Victim/Witness Financial Assistance

The Victim/Witness Staff is able to provide the following financial assistance.

Virginia Victims Fund
In state/Put of state travel
Meal Reimbursement
Restitution
Referrals to Social Services
Property Return

Virginia Victims Fund

VVF
P.O. Box 26927
Richmond, VA 23261
Ph: 1-800-552-4007
FAX 804-823-6905

Who Must File:

A victim who suffers personal physical injury or death as a result of a crime, trying to prevent a crime or apprehending a criminal. If a minor, the claim must be filed by the victim’s parent or legal guardian.
A parent, grandparent, spouse, sibling or child of a homicide victim who dies as a result of the crime.
Any person legally dependent for principal support from a victim who dies as a result of the crime.
Any person who did not contribute, provoke, or initiate the events leading up to their injuries.
A parent/guardian/caretaker of a minor victim or incapacitated adult victim.
Documentation of guardianship/custody is required.

How To File a Claim:

Contact Henrico Victim/Witness/advocate. All claims must be submitted electronically.

Requirements:

The crime occurred in Virginia and resulted in physical or psychological injury or death.

For crimes between July 1,1998 and June 30th, 2025:

The crime was reported to law enforcement within 120 hours after occurrence unless good cause for the delay is shown.
The victim cooperated with law enforcement and was cooperative with the court process.
The claim for must be filed within a year of the crime. Claimant must submit a letter explaining the delay if over a year.

For crimes on or after July 1, 2025:

Police records will be reviewed (cooperation is not required)
Victims physical, mental, emotional, and family situations are relevant
A permanent protective order issued by the court that involves the claimant and offender

How a claim is processed:
Claim is entered into an electronic database, and a claim number is assigned. VVF then sends an acknowledgement letter to the claimant verifying an open claim. A claims examiner is assigned, and documentation from the claimant and any service provider is requested. It can take up to 180 days.

VVF is a grant funded entity, and therefore a payer of last resort. If a claimant has any of the following, any award could be delayed until after collateral resources are determined.
If you have no insurance, you must file the charity care or financial assistance program at your provider and notify the outcome of that decision to VVF.

Examples of Collateral Resources
Health/Medical insurance	Social Security benefits	Medicare/Medicaid
Life Insurance	Burial Insurance	Civil Lawsuits
Restitution	Auto Insurance	Workers Compensation

*IF THE CRIME OCCURS AT YOUR PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT, YOU MUST FILE WITH VIRGINIA WORKERS COMPENSATION

Appeal Process:
If the applicant disagrees with the decision, an appeal process is available. Instructions for filing an appeal are provided to each applicant with the denial letter. The Crime Victims’ Ombudsman can help you through the appeal process.

Crime Victims’ Ombudsman:

Toll-Free Line: (800) 552-4007
Email: [email protected]

Eligible Crimes for VVF Program

Abduction (must result in personal physical injury)
Arson (must result in personal physical injury)
Battery (must be physical touch resulting in injury)
Brandishing firearm 3rd or subsequent (need verification of conviction) (must result in personal physical injury)
Carjacking (must result in personal physical injury)
Child Abuse (must result in personal physical injury)
Breaking and Entering (must result in personal physical injury)
Robbery (must result in personal physical injury)
Sexual abuse (minors and adults) (must result in personal physical injury)

Rape, sodomy, object sexual penetration
Sexual battery (§ 18.2-67.4)
Sexual molestation (§ 18.2-67.10 section 6)

Stalking with emotional injuries (must result in personal physical injury) (§ 18.2-60.3)
Terrorism (must result in personal physical injury)
Violent felonies with emotional or physical injuries (in § 17.1-805 (C))
Felony violation of a protective order (3rd w/in 20 years) (need verification of conviction)
Driving while intoxicated (DWI) with physical injuries § 18.2-266 or 18.2-51.4 (need verification of conviction)
Felony hit and run with physical injuries from § 46.2-894 (need verification of conviction)