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Victims' Compensation

The Texas Crime Victims' Compensation Fund helps innocent victims and their families when they have no other means for the financial cost of crime.  The Fund is administered by the Crime Victims' Compensation Program of the Office of the Attorney General.  The money in the Fund comes from people who break the law.

Basic Qualifications:

 Residency

  • The crime must occur in Texas to a Texas resident or a United States residence, or
  • The crime must involve a Texas resident who becomes a victim in another state or country that does not have crime victims' compensation benefits for which the victim would be eligible.

Reporting the Crime

The crime must be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency within a reasonable period of time, but not so late as to interfere with or hamper the investigation and prosecution of the crime.

Who May Qualify:

  • An innocent victim of crime who suffers physical and/or emotional harm or death.
  • an authorized individual acting on behalf of a victim
  • a person who legally assumes the obligations or voluntarily pays certain expenses related to the crime on behalf of the victim
  • a dependent of a victim
  • an immediate family member or household member related by blood or marriage who require psychiatric care or counseling as a result of the crime
  • an person who goes to the aid of the victim or a peace officer
  • a peace  officer, fire fighter, or individual whose employment includes the duty of protecting the public

What Crimes Are Covered:

Crimes like sex-offenses, kidnapping, aggravated robbery, offenses of assault, arson, homicide and other violent crimes in which the victim suffers physical or emotional harm or death.

The following motor-vehicle-related crimes are also covered:  Failure to Stop and Render Aid, DWI, Manslaughter, Criminally Negligent Homicide, Aggravated Assault, Intoxication Manslaughter and Intoxication Assault.

For More Information:

Recorded Information:  800-983-9933 or 512-936-1200 (in Austin)
Public Information & Assistance:  800-252-8011
Main Agency Number:  512-463-2100

Write to:

Crime Victim Services Division - CVC Program,  Office of The Attorney General,  PO Box 12198,  Austin,  Texas 78711-2198