Victim Compensation: Removing Barriers to Michigan's Victim Services (2021)

Summary

A fact sheet titled "Victim Compensation: Removing Barriers to Michigan's Victim Services" arguing that Michigan law creates barriers for crime victims seeking compensation. It states that in 2018 Michigan's Crime Victim Services Commission (CVSC) denied 30% of applications it received, awarding 581 victim compensation claims for an average of $3,813 each. It says survivors have just 48 hours to report a crime if they intend to apply, and that Michigan covers up to $350/week in lost wages, up to $5,000 in funeral and burial expenses and up to $500 in emergency awards. It states that compensation covers a maximum of $25,000 for any application and that this cap has not been raised in over a decade.

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2021 / VICTIM COMPENSATION

REMOVING BARRIERS TO MICHIGAN’S VICTIM SERVICES

Crime is a traumatic experience for nearly everyone

who has been a victim. For many, this is compounded
by significant challenges associated with recovery—in
Michigan, that includes challenges accessing support.

This is a result of barriers built into current
Michigan law. But the state has an opportunity to
improve healing and public safety by enacting proven
policies, supported by survivors across the state,
creating a strong support system for crime victims.

What is victim compensation? Direct financial
support to a victim or victim's family for an expense
that resulted from a crime, such as funeral and

burial costs, medical expenses, lost wages.
counseling, reiocation, and cther costs.

Michigan's Crime Victim Services Commission (CVSC)
Compensation Program has both the lowest application
rate for victim's compensation (as a share of reported
Part | violent crimes) of any state in the country, and a
higher denial rate than the national average of 23%. In
2018, the CVSC denied 30% of applications tt
received—awarding just 581 victim compensation
claims for an average of $3,813 each.

Michigan must update its current systems to better
help survivors, breaking down barriers including:

VICTIM EXCLUSION

Many victims of crime are currently excluded from
accessing victim compensation because their
trauma was not physical or fatal—including survivors
who were held up at gunpoint, survivors of stalking,
some survivors of sexual harm, and other violent crimes
where the victim did not suffer a physical injury but
suffered extreme trauma with a threat of injury

LIMITED ACCESSIBILITY

Trauma ts long-lasting, and those who suffer may not
be ready to seek help immediately. But while the
impacts of crime don't expire, Michigan currently has an
unreasonable time limit to access Support.

Survivors have just 48 hours to report a crime if
they intend to apply for victim’s compensation—the
shortest reporting limit in the country. Atleast 45 states
have longer limits, and at least 7 have none at all. After
meeting the reporting deadline, survivors typically have
just one year to apply for compensation, compared to
29 states with longer application time limits

ALLIANCE FOR W
SAFETY AND JUSTICE >

INADEQUATE SUPPORT

Michigan currently covers up to $350/week in lost
wages or support resulting from a covered crime. For
most victims, that's not enough to cover rent on a two-
bedroom apartment, jet alone living expenses.

The state also restricts coverage on expenses critical to
trauma recovery, including:

* Expenses for victims seeking to relocate for
safety or emotional wellbeing following the crime
In comparison, at least 25 states cover relocation

* Travel expenses for things like attending funerals
and court appearances. At least 42 states cover
travel expenses to varying degrees. Michigan only
covers travel for medical appointments and only if
the survivor can prove that treatment is not
available locally.

« Sufficient costs for a funeral and burial.
Michigan only covers up to $5,000 in funeral/ouria!
expenses —just over half of what the National
Funeral Directors Association estimate is needed

When there is an urgent need for funds, which is often
true for families paying funeral expenses in homicide

cases, Michigan only offers up to $500 in emergency

awards. These funds are often subject to delays, and

barely make a dent in the cost of a funeral.

In Michigan, compensation covers a maximum of
$25,000 for any application—below the national
average, and well below actual costs. This cap has
not been raised in over a decade despite statewide cost
of living increases. In comparison to nearby states, this
number is alarmingly low

LEARN MORE:
ALLIANCEFORSAFET YANDJUSTICE. ORG


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