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Ohio Crime Victims Compensation Program | Ohio Attorney General'S Office

150 E Gay St., 25th Flr., Columbus, OH 43215

Eligibility

Innocent victims of a violent crime (resulting in injury) that occured in Ohio, also includes dependents of a deceased victim, parents or guardians of a crime victim if they paid the victim's expenses or someone who has taken legal responsibility to pay victim's expenses. Must have exhausted or have no other collateral source of payment. Other eligibility requirements may apply, inquire. THOSE NOT ELIGIBLE: Engaged in illegal activity at time of crime; Convicted of a felony within 10 years prior to crime; Convicted of a felony while claim is pending; Incarcerated persons; Offenders or accomplice of the offender; Those whose own behavior is determined to have contributed to the crime (may still possibly receive reduced benefits).

Required documents

Application to start.

Hours

M-F: 8:00am-5:00pm.
(800) 282-0515

Voice - voice | AGO Help Center

(614) 466-5610

Voice - voice | Section Phone Number

https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/victim

Application process

Visit website to download an application or to register and file a claim online. May also phone for information during service hours. Minors must have a parent, guardian, or person responsible for expenses file the claim. Crimes must be reported to the law within 72 hrs. after the incident, or show just cause for delay. Claim must be filed within 2 years from the date the crime occurred (except minor victims have until their 20th birthday to file a claim). If the victim lives in Ohio but the crime occurred outside Ohio, it is preferred that the victim file first in the state where the crime occurred.

Fees

Free

Service area

United States

Description

Administers the Ohio Crime Victims Compensation Program. Assists innocent victims of violent crime (resulting in injury) in recovering their economic losses suffered as a result of the crime. Maximum award of benefits to each victim per incident is $50,000. Assists only when recipient's funds are exhausted and there is no other source of compensation (such as insurance or settlement payments). Expenses eligible for compensation include reasonable medical expenses, mental health counseling (for specific types of crimes), ambulance services, funeral expenses, loss of wages, eyeglasses, dental work, replacement services (services victim can no longer perform), crime scene clean-up, evidence replacement, attorney fees relating to the application process, and other necessary services.

Data provided by

211 Cleveland

Providing organization

Ohio Attorney General'S Office

Acts as attorney for the State of Ohio and its departments, boards, and agencies and is responsible for the collection of debts owed to the state. The Attorney General's Office has enforcement authority in areas empowered by the General Assembly. These areas include: consumer protection, charitable solicitation, antitrust actions, and organized crime. The office works with local law enforcement agencies at their request and occasionally, at the invitation of local prosecutors, the Office will serve as special prosecutors in criminal cases.