The following individuals, or their surviving family members, can apply for compensation benefits:

• A victim or intervenor;
• A surviving spouse, parent, stepparent, adult child or sibling of a deceased victim;
• The guardian applying on behalf of a minor victim, incompetent person, surviving minor child of a deceased victim, or surviving minor sibling of a deceased victim;
• A relative applying on behalf of a deceased victim when there is no other source for payment of funeral expenses and there is an eligible applicant who has applied;
• A non-relative applying for funeral benefits on behalf of a deceased victim when no family member is available to pay for funeral expenses and there is an eligible applicant who has applied; or,
• Any other person applying for loss of support benefits who was dependent on the deceased victim or intervenor’s income for principal support.

For victim compensation benefits, the victim must have been physically injured or killed as the result of a compensable crime, received a psychiatric or psychological injury from a forcible felony, or have been diagnosed by a psychologist or physician with a mental injury from child abuse.

For property loss benefits, the victim must be at least 60 years of age or disabled at the time of the criminal or delinquent act and have suffered a tangible personal property loss that substantially diminishes their quality of life.

For relocation benefits, the victim of domestic violence must have an immediate need to escape, and their claim form be filed through and certified by a domestic violence center in Florida. The victim of sexual battery must have a reasonable fear for their continued safety, and their claim form be filed through and certified by a rape crisis center in Florida. The victim of sexual human trafficking must have an urgent need to escape an unsafe environment, and their claim form be filed through and certified by a domestic violence or rape crisis center in Florida.

Complete Application
If the application package is not complete when received by the Bureau of Victim Compensation, it will not be processed timely and may be denied. Please refer to the instructions provided on the Bureau of Victim Compensation Claim Form, for information about the documentation that is required which depends on the benefit type requested.

Reporting Times
The crime must be reported to local law enforcement or other proper authorities within 120 hours. If the crime was not reported in a timely manner, the victim must provide a good cause explanation for the delay.

Filing Times
The Bureau of Victim Compensation must receive the Bureau of Victim Compensation Claim Form, also known as the “application”, within three years after the date of crime, the crime related death, or after the death is determined to be the result of a crime. Alternatively, the application must be received within five years after the date of crime and the victim provide a good cause explanation for the delay. Exceptions apply to victims who are minors. Different filing time requirements may apply.

Cooperation
While it is not necessary for the identity of the offender to be known, the victim is required to cooperate fully with law enforcement officials, the State Attorney’s Office, and the Attorney General’s Office.

Unlawful Activity and Contributory Conduct Disqualifiers
If law enforcement or other proper authorities identify that the victim was engaged in an unlawful activity or contributed to the situation that caused their own injury or death, the claim will be denied.

Proof of Crime
Information from law enforcement or other proper authorities is required to determine if the claimant is the victim of a compensable crime. Acceptable documentation proving that a compensable crime occurred includes a law enforcement report; affidavit charging an individual with a crime filed by law enforcement; information report filed by a state attorney; indictment by a grand jury; written communication from any federal law enforcement agency; cybercrime investigator certification for purposes of s. 960.197, Fla. Stat.; or Law Enforcement Information Reporting Form BVC430. For assistance with collecting acceptable documentation, victims are encouraged to contact their local law enforcement agency, the agency where the crime was reported, the referral source, or their local State Attorney’s Office.

Note: The basic eligibility requirements specified above outline some of the eligibility requirements. There are other factors not mentioned that may affect eligibility or payment determinations.