{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-4-506","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 4-506","heading":"Eligibility for compensation.","body":"(a)\nA claimant is eligible to receive compensation under this subchapter if:\n(1)\nThe claimant filed a claim under this subchapter within one year after:\n(A)\nThe crime occurred;\n(B)\nLearning of the Program, with an adequate showing that the delay in learning of the Program was reasonable;\n(C)\nThe filing or resolution of a first application, or any subsequent application entertained by the court, for a sentence modification as described in § 24-403.03;\n(D)\nThe filing or resolution of a motion to modify a term of imprisonment as described in § 24-403.04; or\n(E)\nThe filing or resolution of any other post-conviction motion in which the claimant was a victim or secondary victim; and\n(2)\nThe crime was reported to a law enforcement office within 7 days after its occurrence or, if the crime could not be reasonably reported within that time period, within 7 days from the time a report can reasonably be made.\n\n(a-1)\n(1)\nNotwithstanding any other provision of law, a victim of the offense of malicious burning, destruction, or injury of another's property, as described in § 4-501(6)(Y), whose claim is barred under subsection (a)(1)(A) of this section, may file a claim under this subchapter during the one-year period after the April 6, 2023, which shall be deemed timely filed under subsection (a)(1)(A) of this section; provided, that the offense occurred within the 2-year period before April 6, 2023.\n(2)\nCompensation awarded for a claim filed under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be limited to the reasonable cost of replacing doors, windows, locks, or other items to secure the victim's home or other place of residence, which shall not exceed $1,000.\n\n(a-2)\n(1)\nA claimant shall not be deemed ineligible to receive compensation in cases where the claimant is a family member or household member of the perpetrator of the crime for which compensation is sought.\n(2)\nThe identification, arrest, prosecution, or conviction of a perpetrator of the crime for which compensation is sought is not required for a claimant to be eligible for compensation.\n(3)\nUnless an application for rehearing, appeal, or petition for certiorari is pending or a new trial or hearing has been ordered, conviction of the perpetrator of the crime for which compensation is sought is conclusive evidence that a crime was committed.\n(4)\nIf the offense listed in the police report or criminal charge is not a crime eligible for compensation, the Program may determine a claimant's eligibility based on the facts of the incident for which compensation is sought instead of the offense listed in the police report or criminal charge.\n\n(b)\nThe offender shall not be unjustly enriched by an award of compensation to the claimant, except that this requirement may be waived in cases involving extraordinary circumstances where the interests of justice so require.\n\n(c)\nNotwithstanding subsection (a)(2) of this section, the victim may satisfy the reporting requirement by:\n(1)\nIn the case of a domestic violence victim, obtaining a:\n(A)\nTemporary protection order or civil protection order from the Court; or\n(B)\nForensic medical examination;\n(2)\nIn the case of a stalking victim, obtaining a temporary anti-stalking order or anti-stalking order from the Court;\n(3)\nIn the case of a sexual assault victim:\n(A)\nObtaining a:\n(i)\nTemporary civil protection order or civil protection order from the Court; or\n(ii)\nForensic medical examination; or\n(B)\nReporting the offense to a law enforcement office before expiration of the applicable statute of limitations for that offense, as provided in § 23-113;\n(4)\nIn the case of a victim of cruelty to children, the filing of a neglect petition by the District of Columbia in the Court; or\n(5)\nFor any victim, if the Program determines that the claimant's ability to report the crime may be impacted due to the claimant's age, physical condition, psychological state, cultural or linguistic barriers, or any other health or safety concern that jeopardizes the claimant's well-being, as described in 34 U.S.C. § 20102(b)(2), including in their application any of the following documents establishing they are a victim:\n(A)\nAn order or judgement from any court of competent jurisdiction;\n(B)\nRecords from a law enforcement agency; or\n(C)\nRecords from a medical professional from whom the victim has sought assistance in dealing with the alleged crime.\n\n(d)\nThe time limit requirements of this section may be waived for good cause shown, including compelling health or safety concerns.\n\n(e)\nAny written requests for information release issued to providers of medical services to victims or secondary victims, including to hospitals, physicians, and mental health clinics, shall:\n(1)\nNot be made available to the public;\n(2)\nLimit the request for information from the provider to an acknowledgement of their treatment of the victim or secondary victim, and that such treatment was in connection to the crime for which the claimant is requesting compensation;\n(3)\nInclude a limitation on the time or duration of the authorization for release of information;\n(4)\nNotify the victim or secondary victim that they may submit a written revocation of the authorization for release of information;\n(5)\nInclude a disclaimer that the provider is not authorized to discuss the victim's or secondary victim's health information or medical care with anyone other than the Program; and\n(6)\nInclude a disclaimer that the provider must notify the victim or secondary victim if any additional information about the victim's or secondary victim's treatment is requested by:\n(A)\nThe Program; or\n(B)\nAny other person or entity related to a claim under this subchapter.\n\n(f)\nIn evaluating the claimant's application, the Program shall not require a victim or secondary victim to affirmatively and fully waive the physician-patient privilege as a condition to claiming such compensation.","path":["Title 4. Public Care Systems.","Chapter 5. Victims of Crime.","Subchapter I. Compensation for Crime Victims."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/4-506","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"2511f475cfbaa0ea9d31c4c52b3c6ed88d288787a577fe84b88c05a037b8142f","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-4-505","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-4-507"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}