• Incidents of mass violence
U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

• Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event
U.S. CDC

• Tips for Coping with Stress
U.S. CDC

• Tips for Survivors of a Traumatic Event U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

• Tip Sheets from NMVVRC National Mass Violence Victimization Resource Center

• Healing Together Webpage State of Maine, Office of Governor Janet T. Mills

• Talking to Children About Gun Violence
Maine Department of Education

• Helping young children feel safe and cope with grief
From the makers of Sesame Street

• Free multilingual trauma resources
From the Child Mind Institute

• Building resilience in children
From HealthyChildren.org

• Suggested Reading Lists and Other Resources for Providers National Mass Violence Victimization Resource Center

• Healing Together Webpage State of Maine, Office of Governor -Community Support Resources Janet T. Mills

• Community Support ResourcesCommunity Strengthen ME

If you or someone you know is the victim of a violent crime, the Maine Victims' Compensation Program in the Attorney General's Office may be able to help. The Victims' Compensation Program provides financial reimbursement for losses suffered by victims of violent crime and their families.

Who Is Eligible To Apply?

• Victims of violent crimes (including OUI) occurring in Maine

• Dependents and family members of homicide victims

• Any person responsible for the funeral expenses of a homicide victim

What Are The Requirements?

• The crime must have occurred on or after January 1, 1993

• Unless the crime is a sexual assault, the victim must have suffered some bodily injury or a psychological injury resulting from a threat of bodily injury from the crime

• The crime must have been reported to the police within five days unless the victim is a minor or there is good cause for delay

• The claimant must cooperate with the reasonable requests of law enforcement officials in the investigation and prosecution of the crime

• The claimant must apply for compensation within three years of injury or crime related loss, unless the victim is a minor or there is good cause for late filing

• If a victim has insurance and other coverage or eligibility for free care or a sliding scale, that must be applied to an expense or loss before Victims' Compensation pays

What Expenses Are Covered?

To the extent insurance or other funds do not cover crime related expenses, the claimant may be reimbursed for:

• Medical (including equipment, supplies and medications) limited to 75% of actual charges in most cases

• Dental charges and replacement of dentures

• Counseling expenses (for victims, family and household members of homicide victims, sexual assault victims, victims of catastrophic injury, and family/household members who witness the crime)

• Funeral/ burial costs up to $4,500, costs of a marker up to $500

• Lost income (for victims and limited coverage when care of dependents is necessary)

• Loss of financial support (for dependents of homicide victims)

• Crime scene cleaning costs (bio-matter)

• Repair or replacement of locks or other security devices

• Expenses NOT covered: property losses, compensation for pain and suffering, and other losses not medically related.

How to Apply

Write or call for an application to the Victims Compensation Board at the address and phone number at the bottom of this page. You also may obtain a Victims' Compensation application by contacting the Victim Witness Program in the office of your local District Attorney, the United States Attorney, or the Department of Corrections. The link at the right will assist you in contacting a Maine Victim Witness Advocate in your area.

Victims’ Compensation Program
Maine Office of the Attorney General
6 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0006
Tel: (207) 624-7882, or (800) 903-7882

Additional Resources:

• Detailed description of Maine’s victim compensation program and how to apply

• Eligibility checklist

• Application Instructions (pdf)

• Application (word)

• Guidelines for applying for mental health counseling benefits

• Victims' Compensation Fund Act, Title 5 M.R.S.A. 3360-3360-M

• National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Board

Tips for Survivors: Grief After Disaster or Trauma

NMVC Grief and Loss Suggested Reading List

After a Loved One Dies: A Guide to Supporting Children Through Grief

The Power of Parenting: Helping Your Child After a Family Homicide Loss

The Foundations of Grief - a YouTube educational series

Coping with Grief Through the Holidays

Helping Teens With Traumatic Grief

Guiding Adults in Talking to Children About Death and Attending Services

Parenting a Child Who Has Experienced Trauma

Trauma and Sleep: The National Sleep Foundation

Tips for Survivors of a Disaster or Other Traumatic Event: Managing Stress

Managing Distress Grounding Tips for Crime Victims, Survivors and Family Members of Mass Violence Incidents (MVIs)