept 2025), Where a Claim Must Be Filed, p. 12VA-SUBMIT-4
There is no public online application: trained Victim/Witness advocates can file the claim electronically through WebFile on the survivor's behalf.
Victim advocates that have been through specialized training may file via WebFile, the Fund's online claims submission system.
Mail P.O. Box 26927, Richmond, VA 23261
Show the law for this line: VVF Claim Form (English, 08/12/2025), instructions p. 2 (Returning the Application)
VVF Claim Form (English, 08/12/2025), instructions p. 2 (Returning the Application)VA-SUBMIT-1
Mail the completed application to the Virginia Victims Fund at P.O. Box 26927, Richmond, VA 23261.
Submit application to P.O. Box 26927, Richmond, VA 23261 or (fax) 804-823-6905.
Fax 804-823-6905
Show the law for this line: VVF Claim Form (English, 08/12/2025), instructions p. 2 (Returning the Application)
VVF Claim Form (English, 08/12/2025), instructions p. 2 (Returning the Application)VA-SUBMIT-2
The application can be faxed to the Virginia Victims Fund at 804-823-6905.
Submit application to P.O. Box 26927, Richmond, VA 23261 or (fax) 804-823-6905.
In person the office of the Commission
Show the law for this line: Va. Code § 19.2-368.5(C)
Va. Code § 19.2-368.5(C)VA-SUBMIT-3
Claims can be filed in person at the office of the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission, which runs the Fund; the contact page says in-person help is by appointment only.
Claims shall be filed in the office of the Commission in person, by mail, or by electronic means in accordance with standards approved by the Commission.
Read this sentence on law.lis.virginia.gov (opens in a new tab)
Phone 800-552-4007
Show the law for this line: Virginia Victims Fund: Contact Us
Virginia Victims Fund: Contact UsVA-S15
The program's own page, saved by Tend.
If you need money soon
If an award is probable and waiting would cause undue hardship, the program may make an emergency award of up to $3,000, deducted from the final award.
Show the law for this line: Va. Code § 19.2-368.9
Va. Code § 19.2-368.9VA-EMERG-1
the amount of such emergency award shall not exceed $3,000
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Good to know before you apply
For a crime committed in Virginia, the victim does not need to be a Virginia resident or a U.S. citizen.
Show the law for this line: VVF Policies, Criteria for an Award (H)
VVF Policies, Criteria for an Award (H)VA-RES-1
As long as the crime was committed in Virginia, there is no requirement that the victim be a Virginia resident or United States citizen to be eligible for an award under the Act.
A Virginia resident hurt by a crime outside Virginia can qualify only if they would be eligible had it happened in Virginia and the place where it happened has no eligible compensation program that pays nonresidents.
Show the law for this line: Va. Code § 19.2-368.4(C)
Va. Code § 19.2-368.4(C)VA-RES-2
A resident of Virginia who is the victim of a crime occurring outside Virginia and any other person as defined in subsection A who is injured as a result of a crime occurring outside Virginia shall be eligible for an award pursuant to this chapter if (i) the person would be eligible for benefits had the crime occurred in Virginia and (ii) the state, country or territory in which the crime occurred does not have a crime victims' compensation program deemed eligible pursuant to the provisions of the federal Victims of Crime Act and does not compensate nonresidents.
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Awards are reduced by payments from the offender or any other public or private source, such as insurance.
Show the law for this line: Va. Code § 19.2-368.11:1(G)
Va. Code § 19.2-368.11:1(G)VA-COLL-1
Any claim made pursuant to this chapter shall be reduced by the amount of any payments received or to be received as a result of the injury from or on behalf of the person who committed the crime or from any other public or private source
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A claim must have a minimum value of $100 to qualify for an award.
Show the law for this line: Va. Code § 19.2-368.11:1(H)
Va. Code § 19.2-368.11:1(H)VA-MIN-1
To qualify for an award under this chapter, a claim must have a minimum value of $100
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If you're Jane Doe in Virginia: you can ask for up to $35,000, and you should never get a bill for a forensic exam.
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