Claimant / Victim FAQs | Virginia Victims Fund

Can I check the status of my claim online?

If you filed your claim through WebFile, you may log in any time to view updates on your claim.

If you did not file your claim through WebFile you will need to submit a VVF Support Request and VVF staff will respond to you via email shortly.

What if law enforcement did not classify the incident as a crime?

VVF must determine whether a qualifying crime occurred based on available information, which may include law enforcement reports and other documentation. If sufficient information is not provided, your claim may be denied. To learn more, please see page 8 of the VVF Policy Manual.

What happens if the claim is denied?

Correspondence is sent to the Claimant, along with information about the appeal process or reconsideration options.

Is personal identifying information kept confidential?

Yes. Your information is handled with strict confidentiality and shared only with authorized individuals involved in processing your claim.

Who can see claim documents?

Only trained staff assigned to the claim and, where applicable, authorized partners involved in the review process.

Can someone help me with my claim?

Yes. Local Victim/Witness Advocates and program staff are available to assist you throughout the process.

I have a different question.

Please submit a VVF Support Request and a VVF staff representative will respond to your question shortly.

Do mental health providers have to be licensed in order for VVF to cover their fees?

For VVF to cover counseling, it must be provided by a medical doctor, clinical psychologist, clinical social worker, or licensed professional counselor. Group therapy and support groups may be covered if they are under the supervision of a licensed professional.

What if someone becomes the victim of a crime while on the job? Should they file with Workers’ Compensation of the Virginia Victims Fund?

If someone is injured by a crime while they are on the job, they should file with the Workers’ Compensation Commission and the Virginia Victims Fund. Workers’ Compensation will consider the claim first. Once Worker’s Compensation has made a decision about the claim, the victim should provide that decision letter to VVF. VVF will cover any expenses that Workers’ Compensation does not cover.

What are my rights as a victim of crime?

Being a victim of crime can be an overwhelming and difficult experience. The Virginia Victims Fund is in place to help you. In addition to our services, you have certain rights under Virginia law. VVF has an Ombuds who is available to assist with questions and resource referrals. Learn more about the Crime Victims Rights Act.

	General FAQs
Can I check the status of my claim online?	Can I check the status of my claim online?
What if law enforcement did not classify the incident as a crime?	What if law enforcement did not classify the incident as a crime?
What happens if the claim is denied?	What happens if the claim is denied?
Is personal identifying information kept confidential?	Is personal identifying information kept confidential?
Who can see claim documents?	Who can see claim documents?
Can someone help me with my claim?	Can someone help me with my claim?
Do mental health providers have to be licensed in order for VVF to cover their fees?	Do mental health providers have to be licensed in order for VVF to cover their fees?
What if someone becomes the victim of a crime while on the job? Should they file with Workers’ Compensation of the Virginia Victims Fund?	What if someone becomes the victim of a crime while on the job? Should they file with Workers’ Compensation of the Virginia Victims Fund?
What are my rights as a victim of crime?	What are my rights as a victim of crime?
Other: I have a different question.	Other: I have a different question.

Is there an income qualification to receive services?

No, there is no income qualification to receive services.

Can VVF pre-pay for services?

VVF can only pay for services after they are rendered. VVF never pre-authorizes payment of any expenses. However, providers may direct bill immediately after services are rendered.

Can a victim receive benefits if a suspect is unknown, deceased, not been arrested or acquitted at trial?

If the offender is unknown or deceased, the victim or their claimant may still be eligible to receive benefits from the Virginia Victims Fund (VVF).

In cases involving hitandrun incidents, an arrest and felony conviction are required for the victim to qualify for an award from VVF.

However, if the offender is known and is not a juvenile, VVF has a legal obligation to pursue reimbursement of the award from the offender.

Can VVF replace stolen property?

VVF can only reimburse for the replacement of certain kinds of property. These include clothing or bedding that was seized as evidence by law enforcement, medically necessary devices lost or damaged (such as glasses, dentures, etc.), or certain items in the home to ensure security. Doors, windows, and locks may be replaced if they are damaged. Security bars or a home security system can be installed.

Will VVF collect restitution that was ordered for property or something else that VVF did not cover?

If restitution was ordered for something that VVF did not pay for, that restitution would go to the victim. VVF will only bill an offender for expenses that have been paid by VVF.

What happens if a victim files a civil suit against the offender after a VVF award has been made?

Virginia law requires a victim to repay the VVF award if they recover any money in a civil suit against the offender.

Can VVF pay expenses in cold cases?

19.2-368.5 (B) allows VVF to accept an application for a cold case that is reopened because of newly discovered evidence. The initial reporting of the incident would still need to fall within the normal eligibility requirements (within 5 days of the incident or within 10 years of the 18th birthday if someone is reporting sexual abuse that occurred while they were a child).

Is the reimbursement I receive from VVF taxable? Am I required to report my award as income on my tax return?

No. Awards/reimbursements received from VVF are not considered taxable income and do not need to be reported as such on your tax return.

I have a different question.

Please submit a VVF Support Request and a VVF staff representative will respond to your question shortly.

	Benefits / Expenses FAQs
Is there an income qualification to receive services?	Is there an income qualification to receive services?
Can VVF pre-pay for services?	Can VVF pre-pay for services?
Can a victim receive benefits if a suspect is unknown, deceased, not been arrested or acquitted at trial?	Can a victim receive benefits if a suspect is unknown, deceased, not been arrested or acquitted at trial?
Can VVF replace stolen property?	Can VVF replace stolen property?
Will VVF collect restitution that was ordered for property or something else that VVF did not cover?	Will VVF collect restitution that was ordered for property or something else that VVF did not cover?
What happens if a victim files a civil suit against the offender after a VVF award has been made?	What happens if a victim files a civil suit against the offender after a VVF award has been made?
Can VVF pay expenses in cold cases?	Can VVF pay expenses in cold cases?
Is the reimbursement I receive from VVF taxable? Am I required to report my award as income on my tax return?	Is the reimbursement I receive from VVF taxable? Am I required to report my award as income on my tax return?
Other: I have a different question.	Other: I have a different question.

Can I check the status of my claim online?

If you filed your claim through WebFile, you may log in any time to view updates on your claim.

If you did not file your claim through WebFile you will need to submit a VVF Support Request and VVF staff will respond to you via email shortly.

What do the claim statuses mean?

Draft - Claim is pending
New Awaiting - Awaiting documentation to determine eligibility
Shelved Pending - Claim awarded until further documentation is submitted to make additional awards
Decision Not Approved/Pending/Further Examination - The claim examiner needs to review claim and may need further documentation.

Learn more about the claims process.

How will I know my documents were received?

If the claim was filed though WebFile, the WebFile application will display a confirmation message stating that the documents were successfully uploaded. In some cases, you may also receive an email. If no confirmation message is received please check the claim in WebFile to see if the documents are visible. If they are not visible in WebFile, the documents were not received and you should upload them again.

If the claim was not filed through WebFile, please complete a VVF Support Request and VVF staff representative will contact you via email shortly.

Can I access my claim in WebFile if a Victim/Witness Advocate has been reassigned to my claim?

No, when a Victim/Witness Advocate is reassigned to your claim, the contact is changed to that of the Advocate, and you will no longer have WebFile access to the claim.

I have a different question about WebFile.

Please submit a VVF Support Request and a VVF staff representative will respond to your question shortly.

	WebFile FAQs
Can I check the status of my claim online?	Can I check the status of my claim online?
What do the claim statuses mean?	What do the claim statuses mean?
How will I know my documents were received?	How will I know my documents were received?
Can I access my claim in WebFile if a Victim/Witness Advocate has been reassigned to my claim?	Can I access my claim in WebFile if a Victim/Witness Advocate has been reassigned to my claim?
Other: I have a different question about WebFile.	Other: I have a different question about WebFile.