Missouri Crime Victims' Compensation: How It Works, and When You Need an Attorney

There is no official processing time published by the state, and every claim is different. The Missouri Department of Public Safety verifies the crime report, your eligibility, and your expenses with third parties (police, medical providers, employers) before it pays, and it pays only after other sources like health insurance are applied. Claimants commonly report waits of several months. Filing a complete application with all supporting documents, and responding quickly to any request for information, is the best way to avoid delays.

The maximum is $25,000 total per claim under Section 595.030, RSMo. That ceiling includes every category combined. Within it, funeral and burial expenses are capped at $5,000, lost wages or loss of support at $400 per week (for crimes on or after August 28, 2015), and attorney fees at up to 15% of the award. A civil claim against a negligent property owner is separate and is not subject to these caps.

You generally have two years from the date of the crime (or its discovery) to file, under Section 595.025.2, RSMo. For a death, the two years typically run from the date of death. If the victim was a minor, the deadline may be extended; confirm your specific deadline with the Missouri Crime Victims' Compensation Unit or an attorney. Do not wait until the deadline, because supporting evidence and records are easier to gather early.

Victims of violent crime, and in certain cases their relatives or dependents (for counseling, funeral costs, or loss of support in a death case), may qualify. A Missouri resident who is victimized in another state may also be eligible. You must have reported the crime to the proper authorities and cooperated with law enforcement. The offender does not have to be arrested or convicted for you to receive compensation.

Yes. Eligibility does not depend on catching, charging, or convicting the offender. The program decides claims on a 'more likely than not' standard, which is far lower than the criminal 'beyond a reasonable doubt' standard. What matters is that a qualifying crime occurred, you reported it, and you cooperated with the investigation.

The program does not pay for pain and suffering, and it does not cover crimes where only property was stolen or damaged. It is a 'payor of last resort,' so anything covered by another source (health insurance, auto insurance, a settlement, Medicaid or Medicare, or fundraising such as a GoFundMe) is deducted first. Life insurance is not counted as one of those sources. Pain and suffering and the full value of your losses are exactly what a civil claim can pursue.

No. You can apply on your own directly through the Missouri Department of Public Safety, and a victim advocate can help at no cost. If an attorney does assist with a compensation claim, their fee is capped at 15% of the award. Many crime victims speak with an attorney less about the state program and more about whether they also have a civil claim against a negligent property owner, which is a separate matter with no upfront cost.

Yes. The state program and a civil premises liability claim are separate and can be pursued at the same time. If you receive compensation and later recover in a civil case, the state may seek reimbursement from your recovery (subrogation), and you must notify the program in writing within 15 days of filing a related lawsuit or entering settlement talks. An attorney can coordinate the two so you keep as much of your recovery as possible.