Financial Assistance
Do you know an innocent victim of a violent crime?
Society provides help for the offender.
We're here to help the victims.
Q: What is the Crime Victims Reparations Fund?
- The State of Nebraska has a program to assist innocent victims of
crime who suffer bodily hare and have incurred a financial loss
as a direct result of a criminal act.
Q: Who is eligible?
- An innocent victim who suffers bodily injury from a crime.
- A dependent or legal representative of an innocent victim
who has been killed as a result of a crime.
- A parent or guardian who is responsible for medical expenses
of a minor.
- A person who is injured while aiding a crime victim or
assisting a police officers.
Q: Who is not eligible?
- Anyone injured in a motor vehicle accident, unless the
injury was intentionally inflicted by the operator of the motor
vehicle or the offender was charge with D.U.I.
- Anyone whose conduct contributed to his or her injuries
- Anyone who aided and abetted the offender in the commission
of an unlawful act.
- Anyone who in injured or killed while violating a law.
- Anyone whose economic loss does not exceed ten person of
his or her net financial resources.
Q: What may be paid?
- Medical expenses (hospital, doctor, dental, prescriptions,
etc.) Incurred as a direct result of the crime.
- Loss of wages while under a doctor's care as a direct
result of the crime.
- Funeral expenses as a direct result of the crime.
- Loss of earning power as a direct result of the crime.
- Counseling expenses as a direct result of the crime.
- Maximum award is $10,000 per incident.
Q: What is not covered?
- Loss of Property.
- Payment for pain and suffering.
- Expenses not directly related to the crime.
- Expenses paid by a private or group insurance plan, public
funds, the offender or other sources.
Q: What must I do to be eligible?
- You must report the crime to a law enforcement agency
within 3 days of the incident.
- You must file a claim with in 2 years of the date of the
crime.
- You must cooperate with the criminal justice officials in
the investigation of the crime and the prosecution of the
offender.
Q: What must I do to apply for compensation?
- Submit a completed compensation form.
- Submit a Financial Resources Form
- Submit itemized copies of all medical bills relating to the
incident.
- If requesting loss of wages, submit:
- copies of 3 payroll deductions slips covering the period
just prior to the incident.
- a statement from your employer verifying hours of work
missed and hourly wages.
- A copy of the doctor's release stating the dates you were
under his or her care.
- Submit any other information requested.
Q: How will my claim be considered?
- After all the required information is received and an
investigation is completed, your claim will be presented to a
Hearing Officers for a decision.
- A copy of the Hearing Officer's decision will be sen to you.
- If you are dissatisfied with the decision, you may appeal
the decision by writing to request a hearing. The written
request must be made within 30 days.
Q: Do I need an attorney to file a claim?
- NO you do not need an attorney to file a claim. If
you do choose to hire an attorney, the Hearing Officers or Crime
Victim's Reparations Committee may allow reasonable attorney fees
not to exceed 5% of any compensation award.
Q: How and where do I file a claim?
Q: Other Assistance Available for Crime Victims
Victims of crime may also received assistance (i.e., emergency
shelter, crisis intervention, emotional support, criminal justice
information, etc.) by contacting a Victim/Witness or Domestic
Violence/Sexual Assault Center in you area. Check your telephone
book or contact your local law enforcement agency for more
information.
The State of Nebraska does not discriminated of the basis of sex,
handicap, race, color, religion, marital status, veteran status,
or national origin with respect to Crime Victims Reparation
applications. Inquiries regarding this policy or reasonable
accommodations with respect to such programs may be directed to
the Nebraska Crime Commission (402) 471-2828 (TDD 800-833-7352).
