VOCA Victim Compensation Program

The VOCA Victim Compensation Grant Program provides funding to supplement state compensation programs that reimburse victims for crime-related out-of-pocket expenses. Each year, VOCA victim compensation grants are awarded to every state, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico and any other possession or territory of the United States to support costs for medical and dental care, counseling, funeral and burial expenses, and lost wages. 

Compensation programs may also reimburse victims for other types of expenses related to their victimization, such as travel, temporary lodging, crime scene cleanup, and dependent care. Although each state administers its program independently, most programs have similar eligibility requirements and offer comparable benefits. 

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VOCA Victim Assistance Grant Program

The VOCA Victim Assistance Grant Program supports thousands of direct victim assistance providers. Annual VOCA victim assistance grants are awarded to every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. 

Each state and territory provides subgrants to local community-based organizations and public agencies that provide services—such as intervention and crisis counseling, telephone and onsite information and referrals, criminal justice support and advocacy, shelter, therapy, and additional assistance—directly to victims. Funds may also be used to develop new programs that address emerging needs, gaps in services, and training for victim service providers.

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VOCA Statutory Set-Asides

ach year, once Congress establishes the appropriation cap, the funds are allocated in accordance with the following process:

• The Children’s Justice Act receives $10 million plus 50 percent of the previous year’s deposits over $324 million, with a maximum award of $20 million.
• OVC provides funding to the Executive Office for United States Attorneys to support victim specialists who assist victims of federal crimes during justice system proceedings and provide advice regarding victims' rights, such as the right to make oral and written victim impact statements at sentencing hearings.
• The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) receives funding for victim specialists assigned to field offices across the country to personally assist victims of federal crimes and provide information on criminal cases as they progress and throughout court proceedings.
• The Federal Victim Notification System receives approximately $5 million.
• Since 2015, Congress has allocated $10 million per fiscal year in VOCA funds for the Office of the Inspector General to use in auditing and assessing risks and deficiencies in the management of OVC programs.
• Set-aside funds for a Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside program that provide support to Tribal communities to enhance services for victims of crime.

Antiterrorism Emergency Reserve

The Emergency Reserve funds emergency expenses and other services for victims of terrorism abroad and mass violence within the United States by supporting the following programs:

• the Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program,
• the International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program ,
• the Executive Office for United States Attorneys Emergency Assistance Fund,
• the FBI Office of Victim Assistance’ Crime Victim Assistance Emergency Fund,
• the National Security Division, Office of Justice for Victims of Overseas Terrorism’s Criminal Justice Participation Assistance Fund and Personnel,
• the Office of Military Commissions’ closed-circuit television viewing sites for victims and families, and
• Special Masters reimbursement in certain terrorism-related federal civil lawsuits.

Discretionary Grant Programs

OVC provides discretionary grants for national-scope demonstration projects and training and technical assistance (TTA) to enhance the professional expertise of victim service providers. These grants are competitively awarded to states, local government agencies, Tribal governments, educational institutions, private nonprofit organizations, and individuals.

Programs identify and implement promising practices, models, and initiatives; address gaps and needs in TTA; and fund demonstration programs that may provide direct services. Up to 50 percent of OVC discretionary funding may be used to support and enhance services to victims of federal crimes.