The LCLE (Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement) has a program which can pay you back for certain expenses you had as a direct result of certain crimes (typically violent). Each parish has a local representative you should contact to learn more. The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office handles this for Orleans Parish; you can call and make an appointment with the representative. Click Here for our expanded guide to this program.

APPLICATION FORMS

Application forms are obtained through the Sheriff’s office. Forms are also available through the NOPD and DA’s Victim Witness offices. No one will be refused an application.

QUALIFICATIONS

To qualify for crime victims’ reparations, the following guidelines must be met:

• The crime involved the use of force, or resulted in personal injury, death, or catastrophic property loss

• The crime was reported to police within 72 hours, and a claim filed within one year of the incident

• Your losses are not reimbursable from any other source

• Your behavior did not contribute to the incident *New rules urge the board to favor partial awards rather than full denials, considering the “totality of circumstances” when making a decision

• You were incarcerated when the crime occurred

• When a child (under age 18) is victimized, a parent or adult guardian has to act as the claimant

• It does pay for some accidents, such as DUI, hit and run, or negligent injury

• Use of private insurance in sexual assault cases is voluntary and is NOT necessary to receive assistance

EMERGENCY AWARD

You may be eligible for an emergency award, up to $1,000, if qualified. You must fill out the forms within a timely basis. The money will be paid out quickly, as soon as it is available.

ELIGIBILITY

Note that the figures below are guidelines and are not guaranteed:

• Reasonable medical, prescription and dental expenses (up to $15,000 for crimes after May 1, 2023; previous crimes up to $10,000)

• Mental health counseling (up to $2,500, with an additional $2,500 possible with documentation)

• Funeral, burial or cremation expenses (up to $6,500 for crimes after May 1, 2023; previous crimes up to $5,000)

• Forensic medical exam (rape kit) is paid directly to the healthcare facility providing the service

• Lost wages while under a doctor’s care and unable to return to work, or from taking care of a dependent (up to $15,000 for crimes after May 1, 2023; previous crimes up to $10,000)

• Childcare expenses (if they have increased due to the crime)

• Catastrophic property loss of a primary home you own (up to $15,000 for crimes after May 1, 2023; previous crimes up to $10,000)

• Crime scene cleanup (up to $2,500)

• Relocation (NEW) (up to $5,000 for head of household)

• TOTAL claim limit = $15,000 (for crimes after May 1, 2023)

CHECKLIST OF DOCUMENTS NEEDED

You may need the following documents in order to complete the forms (in the event of a death). Check with your Parish Contact (Listed on the CVR website here for requirements, which may be different for each case.

1. NOPD incident report or item number *Note, there are procedures now to verify a crime has occurred through alternate documentation - Ask your Parish Contact.

2. Newspaper article(s) about the incident (if applicable)

3. Any receipts for funeral and cemetery expenses

4. A copy of life and/or burial insurance policy

5. A copy of the itemized bill for the funeral costs

6. A copy of the death certificate

7. Victim’s and claimant’s social security cards

8. Claimant’s valid drivers license or ID

CHECKLIST OF DOCUMENTS NEEDED

You will need the following documents in order to complete the forms (in the event of assault and/or injury) Check with your Parish Contact (Listed on the CVR website here for requirements, which may be different for each case.

1. NOPD incident report or item number *Note, there are procedures now to verify a crime has occurred through alternate documentation - Ask your Parish Contact.

2. Newspaper article(s) about the incident (if applicable)

3. Itemized bills for medical care

4. Any medical insurance information / insurance card

5. Receipts for out of pocket payments to medical bills (attached to applicable bills or cross referenced in a numbered list)

6. If you have medical insurance, copies of explanations of benefits to indicate what portion of any bills were paid by insurance

7. Date of forensic medical exam and name of examiner (for sexual assault forms)

8. Documentation of medical mileage (if 20+ miles away)

PROCESSING THE FORMS

The Sheriff’s Office gathers any further necessary information from the victim’s family, and/or from the survivor, and will inform you of any other monies for which you may be eligible.

• Reach out to your Parish Contact who can help you with all the requirements and answer questions. You can find the parish contact information here: CVR Resources – LCLE (la.gov)

• If there are many expenses, the process is much faster if documents are available and organized (making copies of bills and payments as they arise is suggested).

The forms are then sent to the LCLE in Baton Rouge. You will get a letter from the LCLE to confirm that the forms have been received.

• It will take on average 60–90 days to hear whether your claim is being accepted and funded (this varies, so always ask your parish contact to be sure.

• Assistance with these forms may be available from local advocacy organizations.

• You can get more information on the overall process at (888) 6-VICTIM, or https://lcle.la.gov/programs/cvr/ (where forms can also be downloaded)