Program Directory

South Carolina

State Office of Victim Assistance
Office of the Governor

1205 Pendleton St., Room 401
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 734-1900
FAX: (803) 734-1708
1-800-220-5370 (victims only)

Web site: www.oepp.sc.gov/sova
Application: www.oepp.sc.gov/sova/apps.html

Director: Ashlie Lancaster
Senior Manager Restitution and Appeals: Larry Harris; Senior Manager for Community Victim Services: Ethel Douglas Ford

Created in 1983, the program operates within the Governor’s Office. Appeals are heard by a three-member panel of an eleven-member Crime Victims’ Advisory Board. Along with compensation applications, the program handles approximately 2,500 payments for forensic examinations in sexual assault cases annually. SOVA also administers South Carolina’s Victim/Witness Assistance Program.

FUNDING
Funds come from a fluctuating percentages of fines, fees, and assessments levied by courts for various offenses. The program receives an annual VOCA compensation grant.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Law enforcement reporting period: 48 hours
Filing period: 180 days
Exceptions: For good cause, applicants may file up to 4 years from the crime or the date of its discovery

Minimum loss: $100, unless applicant is 65 or older; must have two weeks' continuous lost wages to qualify for lost-wage benefit

PROCEDURES
Program staff make decisions on applications.

Appeals: The applicant has 30 days to appeal in writing to the Crime Victims’ Advisory Board. The decision of the Board is final.

BENEFITS
Maximum award: $15,000; up to $25,000 in catastrophic cases per Advisory Board approval

Compensable Costs (with limits)

Medical expenses
Mental health counseling: 20 sessions or 180 days of treatment, whichever is greater
Lost wages/support: based on state worker's compensation rate
Funerals: $4,000
Travel: to obtain medical assistance
Rehabilitation
Attorney fees: up to 10% of award in addition to award, only for appealed cases
Emergency: $500




	Program Directory South Carolina State Office of Victim Assistance Office of the Governor 1205 Pendleton St., Room 401 Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 734-1900 FAX: (803) 734-1708 1-800-220-5370 (victims only) Web site: www.oepp.sc.gov/sova Application: www.oepp.sc.gov/sova/apps.html Director: Ashlie Lancaster Senior Manager Restitution and Appeals: Larry Harris; Senior Manager for Community Victim Services: Ethel Douglas Ford Created in 1983, the program operates within the Governor’s Office. Appeals are heard by a three-member panel of an eleven-member Crime Victims’ Advisory Board. Along with compensation applications, the program handles approximately 2,500 payments for forensic examinations in sexual assault cases annually. SOVA also administers South Carolina’s Victim/Witness Assistance Program. FUNDING Funds come from a fluctuating percentages of fines, fees, and assessments levied by courts for various offenses. The program receives an annual VOCA compensation grant. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Law enforcement reporting period: 48 hours Filing period: 180 days Exceptions: For good cause, applicants may file up to 4 years from the crime or the date of its discovery Minimum loss: $100, unless applicant is 65 or older; must have two weeks' continuous lost wages to qualify for lost-wage benefit PROCEDURES Program staff make decisions on applications. Appeals: The applicant has 30 days to appeal in writing to the Crime Victims’ Advisory Board. The decision of the Board is final. BENEFITS Maximum award: $15,000; up to $25,000 in catastrophic cases per Advisory Board approval Compensable Costs (with limits) Medical expenses Mental health counseling: 20 sessions or 180 days of treatment, whichever is greater Lost wages/support: based on state worker's compensation rate Funerals: $4,000 Travel: to obtain medical assistance Rehabilitation Attorney fees: up to 10% of award in addition to award, only for appealed cases Emergency: $500

South Carolina

State Office of Victim Assistance Office of the Governor

State Office of Victim Assistance
Office of the Governor