Frequently Asked Questions

Grantees must keep detailed accounting records and documentation to track match funding. The grantee’s financial records must clearly show the source, amount, and timing for all matched contributions. The grantee has the primary responsibility for meeting the match requirement and for ensuring subrecipient compliance with match requirements. In addition, if a recipient or subrecipient has included a match that exceeds the required matching portion within the approved budget, the records of those additional amounts must be included and maintained as if they are a part of the regular match amount. Matching funds are restricted to the same use of funds as allowed for the Federal funds, and subject to audit.

Please note that grantees may not use Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funds, or funds from other Federal awards, as match funding for OVC anti-trafficking awards.

Grantees are required to report the match (both cash and in-kind) on the quarterly Federal Financial Report (FFR). Additionally, the full matching share provided (both cash and in-kind) must be reported on the final FFR submitted at the end of the period of performance. If the matching share is not reported, DOJ will assume the grantee did not meet the required match and will initiate collection of a cash match from the grantee. The DOJ Grants Financial Guide includes additional information on matching and cost sharing requirements.

For general government-wide rules regarding match and match requirements, see 2 C.F.R. § 200.306.

A non-Federal entity that expends $750,000 or more during the non-Federal entity’s fiscal year in Federal awards must have a single or program-specific audit conducted for that year in accordance with the provisions of 2 C.F.R. § 200 Subpart F – Audit Requirements. Audit reports must be submitted within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditor’s report(s), or 9 months after the end of the audit period.

Federal agencies can no longer grant due date extensions for submission of single audit reports. The Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC) requires all grant award recipients to use the Internet Data Entry System (IDES) to submit the Standard Form-Single Audit Component (SF-SAC) and the Single Audit Reporting package online.

Please send any requests for the auditor of your organization to OJP’s Audit Confirmation email: [email protected].

Under OVC-funded anti-trafficking programs, organizations should not collect “contributions” from survivors to fund services (in whole or in part) or collect funds for other purposes such as encouraging saving by “holding” funds or opening a savings account on behalf of the individual. OVC-funded services should be provided free of charge, and if program participants are encouraged to open a savings account to establish financial stability, it should be in their own name and any contributions should be voluntary.

In some circumstances, OVC may permit housing assistance programs to use a sliding scale or contributory model towards rent and collect funds from program participants; however, the grantee must first consult with their OVC grant manager, as these funds may be subject to the rules governing program income (see DOJ Financial Guide).

In response to the threat of computer-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes committed against children, the U.S. Department of Justice implemented the Project Safe Childhood initiative and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program.

Questions can be directed to the OVC Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program by email to [email protected] or you can call the main OVC number (800-363-0441 or 202-307-5983) and ask to be directed to someone who can assist you. You can also send questions to the following address:

Office for Victims of Crime
Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program
999 North Capitol Street NE
Washington, DC 20531

Every federally recognized Tribe that submits an application for the OVC Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside (TVSSA) program receives a grant award. Not all Tribes apply each year. Information about how to participate in the noncompetitive, formula grant TVSSA program is posted on OVC’s website each year.

OVC is the Federal entity designated by the VOCA statute to administer the TVSSA funding, including establishing the requirements and eligibility criteria for the program. The statutory phrase “services for victims of crime” requires that beneficiaries of this program be victims of criminal victimization. Under the TVSSA program, Tribes may provide a broad range of services to crime victims.

OVC’s interpretation of what is allowable under the Set-Aside is very broad—essentially any service to benefit a crime victim is allowable. For example, funding under the TVSSA Formula Program can be used to support activities such as—

• direct services to victims of crime;
• needs assessment and strategic planning;
• victim service program development and implementation;
• victim service program expansion;
• community outreach and education;
• purchasing or procuring tangible items related to victim services; and other activities needed to address the individualized needs of victims of any type of crime in Tribal communities;
• support for Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (see below for additional information); and
• other activities needed to address the needs of a wide variety of crime victims in Tribal communities.

Because the statutory authorization for the TVSSA specifies that the funds are to be used for “services for victims of crime,” cash payments to crime victims are not allowable.

Government-wide grant rules at 2 C.F.R. Part 200 define the requirements for government oversight of grants. All grants, including those made under TVSSA and those formula grants made to states, are governed by 2 C.F.R. Part 200. TVSSA awards have certain flexibilities (e.g., in project duration) that VOCA state formula grants do not have, by virtue of TVSSA’s more flexible statutory authorization (one sentence in the annual appropriation act). OVC has sought to maximize Tribal flexibility in use of funds for victim services, where legally permissible to do so.