Crime Victim Compensation

The Crime Victim Compensation Commission was established on July 1, 1967 and is governed by Chapter 351 of the Hawai`i Revised Statutes. For certain crimes, the Commission provides compensation to victims, dependents or parents of deceased victims, and private citizens who have suffered personal injury or property damage in the prevention of a crime or the apprehension of a criminal.

You may seek assistance if you were a victim or associated with a victim of one of the following crimes:

• Murder.
• Manslaughter.
• Negligent Homicide I and II.
• Negligent Injury I and II.
• Assault I-III.
• Sexual Assault I-IV.
• Kidnapping.
• Abuse of Family or Household Member.
• International Terrorism.

Qualifying Criteria for Compensation

An arrest must have been made or the crime must have been reported to law enforcement officials (police, naval investigative service, military police or Federal Bureau of Investigation) without undue delay, and you must qualify as one the persons described below.

• A victim who suffered physical injury, or
• A person responsible for the maintenance of the victim who has suffered monetary loss because of the victim's death or injury, or
• A person engaged in business or educational activity at the scene of a mass casualty (mental health counseling expenses only), or
• A person who has incurred hospital, medical, funeral, and burial expenses as the result of the deceased victim's death or injury, or
• A dependent of a deceased victim, or
• A Hawai`i resident who is injured in a state without a victim compensation program, or
• A Hawai`i resident who is a victim of an act of international terrorism, or
• A relative of a deceased victim of a mass casualty incident (mental health counseling services only), or
• A witness to a mass casualty incident (mental health counseling services only).

If you are eligible, you may receive compensation for:

• Medical and mental health counseling expenses that were not paid by insurance.
• Lost earnings or support that was not reimbursed by other sources.
• Funeral and burial expenses.
• Pain and suffering (victim and "Good Samaritans" only).
• Pecuniary (monetary) damages.
• Property damage ("Good Samaritans" only).

Applying for Compensation

If you wish to seek compensation, you must file an application within 18 months after the date of injury, death, or property damage. Late applications will only be accepted for good cause.

The Commission will attempt to secure law enforcement reports. You will receive a written decision and order from the Commission either awarding compensation or denying your application.

To file an application, please submit:

1. A signed application form
2. Signed release form(s) that authorizes release of medical/mental health treatment information to the Commission from each treatment provider
3. Proof to substantiate your claim, such as bills or receipts

To facilitate your claim, please respond promptly to the Commission's requests for additional information.

If you are making a claim for lost wages you must:

1. Completely fill out and sign the authorization to release employment information form and submit it to your employer.
2. Submit proof to substantiate your claim for lost wages (pay stubs, Income Tax returns, if self employed, and a medical disability certificate) to the Commission.

Application and forms may also be picked up at Department of Public Safety offices statewide. If you have questions, please contact the following:

Department of Public Safety

O`ahu: (808) 587-1143

Hawai`i: (808) 974-4000, ext. 71143

Kaua`i: (808) 274-3141, ext. 71143

Maui: (808) 984-2400, ext. 71143

Moloka`i/Lana`i: 1-800-468-4644, ext. 71143