Governor Hochul announces expanded access to compensation for victims and survivors of crime

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced expanded access to compensation for individuals who have been impacted by homicide and other crimes and victimized by financial scams.

New laws increase caps on funeral and burial expenses to $12,000 and reimbursement for victims of financial scams to $2,500 and allow anyone responsible for crime scene cleanup costs to seek reimbursement, regardless of whether they lived where the crime occurred.

These changes took effect as of Wednesday and apply to claims filed with the state Office of Victim Services on or after that date.

“Protecting New Yorkers from harm is my number one priority – and that includes ensuring that no one faces the emotional and financial toll of a tragedy alone,” Governor Hochul said.

Previously, state law allowed the Office of Victim Services to reduce reimbursement for funeral and burial costs and other crime-related expenses up to 50 percent if the agency determined that an individual’s actions contributed to their death.

Changes also include:

• Expanded access to crime scene cleanup costs. Previously, an individual could only receive reimbursement (up to $2,500) if they lived where the crime occurred. Now, anyone who pays out-of-pocket for those expenses is eligible to seek OVS assistance.
• Increased support for victims of financial scams. Individuals younger than 18, older than 60, and/or those disabled, physically injured or meet other eligibility criteria may now receive up to $2,500 if they have been victims of financial scams. The cap on reimbursement had been $100.

Image via the office of New York Governor Kathy Hochul.