Conozca la Ley: Alaska
ACTUALIZADA 27 de julio, 2008
- Brief overview of victim compensation in Alaska
- What are the requirements to be eligible to apply for compensation?
- How long will it take to receive compensation?
- What is emergency compensation?
- Should I apply for compensation?
arribaBrief overview of victim compensation in Alaska
Alaska has a Violent Crimes Compensation Board that can provide compensation (money) to:
- victims who have been physically or emotionally injured in a violent crime in Alaska (note: the Board does not pay for "pain and suffering");
- victims of drunk drivers or when a car is used as a deadly weapon;
- dependants of a homicide victim;
- people who because of their relationship to a victim suffer certain losses;
- Alaskans who are victims of violent crimes where there is no crime victim compensation program, family members of victims of violent crime (or others with a relationship to the victim) who have incurred certain losses.
- Medical care needed for victim's injuries
- Counseling
- Transportation to medical and counseling services
- Wages lost as a direct result of the crime injuries
- Criminal proceeding attendance costs not paid by other sources such as transportation, lodging, food, and lost wages
- Security measures such as new locks, motion lights, monitored systems, cell phone, temporary mailbox, and dog training
- Loss of support for dependents of deceased victims
- Funeral and burial costs for homicide victims (up to $7,000.00)*
* This information was adapted from the Violent Crimes Compensation Board website. Please see www.state.ak.us/admin/vccb/victims.shtml for more information. See also Alaska Statute §§ 18.67.080, 18.67.101, & 18.67.130.
arribaWhat are the requirements to be eligible to apply for compensation?
- You must report the crime to local law enforcement within (5) days; if reported more than 5 days after the crime, you must provide a written explanation.
- You must file an application with the program within (2) years from the date of the crime and ensure the Board receives required information.
- You must cooperate with the reasonable requests of law enforcement and prosecution authorities in their investigation and prosecution of the crime.
- The victim must NOT have caused or contributed to his/her injury or death by violation of a criminal law or by the victim's own behavior.*
* This information was adapted from the Violent Crimes Compensation Board website. Please see www.state.ak.us/admin/vccb/victims.shtml for more information.
arribaHow long will it take to receive compensation?
It can take 3 to 6 months to determine if you can be helped by the program. Payments will be made when all required information is received and if the claim is approved by the Board at a Board meeting.
However, in terrible situations, emergency compensation in an amount up to $1500.00 may be awarded within one to two months of application. Recipients must submit actual and reasonable receipts to support the request.*
* This information was adapted from the Violent Crimes Compensation Board website. Please see www.state.ak.us/admin/vccb/victims.shtml for more information.
arribaWhat is emergency compensation?
Emergency compensation may be awarded in "dire" (terrible) situations. Emergency compensation can be an amount up to $1,500. The money may be awarded within one to two months of application but recipients must submit actual and reasonable receipts to support the request.*
* This information was adapted from the Violent Crimes Compensation Board website. Please see www.state.ak.us/admin/vccb/victims.shtml for more information.
arribaShould I apply for compensation?
If you have been the victim of a violent crime or if you meet the other qualifications explained in Brief overview of Victim Compensation in Alaska, you should apply for compensation even if you are not sure whether you meet all the eligibility requirements. When your application is reviewed, the Board can ask you to provide more information if necessary.
To read about the application procedure and to download an application, please see the Violent Crimes Compensation Board website at www.state.ak.us/admin/vccb/victims.shtml.
If you need help in filling out the application, you may be able to get the assistance of an advocate at a local resource center, which can be found on the AK State and Local Programs page under the Where to Find Help tab at the top of this page.