CLEARFIELD – Clearfield County District Attorney, William A. Shaw, Jr., announced that the Clearfield County Victim/Witness Office has reached a milestone for crime victims compensation claims, surpassing the $50,000.00 mark for the year 2009.
Shaw stated that Clearfield County Victim/Witness advocates work extremely hard to assist crime victims navigate through the criminal justice system. Shaw noted that each Victim/Witness advocate works diligently to aid crime victims in addressing the financial consequences placed upon them as the victim of a crime.
Shaw reported that the Victims Compensation Assistance Program is designed to help victims with their financial difficulties. Crime victims may be eligible to receive financial help from the Victims Compensation Assistance Program for a variety of expenses, such as, medical and counseling expenses, loss of earnings, loss of support, stolen cash, relocation, funeral, or crime scene cleanup.
Judy Shirey, Director of the Clearfield County Victim/Witness Office, stated that the Victims Compensation Assistance Program is a great resource for crime victims to recover their financial loss. Shirey stated that the program is funded through fines paid by convicted criminals at no cost to taxpayers.
Shaw stated that Judy Shirey and her team of advocates work very hard to secure compensation for crime victims and make every effort to get claims paid in a timely manner. Shaw reported that in 2009, the Compensation Program paid $53,287.00 to victims and providers in Clearfield County, and through October of 2010, the amount paid has totaled $27,893.00. stated that there are guidelines that must be followed and also different limits for the various types of expenses covered by the Program. She also stated that the Compensation Program not only assists victims of crime, but also doctors, hospitals, therapists, and other providers in getting paid for their services in a timely and efficient manner.
Shirey said that the best way to file a claim is with the help of a Victim/Witness Advocate. All staff members have been trained to assist victims from the beginning to the end of the process. They assist victims in gathering all information needed, and submit the claim electronically.
Staff members also submit follow up claims and assist with any problems that may arise with the claim. However, Shirey noted that a crime victim may file a claim independently by downloading and submitting a crime victim’s compensation claim form to the Victims Compensation Assistance Program.
Anyone with knowledge or information about a crime is asked to call Clearfield County Crimestoppers at (800)-376-4700. All calls to Crimestoppers are confidential. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by visiting the Clearfield County District Attorney Web site and selecting “Report A Crime”.