The New Jersey Victims of Crime Compensation Office assists qualifying individuals whose lives have been tragically altered as a result of victimization from violent crimes by providing compensation for some expenses they suffer as a result of the crime.
A victim seeking VCCO benefits may receive a maximum award of up to $25,000. If a victim’s injury is catastrophic, meaning the victim has lost permanent use of a bodily function, the maximum award increases up to an additional $35,000.
How do I qualify for assistance?
If you are a victim or claimant (person filing for a victim or dependents of the victim)
you must show that:
- Crime is eligible under the statute.
- You are a resident of the State of New Jersey or the crime occurred in this State.
- You have compensable financial losses as a result of the criminal act.
- The crime was reported to law enforcement within 9 months, and you submitted this application within 5 years from the date of the crime. Consideration will be taken if “good cause” exists for delayed filing.
- You cooperated with police and prosecutor’s office. However, eligibility is not dependent upon conviction or prosecution of the offender.
- Insurance and other payment sources such as restitution paid by the offender will not cover the bills submitted.
- With the exception of homicide cases, you did not contribute to your injuries, provoke the incident, and were not responsible for or participated in the crime that caused your injuries.
- You do not have any outstanding VCCO assessments imposed for convictions.
- You do not have any outstanding warrants for indictable offenses or pending criminal charges in Superior Court.
How to apply:
Applications can be found in:
- Law enforcement agencies
- Medical institutions
- Prosecutor's office
Or download it here.