NYS: Expanded access to compensation for victims and survivors of crime

New laws increase caps on funeral and burial expenses to $12,000, reimbursement for victims of financial scams to $2,500, and expand eligibility for crime scene cleanup costs

Submitted by the Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul 

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced expanded access to compensation for individuals who have been impacted by homicide and other crimes, and victimized by financial scams. New laws increase caps on funeral and burial expenses to $12,000, and reimbursement for victims of financial scams to $2,500, and allow anyone responsible for crime scene cleanup costs to seek reimbursement – regardless of whether they lived where the crime occurred. These changes take effect immediately and apply to claims filed with the state Office of Victim Services on or after that date.

Hochul secured these new caps, expanded eligibility and other significant measures to improve services for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and other crimes as part of the FY26 enacted budget.

“Protecting New Yorkers from harm is my No. 1 priority – and that includes ensuring that no one faces the emotional and financial toll of a tragedy alone,” Hochul said. “That is why I advocated for these new laws … that not only increase support for victims and their families, but also affirm our state’s commitment to standing with survivors as they pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives.”

The state Office of Victim Services (OVS) provides a financial safety net for individuals facing out-of-pocket, crime-related expenses without any other means to pay for them. The cap on funeral and burial expenses has been doubled from $6,000 to $12,000 and, also effective now, state law has been amended to eliminate contributory conduct in homicide cases. This change recognizes that individuals who lose someone to a violent, sudden act shouldn’t face financial hardship or lack support as they grieve. Previously, state law allowed the OVS to reduce reimbursement for funeral and burial costs and other crime-related expenses up to 50% if the agency determined that an individual’s actions contributed to their death. Changes also include:

•Expanded access to crime scene cleanup costs. Previously, an individual could only receive reimbursement (up to $2,500) if they lived where the crime occurred. Now, anyone who pays out-of-pocket for those expenses is eligible to seek OVS assistance.

•Increased support for victims of financial scams. Individuals younger than 18, older than 60, and/or those disabled, physically injured or meet other eligibility criteria, may now receive up to $2,500 if they have been victims of financial scams. The cap on reimbursement had been $100.

OVS Director Bea Hanson said, “New York state has a long, strong and proud history of supporting those in need and protecting its most vulnerable residents. No governor has invested in public safety and supported victims and survivors of crime as much as Gov. Hochul, who recognizes that keeping New Yorkers safe means ensuring individuals in crisis receive the support and services they need to help them recover and thrive. These changes provide greater access to critical relief for those impacted by crime and violence.”

These changes in compensation occur as OVS continues working to implement the state’s Fair Access to Victim Compensation Act, which takes effect Dec. 31, and eliminates the need for individuals to report a crime to law enforcement. Instead, OVS will accept documentation from a victim service provider, mental health provider, or medical provider attesting that the person was a victim of a crime. This law, which also extends the timeframe for filing a compensation claim, recognizes that individuals may be reluctant to involve the criminal justice system because of fear of further harm to them or their family, prior experiences with police, or their immigration status, for example.

The FY26 enacted budget included commonsense changes to the state’s discovery laws championed by Hochul that maintain due process for defendants while replacing a system that allowed for automatic dismissals based on technical errors and had adverse effects on survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and other serious crimes. It also includes the first funding increase for rape crisis centers in a decade: nearly $13 million – double the funding included in last year’s budget – for 52 programs across the state certified by the state Department of Health.

New laws expanding protections and services for survivors of sexual assault will take effect Feb. 3, 2026: extending HIV prophylaxis medication coverage to all survivors of sexual assault, not just those younger than 18; and increasing the reimbursement rates for forensic exams and expanding virtual forensic exam services in underserved areas. Individuals impacted by gender-based violence have improved access to public assistance, and vendors doing business with New York state must affirm they have a gender-based violence workplace policy because of Hochul’s advocacy.

During state FY25, the OVS provided nearly $20 million in financial assistance to victims and survivors of crime. New York is the only state in the country with no cap on medical and counseling expenses, which ensures eligible individuals receive help for as long as they need it. All reimbursement and payments for crime-related costs are paid by fines, fees and surcharges paid by certain individuals convicted in state or federal court, not federal or state tax dollars.

In addition to administering compensation, OVS funds and supports a network of victim assistance programs that provide counseling, support groups, legal services, emergency shelter, advocacy and other confidential services at no cost to anyone who needs them.

Visit ovs.ny.gov for more information and follow the OVS on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X (Twitter).