The Nebraska compensation program is funded through general appropriations and funds from the federal prison industries program.  Unfortunately, these funds are not sufficient to address all victims who file for compensation.  Because of budget constraints in 2002/2003 the Nebraska Legislation found it necessary to reduce the funding for the CVR program by 95% from an annual appropriation of $210,000 to $20,000.  As a result of very limited funds the CVR Committee in May 2004 moved to only paying claims for the most serious crimes: Homicide, Child Abuse, Robbery, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Arson, and Kidnapping.  In July 2008, the CVR Committee moved to reinstate DUI/DWI claims to be eligible for compensation.  Unfortunately the reduced state of funding will also impact the amount of Federal funds received.  While the Federal funds cannot cover all remaining claims for compensation, they do allow Nebraska to assist additional victims who would not otherwise receive assistance.  To the victims of crime who suffered the trauma of being victimized, the additional financial burden placed on them is overwhelming.  State and Federal funds can help in reducing some or all of that financial burden.





Nebraska has tried two legislative bills one introduced in 2005 and the other in 2006 to propose the use of other methods of funding for CVR and both bills failed.  In 2007 it was requested of the Governor?s Budget Office if a deficit could be requested to assist CVR and the request was denied.  Given the Federal compensation award is based on a percentage of how much is paid to victims in state dollars, the compensation fund will be greatly reduced if these funds are not replaced.

By Nebraska statute the program shall consider and rule on any applications received within one hundred eighty days after receipt of all required information related to the crime.  It usually takes between four and six months to process a claim.  The processing time is estimated.