OVC International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program: Frequently Asked Questions

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q1: Do you have programs that give support to victims of international terrorism events and their families?

A: Yes. The International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program (ITVERP), authorized by Congress, provides support by reimbursing victims for expenses incurred as a direct result of acts of terrorism occurring outside the United States. To be eligible for reimbursements, claimants must be direct victims of acts of international terrorism designated as such (for the purposes of this program only) by the Assistant Attorney General for National Security.

ITVERP is intended to eliminate disparities that may exist among local programs and to remove some of the barriers that restrict or hinder the provision of aid to victims located outside of the United States.

In addition, each state and local governmental entity may operate its own victim support programs. If you are seeking assistance for expenses that exceed the monetary value covered by ITVERP or expenses for services not covered by ITVERP, we recommend that you contact your local office for victim assistance.

Q2: How is ITVERP funded?

A: ITVERP funds come from fines, fees, penalty assessments, and bond forfeitures paid by federal offenders, as well as gifts from private individuals that have been deposited into the Crime Victims Fund. ITVERP funds are available only in those circumstances when an event is officially designated as an international terrorism event by the Assistant Attorney General for National Security.

Q3: Who is eligible to receive support?

A: (1) U.S. nationals and (2) officers and employees of the U.S. Government are eligible to receive reimbursement.

(3) Immediate family members of persons who have been victims of an international terrorism event may be eligible for reimbursement. If the victim is a minor, incompetent, incapacitated, or is killed, a family member of the victim may receive expense reimbursement on behalf of the victim. For purposes of the application for reimbursement, a victim may be represented by a parent, child, spouse, sibling, or other legally designated representative.

ITVERP is an “expense based” reimbursement system and only pays for actual expenses incurred in direct relation to the terrorism event. This expense-based reimbursement program covers out-of-pocket expenses such as medical costs or property repair or replacement. For more information, review the Categories of Expenses and Limits table.

Q4: What expenses may be covered?

A: This expense-based reimbursement program covers out-of-pocket expenses such as medical fees, property repair or replacement, and funeral or burial costs that are directly related to the terrorism event. In addition, if you find that you need immediate support for medical, funeral, or other expenses, you may submit an application for interim emergency funds. Emergency funds may be awarded to help you avoid or mitigate substantial hardship that could result from delaying expense reimbursement until complete and final consideration of your application. Any monetary assistance you receive under this interim emergency application will be deducted from any final funds awarded to you should you choose to also submit an itemized application.

Q5: What expenses are not covered?

A: Some of the costs that are not covered by ITVERP include attorneys' fees and legal expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and loss of enjoyment of life or of consortium.

Q6: If I believe that I am a victim of a designated international terrorism event and eligible for ITVERP support, how do I apply for funds?

A: Apply for ITVERP by filling out the ITVERP application form and other forms (supplemental and ACH forms) as applicable and submitting the application to OVC via mail or by hand delivery. The application packet will not be accepted via e-mail or fax.

There are three different application types:

Itemized applications are for those eligible claimants who are making a first-time request for reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses that were paid following an international terrorism event.
Interim Emergency applications are for eligible claimants seeking funds for an immediate need such as medical treatment, short-term lodging, or emergency transportation.
Supplemental applications are for eligible claimants who find that their expenses have changed since they submitted an initial application. The supplemental application is for bills that may have been received late, or for new services that were not originally thought necessary.

ITVERP applications can be obtained from the OVC Web site at www.ovc.gov, or by—

Calling the toll-free ITVERP Resource Center phone line at 1-800-363-0441.
E-mailing the ITVERP Resource Center at ITVERP@usdoj.gov.
Writing to the Office for Victims of Crime, ITVERP Resource Center, 810 Seventh Street NW., Washington, DC 20531.

Please be sure to state or print clearly your full name and mailing address when making your request over the phone or in writing.

Mail or hand deliver your original application (make sure you keep a copy for your records) and all
documentation to:

Office for Victims of Crime
ITVERP Resource Center
810 Seventh Street, NW.
Washington, DC 20531

Q7: What kinds of documentation are required to verify both my eligibility to receive funds and the expenses I incurred?

A: A victim is required to submit documentation that provides proof of identity, citizenship, employment, or damage/injury sustained during the international terrorism event.

A victim's representative is required to submit documentation of his/her relationship to the victim plus medical information or a death certificate as appropriate, in addition to the items named above.

In all cases, receipts for expenses incurred in the recovery process will be required. If any of the required documents have been destroyed and are unavailable from any other source, you must provide and certify a list of destroyed documents and explain how each would apply to your ITVERP application.

Q8: What is the ITVERP definition of “certification”?

A: ITVERP instructions require claimant to provide certified documentation, such as a certified list of expense when original receipts are not available. Certification may be viewed as (a) signed letter (stating that the information provided is true), or (b) signed notarized letter. Either is acceptable, however only a signature and date are required for certification.

Q9: I was a victim of a past international terrorism event. Is it too late for me to apply for support now?

A: Generally, the deadline for submitting an application is 3 years from the date of the act of international terrorism. Depending on the specific circumstances, the deadline for filing a claim may be extended to reflect a date that is 3 years from the date of the official determination that the event actually was an act of international terrorism.

ITVERP attempts to provide retrospective support for victims of acts of international terrorism that occurred after December 21, 1988, but before the establishment of ITVERP. In these cases, the deadline to apply for reimbursement is 3 years from the effective date of the program regulations—3 years from October 6, 2006.

Q10: Is every application approved to receive reimbursement?

A: No. The Assistant Attorney General for National Security makes a determination as to whether the act is one of international terrorism for the purposes of ITVERP. After review of each application, the OVC Director then determines the eligibility of the claim and the amount eligible for expense reimbursement, if any.

A victim or victim's family has the right to appeal a decision regarding the ITVERP reimbursement award if they believe the decision is in error. The appeals process is a procedure whereby victims or their families can request that their claim be reviewed and reconsidered by the Office for Victims of Crime and the Office of Justice Programs. OVC assumes the responsibility of ensuring that the appeals process procedures are followed and that each victim has an opportunity to have questions and concerns heard promptly and reviewed fairly. It is anticipated that the appeals process can be completed within 90 days after receipt of the request.

Q11: For which terrorist acts have victims been reimbursed?

A: In August 2007, the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) announced that ITVERP applications were processed and payments were made to the first applicants under the program. These claimants were victims of the October 2002 Bali, Indonesia night club bombings and the May 2003 bombing of expatriate housing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Q12: What if I have questions? Is there someone I can speak to, or is additional information available?

A: You can call the ITVERP Resource Center toll free at 1-800-363-0441. If representatives are helping other customers, please leave your name, phone number, and a brief message, and a representative will call you back within one business day.

You also can find additional ITVERP information on the OVC Web site at http://www.ovc.gov/itverp/.

The OVC Web site includes information such as the ITVERP Application Form and Instructions, Supplemental Sheet, and Categories of Expenses and Limits table.