Step One: Getting Started

Step One: Getting Started

New Claim or Upload Documents

The first screen after the “welcome” screen asks if you want to file a new claim or if you want to upload documents. You can upload documents after you submit a claim. To upoad documents, you will need a claim number.

Claim Type

The second screen asks you to choose the claim type you are applying for. This is extremely important. If you don’t select the correct claim type, your application may be denied. Also, the expenses you can get reimbursed for depend on the type of claim you make. For help answering this question, you can use the NY Crime Victims Legal Help’s Victim Compensation Claim Navigator.

Required information includes:

• Your legal first and last names
• Your date of birth 
• If you are filing for somone else: Their legal name and date of birth
• For death claims: Legal name and date of birth of person who died
• Name, address, email and phone number of the Private Attorney if you are represented by one
• Name of the organization (Victim Assistance Program or VAP) of the victim advocate if you are working with one

Important to know

• Selecting the language you prefer to communiate in does not change the language in this online application.
• OVS asks if you would like to give them permission to speak with someone else (a family member, friend, advocate, etc.) about your claim. That person is called an Authorized Representative, If you select “Yes”, then you must have that person’s name, address, phone number, and email to move on to the next screen. If you don’t have all that information, you can select “No” and contact OVS later with all the information and let them know you changed your mind.
• If you originally filed a claim with the help of a crime victim advocate in one program but later begin working with an advocate from a different program, you can use this VAP Authorization Form to give the new advocate permission to speak with OVS and help you with the claim.
• Only list the name of a private attorney if they are helping you file this claim or are representing you in a civil suit related to the crime. Do not include the names of the District Attorney or Assistant District Attorney prosecuting the criminal case.