October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the Tennessee Department of Treasury wants Tennesseans to know the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund can be a vital financial resource for victims of violent crime, including domestic violence.
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Program helps eligible victims and their families cover expenses such as medical bills, lost wages, loss of support to financial dependents, mental health counseling, and funeral costs when no other financial resources are available.
This year’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month national theme, “With Survivors, Always,” underscores the importance of support systems.
In that spirit, State Treasurer David H. Lillard Jr. encourages nonprofits, churches, shelters, law enforcement, and other victim assistance organizations go to treasury.tn.gov to take advantage of the on-demand Criminal Injuries training. These resources help advocates understand eligibility and how to assist victims in applying for compensation.
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund is designed to be a last resort, filling financial gaps when insurance or other support is unavailable or insufficient.
It can even help with expenses incurred while cleaning the scene of the crime if it occurred in a victim’s home. If the crime results in the death of the victim, the fund can assist remaining dependents with some financial support and help cover funeral expenses.
The fund does not cover certain ineligible expenses, such as rent or utility bills, costs from identity theft or fraud, personal property, or expenses that will be paid by any public or private source, including insurance or donations.
Visit treasury.gov/injury for more about the Criminal Injuries Compensation Program.