What is the Minnesota Crime Victim Emergency Fund?
Emergency funds are to be used to meet the emergency needs of victims of crimes not related to domestic abuse, sexual assault or child abuse.
If you are a crime victim who needs assistance related to domestic abuse, sexual assault or child abuse, please contact a victim service program in your area.
What types of expenses may be covered by these funds?
The financial need must have a connection to a recent crime victimization. Emergency fund distribution is not guaranteed and applications will be assessed on a case by case basis.
Emergency assistance may include, but is not limited to, the following expenses:
- Replacement of necessary property that was lost, damaged, or stolen as a result of a crime;
- Purchase and installation of necessary home security devices;
- Transportation to locations related to the victim’s needs as a victim, such as medical facilities and facilities of the criminal justice system;
- Cleanup of a crime scene;
- Reimbursement for reasonable travel and living expenses that the victim incurred to attend court proceedings that were held at a location other than the place where the crime occurred due to the change in venue;
- Reimbursement of towing and storage fees incurred due to impoundment of a recovered stolen vehicle.
- Food;
- Personal expenses (clothing, diapers, personal hygiene items, identification documents, etc.);
- Hotel/motel expenses for safe housing;
- Moving expenses;
- Home expenses (door/window repair, lock change, etc.);
- Telephone service;
- Automobile expenses (minor mechanical repairs, windshield and tire repairs, etc.)
If you were a victim of a violent crime, and have expenses other than those listed above, please see the information about the Crime Victim Reimbursement Program. Emergency funds do not cover expenses that are eligible for reparations or can be met through other sources.
How does a crime victim apply for funding?
If you are already working with a victim advocate, you may request they contact the General Crime Victim Services Program of Cornerstone on your behalf. Victims will be asked to provide certain documentation and verification depending on the type of assistance requested. In most cases, emergency fund payments are made directly to the vendor.