Victim Compensation Payments Go Digital: Attorney General Platkin Unveils Revolutionary Online Platform

The new federally-funded system promises a user-friendly experience, increased access, and multi-lingual support, aiming to streamline aid for crime victims.

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, in conjunction with the Division of Violence Intervention and Victim Assistance (VIVA), unveiled a revolutionary online case processing system designed to streamline and improve access to critical support offered by the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO). The system's update arrives as a milestone in the victim assistance field, providing the first-of-its-kind online portal for claimants.

This initiative, supported by the federal Building State Technology Capacity grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime, comes as an upgrade to the VCCO's previous case processing system. It's projected to improve user experience significantly, enabling applicants to file from both desktop and mobile devices, in 133 different languages, and sign applications electronically.

Attorney General Platkin commended the innovative approach, stating, "We have an obligation to help victims and survivors of crime get the assistance they need by breaking down barriers that slow down or subject them to re-victimization."

This commitment is set to deliver a 20% increase in financial support to victims, with the VCCO estimating a payout of $19 million for the fiscal year 2023.

The new system enhances flexibility for victims, offering a choice between electronic or traditional mail for future communications from the VCCO. This move aims to ensure accessibility and inclusivity, crucial to the VCCO's mission to alleviate the economic and emotional burdens of victimization.

Mary Ellen Bonsper, Director of the Victims of Crime Compensation Office, emphasizes the importance of this transformation: "This is just one step in VCCO’s ongoing efforts to expand the ways in which we can help individuals impacted by crime. It is our hope that with these upgrades, more victims will file claims online and utilize the tools that can expedite the processing of their claims.”

This innovative approach enhances the crime victim support infrastructure, reflecting Attorney General Platkin's commitment to transforming public safety, made evident when he established VIVA last September.

For details on eligibility and to file an online claim, victims and survivors of crime can visit the official VCCO website and the online claim portal.