Violent Crime Victims Awarded Financial Assistance In Kansas

Nearly 400 victims of violent crimes in Kansas were awarded financial assistance by the Kansas Crime Victims Compensation Board Thursday.

The program was established in 1978 to help victims of violent crime pay for their unexpected expenses such as medical treatment, counseling, lost wages, dependent support and funeral expenses.

The state’s Compensation Board determines which claims are eligible for payment and how much money will be awarded, with a max total of $25,000 with limitations of $5,000 for funeral expense, $5,000 for outpatient mental health counseling, $10,000 for inpatient mental health treatment and $1,500 for grief counseling for family survivors of homicide victims.

Awards were made in 163 new cases. Additional expenses were paid in 216 previously submitted cases, bringing Thursday’s total to $375,000.

The program is funded by court costs and fines, inmate wages, parole fees and restitution paid by convicted offenders.

For more information about the Crime Victims Compensation program call (785) 296-2359 or visit the attorney general’s website at www.ag.ks.gov.