Program Directory

Delaware

Violent Crimes Compensation Board

240 N. James St.
Suite 203
Wilmington, DE 19804
(302) 995-8383
FAX: (302) 995-8387
1-800-464-4357 (in-state)
1-800-273-9500 (out-of-state)

http://courts.delaware.gov/vccb/

Director: Gertrude Burke
Board: Thomas Castaldi (chair), Leah Betts (vice chair), V. Lynn Gregory, Stephen Manista, Stephanie Ligouri

Created in 1975 as an independent judicial branch agency, the board consists of 5 members appointed by the governor, with no more than 3 members of the same party. The program also administers a separate process for payment of forensic exams in sexual assaults.

FUNDING
The program receives an 18% add-on to all fines; traffic offenses are included. Fines of $50 on misdemeanor sex-offense convictions and $100 on felony sex-offense convictions offset costs of forensic rape exams. The program receives an annual VOCA grant.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Law enforcement reporting period: 72 hours
Filing period: 1 year
Exceptions: Extensions to filing period may be granted by board. Board may waive reporting requirement if unreasonable under circumstances of crime. Minimum loss: $25

PROCEDURES
The board meets every week to determine new claims, reopen claims, approve supplemental payments, and hold hearings. On approved claims, victim may reopen claim only within two years from last decision of board.

Appeals: Applicant has 15 days from board's decision to request a "live hearing." The hearing is held before a quorum of the board. If still dissatisfied with the decision, the applicant may appeal to superior court within 30 days following the hearing.

BENEFITS
Maxinlum award: $25,000; additional $25,000 in catastrophic cases

Compensable Costs (with limits)

Medical expenses: program has contracts with hospitals and other health-care providers to accept 80% payment as payment in full
Mental health counseling: for primary victims and family members; also, in a separate procedure outside of regular application process, up to $1,200 for assessment of and short-term counseling for children who may be victims or witnesses, with further counseling available through regular application
Lost wages/support
Funerals: $8,500; includes $6,000 for funeral, $1,000 for plot, $750 for opening/closing grave, $750 for marker
Moving/relocation: $1,500 for temporary housing for domestic violence victims
Travel: for medical and counseling, if more than 10 miles roundtrip from victim's residence
Crime-scene cleanup: $1,000
Replacement of items seized as evidence
Attorney fees: not to exceed 15% of award or $1,000, whichever is less.




	Program Directory Delaware Violent Crimes Compensation Board 240 N. James St. Suite 203 Wilmington, DE 19804 (302) 995-8383 FAX: (302) 995-8387 1-800-464-4357 (in-state) 1-800-273-9500 (out-of-state) http://courts.delaware.gov/vccb/ Director: Gertrude Burke Board: Thomas Castaldi (chair), Leah Betts (vice chair), V. Lynn Gregory, Stephen Manista, Stephanie Ligouri Created in 1975 as an independent judicial branch agency, the board consists of 5 members appointed by the governor, with no more than 3 members of the same party. The program also administers a separate process for payment of forensic exams in sexual assaults. FUNDING The program receives an 18% add-on to all fines; traffic offenses are included. Fines of $50 on misdemeanor sex-offense convictions and $100 on felony sex-offense convictions offset costs of forensic rape exams. The program receives an annual VOCA grant. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Law enforcement reporting period: 72 hours Filing period: 1 year Exceptions: Extensions to filing period may be granted by board. Board may waive reporting requirement if unreasonable under circumstances of crime. Minimum loss: $25 PROCEDURES The board meets every week to determine new claims, reopen claims, approve supplemental payments, and hold hearings. On approved claims, victim may reopen claim only within two years from last decision of board. Appeals: Applicant has 15 days from board's decision to request a "live hearing." The hearing is held before a quorum of the board. If still dissatisfied with the decision, the applicant may appeal to superior court within 30 days following the hearing. BENEFITS Maxinlum award: $25,000; additional $25,000 in catastrophic cases Compensable Costs (with limits) Medical expenses: program has contracts with hospitals and other health-care providers to accept 80% payment as payment in full Mental health counseling: for primary victims and family members; also, in a separate procedure outside of regular application process, up to $1,200 for assessment of and short-term counseling for children who may be victims or witnesses, with further counseling available through regular application Lost wages/support Funerals: $8,500; includes $6,000 for funeral, $1,000 for plot, $750 for opening/closing grave, $750 for marker Moving/relocation: $1,500 for temporary housing for domestic violence victims Travel: for medical and counseling, if more than 10 miles roundtrip from victim's residence Crime-scene cleanup: $1,000 Replacement of items seized as evidence Attorney fees: not to exceed 15% of award or $1,000, whichever is less.