The Netherlands has a crime victim compensation program to provide financial compensation to victims of violent or personal crime.

Eligibility Requirements
Report to Police: Within 3 years; exceptions are made.
Filing Period: No time limit.

Claimants

• Victims of crime who suffer serious injuries
• Dependents of homicide victims
• Foreign citizens

Procedures

A claimant can obtain a compensation application, by phone or mail, from Schadefonds Geweldsmisdrijven. The application should be sent there as well. It takes approximately 17 months for a claimant to receive notification of the program's decision. Compensation will be received 4 weeks after notification.

Benefits & Award Limits
The maximum awards in Gilders:
Material damage: 50.000
Immaterial damage (not for dependents of deceased victims): 20.000

Compensable Costs

• Medical expenses
• Mental health
• Lost wages for disabled victims
• Lost support for dependents of homicide victims
• Funerals
• Travel
• Rehabilitation for disabled victims
• Services to replace work in the home previously performed by the victim
• Removal expenses
• Legal aid
• Any other expense reasonably related to the injury

The Netherlands (continued)

Emergency Awards

The program makes emergency awards when the request meets all of the eligibility conditions (except the exact extent of the damage), and when a good reason for expedition exists.

Funding Sources

The program is funded by the national government and the Department of Justice.

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