| Pos. | FTE | Amount | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 Enacted | 0 | 0 | 625,000 |
| 2008 Enacted | 0 | 0 | 590,000 |
| 2009 Request | 0 | 0 | 590,000 |
| Change 2009 from 2008 Enacted | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 Current Services | 0 | 0 | 590,000 |
| 2009 Request | 0 | 0. | 590,000 |
| Change 2009 from 2008 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rescission from Balances | 0 | 0 | -2,024,000 |
CRIME VICTIMS FUND PROPOSAL
The Crime Victims Fund is financed by collections of fines, penalty assessments, and bond forfeitures from defendants convicted of federal crimes rather than conventional appropriations. The 2009 Budget proposes to appropriate $590 million from collections and balances to provide for victim compensation, services, and related needs. The proposed appropriations language would provide this funding upfront at the start of the fiscal year; and would offset this amount by balances and new receipts, coming to an estimated final appropriation of $0. In addition, the budget proposes that an estimated $2.024 billion in unobligated balances be rescinded from the fund.
| 2007 Estimate | 2008 Current Services | 2008 Request | Total Program Changes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comparison by activity and program | Perm Pos. |
FTE | Amount | Perm Pos. |
FTE | Amount | Perm Pos. |
FTE | Amount | Perm Pos. |
FTE | Amount |
| Crime Victims Fund | 0 | 0 | $ 590,000 | 0 | 0 | $590,000 | 0 | 0 | $590,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1. This amount reflects the proposed 2008 spending for the Crime Victims Fund of $625 million, including $50 million for the emergency reserve. | ||||||||||||
| The Crime Victims Fund is financed by collections of fines, penalty assessments, and bond forfeitures from defendants convicted of federal crimes. These funds support victim assistance and compensation programs around the country and advocates, through policy development, for the fair treatment of crime victims. The Office for Victims of Crime administers formula and discretionary grants for programs designed to benefit victims, provides training for diverse professionals who work with victims, develops projects to enhance victims' rights and services, and undertakes public education and awareness activities on behalf of crime victims. Victim assistance funds help support more than 4,000 local victim service agencies, such as domestic violence shelters, children's advocacy centers, and rape treatment programs. Compensation funds supplement state efforts to provide reimbursement to victims for out-of-pocket expenses resulting from crime, including medical and mental health counseling costs, lost wages, and funeral expenses. | ||||||||||||