Program Directory

Montana

Crime Victim Compensation Program, Office of Victim Services and Restorative Justice

P.O. Box 201410
Helena, MT 59620-1410
(406) 444-3653
FAX: (406) 444-4303
1-800-498-6455 (in-state)

Web site: www.doj.mt.gov/victims/victimcompensation.asp

Compensation Program Officer: Kathy Matson

Created in 1978, the program operates within the Board of Crime Control.

FUNDING
The program receives an appropriation from the state general fund. The program receives an annual VOCA compensation grant.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Law enforcement reporting period: 72 hours
Filing period: 1 year
Exceptions: Good cause; child victim has 1 year after 18th birthday to file.

PROCEDURES
Program staff performs all work on applications and makes award or denial.

Appeals: The applicant has 30 days to request an informal hearing in writing and present additional information. A hearing officer is appointed from the Attorney General's Office, and the program's administrative officer represents the program at the hearing. The hearing officer prepares a proposed order to the administrator. The applicant is given 20 days to file exceptions before a final order is made.

BENEFITS
Maximum award: $25,000

Compensable Costs (with limits)

Medical expenses
Mental health counseling: for primary victims, $2,000 or 12 months with possibility of extension (peer review required); secondary victims: maximum of $2,000 or 12 consecutive months per person for the spouse, parent, child, brother, or sister of a homicide victim; and for the parent, brother, or sister of a minor who is a victim of a sex crime. Per-session cost limit is $76.84 per hour for individual therapy
Lost wages/support: 2/3 of average gross weekly wage up to 1/2 of state's average weekly wage (currently $227.03) for employed workers; $100 per week for victim who was unemployed but actively seeking work at time of injury.
Funerals: $3,500
Travel: to obtain medical assistance only if there is no therapist or doctor within 50 miles roundtrip of victim
Attorney fees: no more than 5% of award, paid in addition to the award
Emergency awards




	Program Directory Montana Crime Victim Compensation Program, Office of Victim Services and Restorative Justice P.O. Box 201410 Helena, MT 59620-1410 (406) 444-3653 FAX: (406) 444-4303 1-800-498-6455 (in-state) Web site: www.doj.mt.gov/victims/victimcompensation.asp Compensation Program Officer: Kathy Matson Created in 1978, the program operates within the Board of Crime Control. FUNDING The program receives an appropriation from the state general fund. The program receives an annual VOCA compensation grant. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Law enforcement reporting period: 72 hours Filing period: 1 year Exceptions: Good cause; child victim has 1 year after 18th birthday to file. PROCEDURES Program staff performs all work on applications and makes award or denial. Appeals: The applicant has 30 days to request an informal hearing in writing and present additional information. A hearing officer is appointed from the Attorney General's Office, and the program's administrative officer represents the program at the hearing. The hearing officer prepares a proposed order to the administrator. The applicant is given 20 days to file exceptions before a final order is made. BENEFITS Maximum award: $25,000 Compensable Costs (with limits) Medical expenses Mental health counseling: for primary victims, $2,000 or 12 months with possibility of extension (peer review required); secondary victims: maximum of $2,000 or 12 consecutive months per person for the spouse, parent, child, brother, or sister of a homicide victim; and for the parent, brother, or sister of a minor who is a victim of a sex crime. Per-session cost limit is $76.84 per hour for individual therapy Lost wages/support: 2/3 of average gross weekly wage up to 1/2 of state's average weekly wage (currently $227.03) for employed workers; $100 per week for victim who was unemployed but actively seeking work at time of injury. Funerals: $3,500 Travel: to obtain medical assistance only if there is no therapist or doctor within 50 miles roundtrip of victim Attorney fees: no more than 5% of award, paid in addition to the award Emergency awards