Manual for Compensation Assistance Victims Compensation Assistance Program Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency Office of Victims’ Services http://www.pccd.pa.gov www.pacrimevictims.org http://www.dave.pa.gov P.O. Box 1167 Harrisburg, PA 17110-1167 800-233-2339 (phone) 717-783-5153 717-787-4306 (fax) [email protected] (email) Updated 4/2018 Manual for Compensation Assistance Pennsylvania Victims Compensation Assistance Program Changes Date Section Change Overview 9/2017 All Sections General updates 10/2017 Loss of Earnings – Non- Change of who can certify disability homicide 1/2018 Counseling Edited exception 4/2018 Medical Certification of Personal Health Related Supplies and Equipment Manual for Compensation Assistance Pennsylvania Victims Compensation Assistance Program Table of Contents INTRODUCTION: ......................................................................................................................... 1 ORGANIZATION AND MANUAL USE ..................................................................................... 2 ACTION TIPS FOR ADVOCATES .............................................................................................. 3 ELIGIBILITY ................................................................................................................................. 5 Eligibility at a Glance: ................................................................................................................ 5 Who is Eligible for Compensation:............................................................................................. 5 Who may File a Claim for Compensation (Eligible Claimant): ................................................. 5 Requirements for receiving compensation: ................................................................................ 6 Benefit maximums: ................................................................................................................... 10 Payor of Last Resort/Collateral Resources: .............................................................................. 10 Miscellaneous Eligibility Information: ..................................................................................... 11 Eligibility Q & A ...................................................................................................................... 13 CLAIMS PROCESS OVERVIEW ............................................................................................... 15 Eligibility: ................................................................................................................................. 15 Verification: .............................................................................................................................. 16 Contribution/Denial Determinations:........................................................................................ 17 Report and Determination (Award Decision): .......................................................................... 17 Appeals: .................................................................................................................................... 18 Report and Determination (Supplemental Decision): ............................................................... 18 EMERGENCY AWARDS ........................................................................................................... 19 Who? ......................................................................................................................................... 19 What? ........................................................................................................................................ 19 How? ......................................................................................................................................... 19 Emergency Awards Q & A ....................................................................................................... 20 SUPPLEMENTAL (ADDITIONAL) EXPENSES ...................................................................... 22 Who? ......................................................................................................................................... 22 What? ........................................................................................................................................ 22 How? ......................................................................................................................................... 22 Supplemental Expenses Q & A................................................................................................. 23 MEDICAL EXPENSES................................................................................................................ 24 Who? ......................................................................................................................................... 24 What? ........................................................................................................................................ 24 Manual for Compensation Assistance Pennsylvania Victims Compensation Assistance Program Page i How? ......................................................................................................................................... 25 What? ........................................................................................................................................ 26 How? ..................................................................................................................................... 28 Childcare/Babysitting Expenses ............................................................................................... 28 What? .................................................................................................................................... 28 How? ..................................................................................................................................... 29 Medical Expenses Q & A ......................................................................................................... 30 HOME HEALTHCARE AND REPLACEMENT SERVICES ................................................... 32 Who? ......................................................................................................................................... 32 What? ........................................................................................................................................ 33 How? ......................................................................................................................................... 33 Home Healthcare and Replacement Services Q & A ............................................................... 35 FUNERAL/BURIAL EXPENSES ............................................................................................... 36 Who? ......................................................................................................................................... 36 What? ........................................................................................................................................ 36 How? ......................................................................................................................................... 36 Funeral Expenses Q & A .......................................................................................................... 38 LOSS OF SUPPORT .................................................................................................................... 40 Who? ......................................................................................................................................... 40 What? ........................................................................................................................................ 41 How? ......................................................................................................................................... 41 Loss of Support Q & A ............................................................................................................. 44 LOSS OF EARNINGS IN HOMICIDES ..................................................................................... 46 Who? ......................................................................................................................................... 46 What? ........................................................................................................................................ 46 How? ......................................................................................................................................... 47 Loss of Earnings in Homicides Q & A ..................................................................................... 49 LOSS OF EARNINGS IN NON-HOMICIDES ........................................................................... 51 Who? ......................................................................................................................................... 51 What? ........................................................................................................................................ 51 How? ......................................................................................................................................... 52 Loss of Earning in Non-Homicides Q & A .............................................................................. 54 COUNSELING ............................................................................................................................