Frequently Asked Questions

Submitting an International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program (ITVERP) application requires substantial supporting documentation. Simply answering the questions on the application is not sufficient and your application will be considered incomplete. Before you submit your application, please be sure to include all the required supporting documentation.

The International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program (ITVERP) is an expense reimbursement program administered by the federal government. It covers specific out-of-pocket expenses that a victim of international terrorism may have incurred.

ITVERP was created by Congress as an amendment to the Crime Victims Act of 1984. Since 2006, ITVERP has been providing financial support to victims of international terrorism.

Visit the ITVERP section of our site to learn more.

The International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program (ITVERP) operates much like a state crime victim compensation program but is operated by the federal government. It reimburses victims for expenses they have already incurred that are directly linked to the terrorist incident that occurred outside the United States.

Victims must meet certain eligibility requirements, apply to the program, and submit all of their supporting documentation before their application is complete and can be considered for a reimbursement award.

ITVERP is available to victims only after they have exhausted all other sources that could cover their expenses. ITVERP only reimburses individuals for specific out-of-pocket expenses directly related to the international act of terrorism.

Funding for the International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program (ITVERP) comes from the Crime Victims Fund. The Victims of Crime Act established this fund, which is financed by fines and penalties from convictions in federal cases, not from tax dollars.

For an incident to be considered an international act of terrorism for the purposes of ITVERP, the incident must be designated as such by the National Security Division of the Department of Justice. If the incident you are looking for is not on the list, please contact ITVERP. Review the list of designated international terrorism incidents.

Yes. The only exception is under the mental health care expense category. Each family member is eligible for reimbursement of her/his individual mental health care expenses.

Learn about what expenses are covered under ITVERP and each category's reimbursement limit.

Generally, an applicant must submit copies of receipts to have their expenses reimbursed when their ITVERP application is submitted. Often this is not possible. If you do not have receipts, you may submit an itemized list of expenses certifying and attesting that original receipts are unavailable and that what is listed in the application is true and correct to the best of the applicant’s knowledge.

Visit the ITVERP microsite to learn more and apply.

An Itemized Application - For applicants who have not already submitted an ITVERP claim.

A Supplemental Application - For applicants who have already submitted an ITVERP claim and are requesting additional reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses not previously claimed or expenses that have changed since the first application (e.g., bills received late or newly required services).

An Interim Emergency - For applicants seeking funds for an immediate need, such as medical treatment, short-term lodging, or emergency transportation. Emergency applications are designed to avoid the substantial financial hardship likely to arise from delayed reimbursements. This type of application is processed at the discretion of the OVC Director.

In Progress: You started an application, but have not yet submitted it.

Submitted: Your application has been submitted to the ITVERP Program for review.

Pending Incident Designation: This incident has not yet been designated as a terrorist attack for the purposes of ITVERP and is being reviewed further for an official designation. 

Processing: Your application and expenses are being verified for eligibility and final determination.

Approved: Your claim has been approved, and information regarding your payment will be provided.

Denied: Your claim has been denied, and information regarding the denial will be provided.

ITVERP is authorized to reimburse eligible victims of acts of international terrorism that occur outside the United States for expenses incurred as a direct result of their victimization.

Eligible persons include:

• U.S. citizens.
• U.S. employees.
• U.S. contractors of the federal government, including foreign nationals.
• The victim must have been a U.S. citizen or foreign national working for the U.S. government at the time of the terrorist incident in order to be eligible.

When a victim is deceased, a minor, or is incompetent or incapacitated, a family member (spouse, parent, child, sibling, or other person, at the discretion of the OVC Director) or legal guardian may apply for and receive reimbursement on behalf of the victim. A victim, family member, or legal guardian who applies for ITVERP reimbursement is referred to as a claimant.