To find out what other states are doing for financial crime victims, CEJC asked the National Association of Victim Compensation Boards. In response, the Association sent a survey [insert Month and Year of Survey?] to members, which yielded the following:

• In Colorado, most districts reported that they can (and have) paid for counseling in economic crimes cases.
• Florida 
can pay limited amounts ($500) to victims of property losses who are disabled or over 60 years old if the losses directly impact their quality of life.
• Idaho’s compensation law allows programs to compensate victims of any (including non-violent) crimes that involve fines or imprisonment and that result in injuries (including emotional injuries). The program can offer financial counseling that is done in coordination with mental health provider/treatment plans. Often, financial counseling helps resolve emotional injuries.
• In New Jersey, disabled citizens or seniors below the poverty line can receive up to $200 for stolen cash.
• New York law permits the Office of Victim Services to provide both mental and financial counseling to elderly (60 and over) or disabled victims who haven’t suffered physical injuries if it begins within one year from the date of the incident. “Financial counseling” is defined as services provided by licensed professionals and cannot exceed the actual monetary loss or fraudulent charges and/or debt incurred by victims.  For services provided during a six-month period or longer, the Office requires evidence on a semiannual basis that the counseling continues to be necessary as a direct result of the crime. In addition, victims who are under 18, over 60, or disabled can receive up to $500 for essential personal property, which may include no more than $100 for lost cash. For an update, go to
• Comp programs in Oklahoma
 can pay for counseling for victims of financial crimes.
• In Pennsylvania, victims of financial fraud, Internet scams, investment fraud, and identity theft are eligible for mental health counseling services.  Victims can also be reimbursed for travel to therapy appointments. Internet and investment scam victims who suffer cash losses can be reimbursed as long as their primary source of income (50% or more) is from Social Security Retirement or Disability, and pension/ retirement plans. 
• Although Utah’s statutes do not allow for benefits to victims of financial crimes, its compensation program has provided mental health services to victims traumatized as a result of home burglaries if the victim encounters the burglar in the home. Financial crimes that do not involve a risk of bodily harm are not covered.
• In Vermont, Victim comp programs can assist victims of fraud with mental health and financial counseling, lost wages, and gas reimbursement to attend criminal court proceedings. In identity theft cases, they can pay for replacement documentation.
• In [INSERT STATE] , burglary victims qualify for the full range of compensation benefits.
• Wyoming’s program will provide up to $1,500 for mental health counseling for elderly victims of financial fraud.

Many thanks to Dan Eddy, Executive Director of the National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards for his assistance in providing the information.