Kentucky: Crime Victims Compensation Board - CVCB Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply?

Any person who is a victim of a criminal act, including bodily or psychological injury or death, or loss of earnings or support as a result of the crime. This includes victims of drunk drivers.
If the crime results in the death of the victim, a claim may be filed by a surviving spouse, parent, or child or by any other person dependent on the victim for his principal support.
A claim may also be filed by any individual who signed a funeral contract, incurring legal responsibility for funeral or burial expenses.

What other requirements must be met?

The victim must report the crime to the proper authorities within 48 hours and must cooperate with law enforcement agencies.
The victim must qualify under the board’s definition of serious financial hardship.
The victim cannot be a person who was in jail or in an institution run by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services at the time of the crime.
A claim will be denied if the claimant’s injuries were the ordinary and foreseeable result of criminal activities by the claimant.

Does the program cover crimes that occur outside of Kentucky?

Does the program grant funds for stolen, lost or damaged property?

Does the award amount have a maximum limit?

Is there any assistance for survivors of police officers killed in the line of duty?

The board may award a lump sum payment not to exceed $25,000 to the family of a police officer employed by a city, county or urban-county government who is killed in the line of duty since Jan. 1, 1986, and who is not eligible to receive death or disability benefits under a pension plan of the city, county or urban-county government.

How is an application filed?

Complete an application and submit the original signed authorization and subrogation form of application.
Attach police reports and itemized bills.
Mail or bring to the board's office.

Does the board accept insurance Explanation of Benefits?

Does the board work with collection agencies?

Who can supply the applications?

Applications are available from local police departments, state police, hospital emergency rooms and from commonwealth's and county attorney’s offices.
Applications may be printed from this Web site.
They may also be obtained by writing to or phoning the Crime Victims Compensation Board using the contact information provided on this Web site.

Is there a filing fee?

Is there a time limit for filing?

Yes. The application must be filed no later than five years after the occurrence of a crime.

What happens after the application is filed?

The board investigates all claims filed. It then determines the eligibility of the applicant and the amount of compensation to be awarded, if any.

What happens after the board makes a decision?

The board will notify the claimant or victim’s dependents of acceptance or denial.
If an award is made, notification will include details as to the amount of benefits payable and to whom they are to be paid.
If a claim is denied, the board will give the basis for denial.

Are crime compensation benefits reduced by other sources of income?

Yes. The Crime Victims Compensation Board has been established to compensate victims of crime who meet the board’s criteria for financial hardship. Benefits or awards that the victim or beneficiaries have received or may receive because of the crime-related injury will be deducted. Examples are:
Insurance benefits.
Any funds received from or on behalf of the person who committed the crime.
Funds received from any governmental agency, including Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security.
An emergency award pursuant to KRS 346.120.
In determining the amount of compensation, the board considers all facts in the claimant’s financial statement.

What benefits are available?

Included for bodily and psychological injury are:
Reasonable medical and hospital expenses.
Funeral expenses up to $5,000.
Loss of earnings up to a maximum of $150 per week, if employed at the time of the crime.
Benefits for dependents of a deceased victim.
Psychological counseling for a maximum of two years.