By Lily Guiney
Gongwer News Service
Over 1,000 victims have received more than $5 million in benefits in the last year from expansions made in 2023 to Michigan’s Crime Victim Compensation program, the Department of Health and Human Services announced Monday.
The program expansions, signed into law a year ago, help crime victims cover costs related to out-of-pocket medical expenses, lost earnings, funeral bills and counseling. The legislation expanded eligibility for victim compensation to include individuals impacted by crime physically, emotionally, psychologically or mentally.
The maximum award limit within the program was also increased from $25,000 to $45,000. DHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel said the expansions allowed for more victims to be eligible for compensation benefits, including “victims of mass violence incidents who may have experienced mental, psychological and emotional injury.”
“We have been able to help crime victims in Michigan get the assistance they need to aid in their recovery,” Hertel said in a statement. “The physical, emotional and financial impact of trauma can last far beyond the crime itself.?The additional funding and expanded services, such as mental health resources, will help them as they heal from these traumatic events.”
The positive impacts of the expansion over the past year were also praised by community health and criminal justice officials, who said the increased compensation has expanded access to care and resources needed in the aftermath of experiencing a crime.
“These expansions have enabled programs like ours to provide crucial financial relief to victims, their family members, and others in our community experiencing the devastating impact of crime,” Karen Gray Sheffield of Michigan’s Crime Victim Services Commission said in a statement. “By reducing barriers and improving access to compensation benefits, our state continues to prioritize a more victim-centered approach in the way services are provided to crime victims throughout Michigan.”
Mary Larkin, the Oakland County Prosecutor’s office victim services leader, said the impact of the program expansions has been tangible.
“Our office regularly sees the benefit of these expansions for the victims we serve,” Larkin said in a statement. “This eligibility expansion has resulted in many more victims we assist in court being able to receive compensation for mental health treatment, housing relocation, home security measures and possibly lost wages when the emotional impact of a crime prevents them from immediately returning to work.”
Since the legislation went into effect, program staff have experienced a nearly 50 percent increase in total compensation claims, DHHS said, and additional personnel have been hired and trained to work with victims and claimants.
Gongwer News Service
Over 1,000 victims have received more than $5 million in benefits in the last year from expansions made in 2023 to Michigan’s Crime Victim Compensation program, the Department of Health and Human Services announced Monday.
The program expansions, signed into law a year ago, help crime victims cover costs related to out-of-pocket medical expenses, lost earnings, funeral bills and counseling. The legislation expanded eligibility for victim compensation to include individuals impacted by crime physically, emotionally, psychologically or mentally.
The maximum award limit within the program was also increased from $25,000 to $45,000. DHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel said the expansions allowed for more victims to be eligible for compensation benefits, including “victims of mass violence incidents who may have experienced mental, psychological and emotional injury.”
“We have been able to help crime victims in Michigan get the assistance they need to aid in their recovery,” Hertel said in a statement. “The physical, emotional and financial impact of trauma can last far beyond the crime itself.?The additional funding and expanded services, such as mental health resources, will help them as they heal from these traumatic events.”
The positive impacts of the expansion over the past year were also praised by community health and criminal justice officials, who said the increased compensation has expanded access to care and resources needed in the aftermath of experiencing a crime.
“These expansions have enabled programs like ours to provide crucial financial relief to victims, their family members, and others in our community experiencing the devastating impact of crime,” Karen Gray Sheffield of Michigan’s Crime Victim Services Commission said in a statement. “By reducing barriers and improving access to compensation benefits, our state continues to prioritize a more victim-centered approach in the way services are provided to crime victims throughout Michigan.”
Mary Larkin, the Oakland County Prosecutor’s office victim services leader, said the impact of the program expansions has been tangible.
“Our office regularly sees the benefit of these expansions for the victims we serve,” Larkin said in a statement. “This eligibility expansion has resulted in many more victims we assist in court being able to receive compensation for mental health treatment, housing relocation, home security measures and possibly lost wages when the emotional impact of a crime prevents them from immediately returning to work.”
Since the legislation went into effect, program staff have experienced a nearly 50 percent increase in total compensation claims, DHHS said, and additional personnel have been hired and trained to work with victims and claimants.
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