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Crime Victims Compensation Program

The North Dakota Crime Victims Compensation Program provides a method of compensating and assisting innocent victims of criminal acts who suffer bodily injury or death. It does not provide compensation for property loss or damage. Compensation is provided in the amount of expenses actually suffered as a direct result of the criminal acts of others.

A claim for compensation must be filed within one year after the date of injury or death. Compensation will not be awarded to one who is the offender or an accomplice, or others if the award would unjustly benefit the offender or accomplice.

Compensation may not be awarded if the criminally injurious conduct was not reported to law enforcement within 72 hours after its occurrence. The Board, upon finding that a claimant has not fully cooperated with law enforcement, may deny, reconsider or reduce an award.

There are various benefits available through the compensation program:

  • reasonable medical, mental health treatment, and prescribed medication;

  • wage loss (up to $300 per week);

  • replacement services (expenses incurred for services the claimant would normally have performed);

  • funeral expenses up to $3,000;

  • dependent's economic loss (loss of deceased's wages up to $300 per week);

  • dependent's replacement services loss (expenses incurred by dependent for services which would normally have been performed for the dependents by the deceased victim).

The Crime Victims Compensation total benefits may not exceed $25,000. Claims may be filed by the victim, a representative of the victim, or by a dependent of a deceased victim.

If restitution is paid, expenses paid by the program must be reimbursed. If there is recovery through a civil suit, reimbursement may be required for expenses already paid, or a claim may be denied if the recovery is more than the victim's economic loss.

This fund is a secondary source which pays only for loss not paid by other sources, such as, but not limited to:  medical insurance, medical assistance, Medicare, sick leave or annual leave paid by the employer, social security, workers compensation or other disability benefits.

For additional information in regard to the Crime Victims Compensation Program, you may write to them at P.O. Box 5521, Bismarck, ND 58506, or by telephone at 701-328-6195 or toll free 1-800-445-2322.

Crime Victims Compensation
P.O. Box 5521
Bismarck, ND 58206-5521

701-328-6195
800-445-2322 Toll Free
800-366-6888 ND RELAY TDD

 If you have any questions or problems related to a case, please click on the "Contact Victim Witness Services Staff" link below or contact the Assistant United States Attorney assigned to the case.

Contact Victim Witness Services Staff

Updated August 30, 2022