What you should know
- New Yorkers who are victims and survivors of crimes whose essential personal belongings have been stolen, damaged or destroyed can now receive up to $ 2,500 to replace items deemed necessary for their health, safety or well-being.
- Previously, state law limited the repayment rate to $ 500, an amount that couldn’t keep up with inflation and rising cost of living.
- The new increase in reimbursement applies to any application submitted to the Victim Services Office after 6 October 2022.
NEW YORK – New Yorkers victims of crime and survivors whose essential personal belongings have been stolen, damaged or destroyed can now receive up to $ 2,500 to replace items deemed necessary for their health, safety or well-being, the governor announced Thursday. Kathy.
Previously, state law limited the repayment rate to $ 500, an amount that couldn’t keep up with inflation and rising cost of living. This financial assistance is administered by the State Bureau of Victim Serviceswhich provides a fundamental safety net for victims and survivors who have no other resources to pay for the costs arising from the crime.
“The cost of replacing items lost or damaged during a crime can create an unnecessary burden for victims and their families who are still recovering from a traumatic accident,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “In New York, we support victims in every way possible and I am proud to expand this assistance to take something away from victims and survivors and ensure that they receive the support they need to help them get back on their feet.”
When does the refund increase take effect?
The new increase in reimbursement applies to any application submitted to the Victim Services Office after 6 October 2022.
What types of items are eligible for financial aid?
State regulations that went into effect on October 12, 2022 describe the property that is considered necessary for a person’s well-being that can be claimed.
Among this:
- Clothing, such as shoes, dresses and outerwear.
- Waste.
- mobile devices or computers.
- Items necessary for the safe operation of someone’s personal means of transportation, such as tires, a car seat, or a motorcycle helmet.
- Essential personal property claims can also help with the replacement or repair of items necessary for a person’s health or safety, including eyewear, hearing aids, and other medical devices.
How much can the refund be?
Individuals determined to qualify cannot receive more than $ 2,500 in assistance.
Where can I file a claim if I have been the victim of a crime and have suffered material losses?
For more information enter to this website.
You can also call 1-800-247-8035 Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm.
To claim compensation go here.
Here you will find frequently asked questions.
Also the Victim Services Office supports over 200 assistance programs victims who provide direct services, such as crisis counseling, advocacy, emergency shelters, civilian legal assistance and relocation assistance, to victims and their families.
In addition to the replacement or repair of essential personal property, the Victim Services Office compensates and reimburses qualified persons for medical and counseling expenses; funeral and funeral expenses; costs of relocation, security system and cleaning of the crime scene; and loss of wages and child support, among others.
Where does the help come from in order to reimburse the victims?
This assistance is free for taxpayers. Funding comes from fines, taxes and surcharges paid by some people convicted in state and federal courts.
Who can ask for help?
In the last decade alone, New York State has greatly expanded who qualifies for reimbursement or compensation to victims who have not suffered physical injury, recognizing that the emotional effects of a crime can be just as damaging. These changes also help ensure that crime victims and survivors, and in some cases, their family members, do not face significant financial burdens due to being a victim of crime.
You may be entitled to compensation from the Office of Victim Services if:
- The victim must be an innocent victim of the crime.
- Crime victims who have suffered physical injuries as a result of the crime.
- Crime victims under the age of 18, 60 or older or disabled with no physical injuries.
- Certain relatives and dependents, including surviving spouse, child, parent, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, step-parent, or person who primarily depends on the victim for support.
- Those who have paid or incurred burial costs for an innocent victim of a crime.
- Minor victims, a child who witnesses a crime and the child’s parent, stepfather, grandfather, guardian, brother, sister, half-brother or half-sister.
- Some victims of illegal detention or kidnapping.
- Some victims of stalking.
- Victims of terrorist acts outside the United States residing in New York State.
- Victims of frivolous lawsuits brought by a person who has committed a crime against the victim.
- Some good Samaritans.