Safety, Crime, Reentry & Legal Help · Surprise rank #324
Crime Left You With Bills? New York May Reimburse Costs Insurance Does Not Cover
New York’s Office of Victim Services can reimburse eligible crime victims and certain family members for out-of-pocket losses tied to a crime. Covered costs can go well beyond medical bills.
Who
People injured by or otherwise qualifying as victims of crime in New York, and in some cases surviving family members or other eligible claimants who paid crime-related expenses.
What to do
Start here: Use the New York Office of Victim Services compensation page to review eligibility and start a claim. A victim-assistance program can also help with the application.
Eligibility: Eligibility depends on the crime, the claimant’s relationship to the victim, cooperation/reporting requirements and whether the expense is otherwise reimbursed. OVS generally pays eligible out-of-pocket losses not covered by insurance or another source.
What you get
Crime-victim compensation can cover eligible unreimbursed expenses such as medical and counseling care, lost earnings or support, funeral costs, relocation, essential personal property and other qualifying losses.
Benefit: Potential reimbursement for qualifying crime-related losses, including up to $2,500 for essential personal property, up to $12,000 for funeral/burial costs, up to $2,500 for relocation, and up to $30,000 for lost earnings or support, subject to program rules.
Possible value: Varies widely by the loss. Some claims are worth hundreds of dollars; serious cases involving lost earnings, medical costs or funeral expenses can be worth thousands or tens of thousands.
Good to know
Important: This is compensation for eligible losses, not an automatic cash award for being victimized. Documentation matters, deadlines and reporting exceptions can apply, and OVS generally will not duplicate payments available from insurance or another source.
Availability: Active statewide program.
Why people miss it: Many people assume victim compensation only covers medical bills or only applies after a conviction.
Sources reviewed: Aug 10, 2026