Victims of violent crime are often left with physical, mental and financial burdens. If you have been a victim of a violent crime in the state of Nevada, there are services available that can help you get your life back on track and assist with covering costs you’ve incurred due to the crime.
The Nevada Victims of Crime Program provides immediate financial assistance to qualified victims of violent crimes that occur in Nevada. The Victims of Crime Program assists victims with various expenses that they may be facing due to the crime they experienced. Victims of a violent crime can apply for assistance through the program’s website and may receive financial assistance for medical bills, counseling, wage loss and other costs incurred due to the crime.
Do I qualify for Victims of Crime Assistance?
The Nevada Victims of Crime Program offers help for victims of violent crimes such as battery, sexual assault, domestic violence, physical abuse, homicide and drunk driving.
In order for someone to qualify for Victims of Crime assistance, a person must be a victim of a violent crime in Nevada that involves physical injury, the threat of physical injury or death. The following must also be established:
- The crime must be reported to the police, child protective services, or other law enforcement agency within 5 days of the crime, unless the victim is physically or mentally unable to file within 5 days.
- The application must be submitted to the Victims of Crime Program within a year of the crime or within a reasonable time where the victim is unable to apply within one year. Minor victims of sexual assault, molestation or pornography have until age 21 to file an application.
- Victims must cooperate with law enforcement during the investigation and prosecution of the crime. Also, a victim cannot have participated in or been involved in committing the crime.
- Applicants must cooperate with the Victims of Crime Program.
In addition to victims of violent crimes, family members of a deceased victim may be eligible for assistance through the program.
What does the Victims of Crime Program Assist with?
The Victims of Crime Program assists with a variety of expenses that are incurred due to the violent crime they experienced.
Assistance may be provided for:
- Hospital and Ambulance bills
- Medical and Dental treatment
- Mental Health Counseling
- Wage or income loss
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of support, for dependents of a deceased victim
- Emergency Shelter and Relocation costs
- Insurance co-payments
- Crime scene cleanup
- Medically necessary equipment such as a wheelchair
- Childcare costs incurred because of the crime
- Vision prosthetics and eyeglass replacement
- Home Health Care
- Prescription Medication
- Home Security Repair
Assistance is not provided for:
- Expenses for lost or stolen property or cash
- Property damage
- Any expense not directly related to the crime
- Any expense payable by insurance or any other source
- Damages for pain and suffering
It is important to note that the Victims of Crime Program can only reimburse crime-related expenses that are not covered by other sources. The program is designated as a payer of last resort, meaning that if a victim has health insurance, medical bills must go through the victim’s health insurance first and then the Victims of Crime Program will pay the remaining balances and copays. Victims of Crime claims are limited to $35,000.
If a victim is involved with a lawsuit concerning the crime and receives a settlement or verdict, the compensation that they received from Victims of Crime will need to be paid back. Victims of Crime works with medical providers and hospitals to pay bills for victims at a discounted contract rate. This means that if a client has medical bills that were paid at the contracted rate, they are only responsible for reimbursing Victims of Crime at that rate, not the full amount of the initial bill.
How to Apply for Assistance
Those looking to apply for the Nevada Victims of Crime Program can download an application from the Victims of Crime website here. Applications can be printed, scanned and emailed or mailed to the physical address listed at the bottom of the application. A victim can also request that an application be mailed to them by calling (702)486-2740.
Eglet Adams Victim Advocates
A victim advocate is a professional that is trained to support victims of crime. An advocate can offer information, emotional support, help locate resources and assist with filling out paperwork. Eglet Adams has a designated Victims of Crime paralegal on staff and she is available to assist our clients with the Victims of Crime process.
The victim advocate at Eglet Adams will walk clients through the Victims of Crime Program process and can act as a bridge between the client and medical providers, the Victims of Crime Program and the police to ensure that all proper documentation is provided to the Victims of Crime Program. This ensures that victims receive the compensation they need.
The Eglet Adams victim advocate can also help with Victims of Crime application appeals. She can affirm qualified claims submitted to the program and assist clients with providing and correcting any documentation needed to get claims approved.
