New Jersey’s Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) has a fund to help people recover from the cost of emotional or physical injuries caused by violent crimes. People may also recover on behalf of family members who have died as a result of a crime.

If you qualify, VCCO may reimburse you for up to a maximum of $25,000. If you experienced a catastrophic injury, VCCO may reimburse you for up to a maximum of $35,000. VCCO will determine how much to award based on your eligibility and your documentation of the costs you experienced. VCCO benefits will only cover costs that insurance or other payment sources will not cover.

VCCO is a reimbursement program. You first must pay out-of-pocket, then request compensation for the costs by filing a claim with VCCO.

To receive reimbursement, you must file a claim within five years from the date the crime occurred. VCCO may accept filings for claims after five years only if they determine there was “good cause” for the delay. Additionally, you must have reported the crime to the police within nine months from when it occurred. VCCO may accept filings for claims that were reported to police after the nine-month window if you can prove there was “good cause” for the delay in reporting. There may be an exception to these time limits if you were not appropriately informed of the benefits.

This article covers the basic eligibility requirements for VCCO applications. Visit the VCCO website for additional information or to submit an application.

Application Tip: When applying for VCCO benefits, you will need to show documentation of the costs you incurred as a result of the crime. To the extent that you are able, try to keep documentation of the exact accounting of these costs.

You may apply for VCCO benefits if:

You are eligible for assistance through being:

• The victim of an eligible crime,
• A surviving dependent of a victim who has died as a result of an eligible crime,
• A parent filing on behalf of a minor,
• A person injured while trying to prevent a crime, or
• Injured while trying to assist a police officer in making an arrest;
• You have eligible financial losses as a result of an eligible criminal act;
• You did not contribute to your injuries or provoke the incident;
• You were not responsible for, nor did you participate in the crime that caused your injuries;
• You do not currently owe VCCO assessments imposed for convictions; and
• You do not currently have an arrest warrant or pending criminal charges in Superior Court.

The crime must have occurred in New Jersey unless you are a New Jersey resident and the crime occurred in a state or jurisdiction that does not provide compensation to victims of crime. 

Generally, you must have cooperated with the police or prosecutor’s office. Eligibility, however, is not dependent on a conviction or prosecution of the offender.

Application Tip: Separate applications should be completed for each victim. If you are a parent applying for compensation on behalf of a minor, the minor is the “victim” and you are the “claimant” for application purposes. Similarly, if you are a person who was dependent on a victim who died as a result of an eligible crime, they are the “victim” and you are the “claimant.”

Who is not eligible for assistance?

• A victim who lives outside of New Jersey
• A victim of a crime committed in a state other than New Jersey (unless a New Jersey resident who was the victim of a crime in a state or jurisdiction that does not provide compensation to victims of crime)
• A victim who did not sustain personal injury or mental trauma
• A victim who does not cooperate with law enforcement
• A victim who was in jail when the crime occurred
• A victim who contributed to the crime
• A victim who was engaging in illegal activity at the time of the crime with pending criminal charges
• Anyone who has outstanding warrants
• A victim of a motor vehicle or boating accident (with some exceptions)

Eligible Crimes Covered

Application Tip: If you have documentation of reporting the crime to another authority such as a State agency or forensic medical examiner, instead of the police, you should attach that documentation to your application. There is no guarantee that this will alone will make your claim successful, but it may help.

When completing your application, you will need to attach a copy of the police report, incident report, or restraining or protective order.

• Assault
• Disorderly Conduct
• Murder
• Manslaughter
• Burglary
• Sexually Related Crimes
• Kidnapping
• Acts Constituting Domestic Violence
• Drug and Food Tampering
• DWI
• Carjacking
• Hit and Run
• Eluding a Police Officer
• Human Trafficking
• Bias Crimes

Common Crimes Not Covered

• Economic crimes
• Identity theft
• Property damage or loss (unless domestic violence)

What kinds of costs can I be reimbursed for?

VCCO will pay crime-related expenses only after you or the victim applies to other sources, such as medical insurance, State disability insurance, workers’ compensation, etc. Life insurance and private donations are not considered other sources. All medical bills must be first submitted to insurance providers; uninsured victims must first apply for Charity Care for hospital bills and submit award or denial letters to VCCO. If there is no coverage, bills should be presented to VCCO as soon as possible. All bills will be verified in order to establish accuracy and relationship to the crime.

VCCO generally does not compensate for property loss or pain and suffering.

Types of Assistance Available Through the VCCO
Medical	Medical expenses directly resulting from a crime-related injury and not covered by insurance or Charity Care.
Counseling	Mental health counseling expenses related to the incident and not covered by insurance. The maximum allowance for counseling expenses is as follows: Homicide survivor $20,000, injured victim $20,000, secondary victim(s) $7,000, group counseling $50 a session per victim.
Dental	Dental expenses directly related to a crime-related injury and not totally covered by insurance.
Prescriptions	Prescription expenses resulting from a crime-related injury and not totally covered by insurance.
Relocation	The maximum allowance for relocation assistance is $3,000. VCCO may consider relocation expenses where there is a need to protect the health and safety of the victim and/or their family. Expenses might include a security deposit payable directly to the landlord, temporary shelter, moving services, monthly rental and mortgage cost differential, first month’s rent if relocation occurred within one year of filing the application, and/or personal expense items deemed reasonable and necessary.
Funeral	The maximum allowance for funeral expenses is $7,500. VCCO may consider expenses such as the funeral costs, flowers, repast expenses, cemetery costs, and grave markers/headstones.
Transportation to Funeral	$500 per person with a maximum reimbursement of $3,000. This may include airfare or railroad expenses.
Loss of earnings (victim)	Loss of earnings to a victim that were incurred directly due to the crime related injury while in a no pay status. VCCO cannot consider reimbursement if the victim was paid through accrued vacation or sick time. The maximum loss of earnings considered is $600 per week with a maximum of 104 weeks.
Loss of earnings (claimant)	When the claimant was employed at the time of the incident, but missed time from work for having to care for the victim as a result of their injuries. VCCO cannot consider reimbursement if the claimant was paid through accrued vacation or sick time. The maximum loss of earnings considered is $600 per week with a maximum of $7,000.
Loss of support (homicide claim)	Loss of support may be considered when the victim was supporting the claimant/household at the time of their death. The maximum loss of support to be considered is $600 per week not to exceed 48 months.
Stolen Cash Reinbursement (senior citizen or permanently disabled persons only)	VCCO may reimburse case (minimum $50) stolen directly from the person of an eligible crime victim where the monetary loss was reported to police. Maximum reimbursement is $1,000.
Attorney’s Fees (victim’s rights in certain criminal and/or civil proceedings that are directly related to the VCCO claim)	VCCO can assist with certain fees when the representation is related to the criminal matter upon which the claim is based. Attorney fees are payable at $275 per hour not to exceed $10,000 maximum allowance.
Attorney representation with filing claim	Attorney fees payable at $275 per hour or 15% of the total award whichever is less.
Day Care Services	VCCO may reimburse child care expenses for a minor child (14 years old or less) or for an adult where the need for such services is a direct result of the crim. Maximum reimbursement is $6,500.
Domestic Help	VCCO may reimburse domestic help expenses arising as a direct result of the crim. Domestic help may include housecleaning, laundry, cooking, companionship and other services related to providing day to day living support for the victim. Maximum reimbursement is $6,500.
Medical Equipment	VCCO may reimburse reasonable charges for reasonably needed products such as wheelchairs, braces, splints, crutches, walkers, and other personal adaptive equipment required to meet the victim’s disability needs.
Medically Related Transportation	VCCO may reimburse transportation costs for the victim’s visits to treating physicians and other health care facilities. Maximum reimbursement is 31 cents per mile not to exceed $10 per day and $3,000 total.
Crime Scene Clean-Up	VCCO may compensate the reasonable and necessary costs for the cleaning of a victim’s residence and/or personal vehicle where the injurious crime occurred or where the direct costs have become the direct victim or claimant’s financial responsibility. Compensation includes the actual clean-up costs, reasonable replacement value of bedding, carpeting, doors, windows, locks, or furniture which has been rendered damaged or useless as a result of the crime or the collection of evidence. Maximum allowance for crime scene clean-up shall not exceed $4,000 in the aggregate.
Bereavement	Loss of earnings may be paid to members of the victim’s family for funeral attendance and bereavement for a period of no more than two weeks. Maximum loss of earnings to be considered is $600 per week.
Court Attendance	Loss of earnings may be paid to victims and secondary victims for court attendance. The maximum loss of earnings to be considered is $600 per week with a maximum allowance of $7,000 for all secondary victim expenses.
Court Attendance Transportation	VCCO may reimburse transportation costs for the victim/claimant’s court attendance. Maximum reimbursement is 31 cents per mile not to exceed $10 per day and $3,000 total.

 

What do I need to apply for reimbursement from VCCO?

An applicant should supply these additional documents, if possible:

• A police report, restraining order, Division of Child Protection & Permanency investigation report, or Prosecutor’s Office investigation report
• Copies of bills, receipts, or other documentation of expenses
• Documentation of economic loss
• Psychological assessment form
• Copies of any documents related to insurance coverage

What can I do if my application is denied?

Once you have submitted your application and all necessary documentation, you should receive a written determination from the agency within six months. Based on the application materials you submitted, the agency may approve or deny all compensation, or determine you are only eligible for part of the compensation you have requested.

If the agency denies or limits reimbursement, you may be able to supply additional information to the agency to reverse the denial without a formal appeal hearing. If that isn’t possible or is unsuccessful, you have the right to appeal. You must request an appeal within 20 days of receiving the denial from the agency. An appeal hearing will then be scheduled. You should receive notice of the hearing date at least 15 days prior to the appeal.

The Victims of Crime Compensation Review Board (Review Board) hears all appeals.

VCCO will have an attorney representing them at the appeal hearing. You, as the appellant, also have the right to be represented by an attorney. Both you and VCCO will have an opportunity to present relevant materials to the Review Board. Good cause must be shown for failure to appear at the hearing. The Review Board will issue a Final Order and Decision within three months of the hearing.

If you disagree with the result of your appeal to the Review Board, you may file a formal appeal to the Appellate Division of the Superior Court within 45 days from the date that you receive the Review Board’s Final Order and Decision.

How do I apply for compensation from the VCCO?

You can complete an online application, upload supplementary documentation, and track the status of your application through the VCCO application portal.

Paper applications are also available at each county prosecutor’s office, law enforcement agency, and medical institution in New Jersey. Suppliers of the applications, such as the prosecutor’s office, may have staff who can help you fill it out and file.

You may also call VCCO at 1 (877) 658-2221 Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Translation services are available in Spanish through VCCO to help you process your claim.

The VCCO website contains other important information relating to services for victims, including the Victim Information Notification Everyday (VINE) program, which allows victims access to information about whether or not their assailant has been released from jail. You may register with VINE by calling 1 (877) VINE-4-NJ or 1 (877) 846-3465 or by visiting the VINE website.

This information last reviewed: Apr 3, 2025