Frequently Asked Questions
Search here for answers to frequently asked questions about our programs. If the topic you are looking for is not covered here — or if you need additional information about something you see on this page — please call 800.547.0060 or email victims.info@cjcc.ga.gov.
All Programs FAQs
If the sexual assault occurred after May 12, 2008 you are not required to have a police report to apply for the CVCP. The program may use documentation from the forensic medical exam which shows that a sexual assault occurred. A police report is required if you were assaulted prior to May 12, 2008.
For instructions on how to navigate within the Billing Tab, please download the Billing Tab Guide for the Victims Comp Portal from the Forms Page.
No. Our program does not cover suicide or suicide related expenses.
We are aware of a caching issue with Chrome, Internet Explorer 11, Firefox, Safari and Edge browsers that causes users to get a Bad Request error message, or in some instances does not allow users to access information in the claims or bill sections.
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Please Note: Chrome is still our recommended browser.
If you are having a problem that is not related to this issue, please Click Here. We appreciate your patience as we work to improve your experience in the Victims Comp Portal.
Please allow 5-7 business days to complete this process.
Go to http://VictimsCompPortal.cjcc.ga.gov to register for the Victims Comp Portal.
No. The Program can only pay for crimes that occurred after July 1, 2014.
No. The crime must have occurred in Georgia.
The Program can pay up to $200 per victim, per victimization.
No. The Program only reimburses for one interview per victim, per victimization.
No. We do not offer the training to become a forensic interviewer.
The provider and/or facility (i.e. hospital, sexual assault center, or child advocacy center) that performed the FME.
No. One application is sufficient with the provider and hospital information completed and the bill(s) attached.
No. The maximum allowable amount is $1,000.00 for the collection of evidence for a FME.
The maximum that the Program will reimburse for a facility fee is $175.00.
Not unless they are the owner of the facility where the exam was conducted.
While CPT Codes or Revenue Codes do not customarily apply to SANEs, the bill for service must include a descriptive itemized statement of the service(s) provided. Please refer to our CPT Code/Description of Services Reference Sheet to select the applicable description for the medical service(s) provided.
A separate bill can be submitted for the follow-up STI testing at a later date if the expenses have not exceeded $1,000.00.
If a Completed Application Packet is submitted, the processing time is under 30 days. Once the application is processed, please allow up to 4 weeks to receive payment from GBI.
Yes. The victim has the right to a forensic medical exam, regardless of whether the victim participates in the criminal justice system or cooperates with law enforcement by pursuing the prosecution of the crime.
Memorial signs will remain erected for a period of five (5) years from the date of placement, at which time they will be removed by the Department of Transportation.
We require a completed W-9 form for new payees or payees who have not been paid in over a year to certify their identity. If you are a victim/claimant, you should provide a SSN or TIN. If you are a business, you should provide an EIN. The information on the W-9 must match the information in the IRS system for how you filed your taxes.
Once a claim is awarded, please allow up to four weeks for receive payment from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).
In addition to a Complete Application Packet, a completed psychological service report is required after the first visit and must document that the services rendered are directly related to the crime listed on the investigative report. The report must be submitted by the licensed mental health professional that provided the service.
- Victims must report the crime to the proper authorities within 72 hours, unless good cause is shown.
- For crimes occurring prior to July 1, 2014, an application must be filed within 1 year of the crime, unless good cause is shown (a claim submitted 3 years after the victimization cannot be considered).
- For crimes occurring on or after July 1, 2014, the victim/witness must file a claim within 3 years of the crime or the death of the victim. However, if the victim is a minor at the time of the victimization, he or she can file an application until 3 years after his or her eighteenth birthday. If good cause is shown, the board may extend the time for filing a claim.
The Program’s current hourly payment schedule for the counseling benefits is as follows:
- $45.00 for group/family sessions
- $100.00 for a Licensed Mental Health Professional (e.g. Psychologist, LPC, LMFT, LCSW, etc.)
- $125.00 for a Psychiatrist
No. An arrest or conviction is not required to receive compensation.
No. The program does not pay for pain and suffering.
- Homicide
- Homicide by Vehicle
- Sexual Offenses
- Child Molestation
- Human Trafficking
- Cruelty to Children
- Family Violence
- DUI Crashes
- Hit and Run
- Assault and Battery
PLEASE NOTE
The above list does not show all covered crimes. Please contact us if you don’t see your crime, or if you have questions.
No. The Program does not cover property loss or damage unless it is for the replacement of medically necessary devices such as eyeglasses, wheelchair, etc.
No. You do not have to be a Georgia resident to apply for the Program, but the crime must have occurred in Georgia.
No. You should apply for Victim’s Compensation in the state where the crime occurred.
Yes. You can apply for the Program if the crime occurred in Georgia.
Yes. You can apply for Georgia Crime Victims Compensation if you are a Georgia resident who was victimized in a country that does not have a Victim’s Compensation Program.
- A victim of property crime only.
- You were committing a crime or you were incarcerated when the crime occurred.
- You participated in or were involved in the events leading to the crime.
- You were on probation or parole due to a felony crime involving physical injury to others when the crime occurred.
- You are filing the application more than 3 years from the date of the crime (for crimes occurring prior to July 1, 2014).
- Medical/Dental Expenses – up to $15,000
- Counseling Expenses – up to $3,000
- Economic Support – up to $10,000
- Crime Scene Sanitization – up to $1,500
- Funeral Expenses – up to $6,000
These are the maximum amounts that an eligible claimant may qualify for in each benefit category (the maximum program amount is $25,000 per victim based on eligible expenses).
You may qualify to be reimbursed for lost wages if you are able to provide us with: proof that you were gainfully employed at the time of the victimization, official documentation showing how much you earned 60 days prior to the victimization, official documentation from your employer showing you missed work and lost pay due to the victimization (additional documentation will be required if you are self-employed), and records from a physician or a licensed mental health professional that provided treatment at the time of the victimization stating you had to be out of work.
An itemized bill shows the provider’s name, address and phone number, the account number (if applicable), the date(s) of service (date actual services were provided), description of all the services provided (e.g. x-ray, replaced tooth, operating room, etc.), charges for each service provided, and total charges and/or balance due.
- 1. Complete the entire application, and print clearly. Be sure to sign every place where an original signature is required.
- 2. Provide us with a police or investigative report that lists the victim or witness’ name, and a summary of the incident.
PLEASE NOTE
A statement verifying serious mental or emotional trauma for SMET claims, must be completed by a licensed mental health professional.
In order to qualify for the program the crime must have been reported to the proper authorizes within 72 hours of the crime; and the victim must file an application within 1 year of the crime, unless good cause is shown. A claim submitted 3 years after the victimization cannot be considered for crimes occurring prior to July 1, 2014.
Please Note: For crimes occurring on or after July 1, 2014, the victim must file an application within 3 years of the date of the crime. In cases where the victim was a minor at the time of the victimization and an application was not filed on their behalf, he or she may file an application until 3 years after his or her eighteenth birthday. If good cause is show, the board may extend the time for filing any claim.
- You are an innocent victim of a violent crime and suffered physical injury.
- You went to the aid of another and suffered physical injury and/or serious mental or emotional trauma as a result of a violent crime.
- You witnessed or were threatened with a crime and suffered serious mental or emotional trauma as a result.
- You are the parent or legal guardian of a minor victim and you paid bills/out of pocket expenses related to the victimization.
- You are the parent or legal guardian of a minor victim and you suffered a loss of income or support due to the victimization.
- You are the surviving spouse, parent, sibling or child of a homicide victim (includes step relationships for crimes occurring on or after May 6, 2015).
- You were legally dependent on financial support from a deceased crime victim.
- You are a family violence victim who is dependent on financial support from the offender.
- You are not the victim, but you have been paying bills related to the crime.
- You are someone who has taken responsibility (or is listed as a guarantor) for debt incurred as a result of a violent crime.
Please Note: Our program does not cover suicide or suicide related expenses.