Victims of Violent Crime
Financial Benefits Program

If you have been injured as the result of a violent crime or are a surviving spouse of a fatally injured victim of crime that occurred in Alberta, you may be eligible for financial benefits from the Alberta Justice Financial Benefits Program.

Only direct victims are eligible. Witnesses to a crime or a direct victim’s family members are not eligible. A surviving spouse of a homicide victim may apply for the death benefit. The applicant is not necessarily the recipient of the death benefit (e.g. victim’s son may apply and the benefit paid to the victim’s widow.) There is a two year time limit from the date of the crime to apply. A time extension may be granted if there is enough evidence to show that the victim was not able to apply within the two years and the reason can be verified. Eligible criminal code offenses are listed in the regulations to the Victims of Crime Act. The list includes physical and sexual assaults, homicides and other violent offences. It does not include property or motor vehicle related offences.

The program verifies the injuries received as a direct result of the crime by requesting medical reports and records from the hospitals, doctors and medical professionals. The regulations to the Victims of Crime Act specify the amount of benefits to be paid (maximum of three injuries, maximum total award of $110,000.00 ). If there are a number of related incidents (e.g. same victim and offender over a period of time), the injuries from all of the incidents may be assessed together.

Application forms must be filled out and are available at any Victim Service Unit or contact the Alberta Solicitor General at 780.427.7217.

More information can be obtained through your local Victim Service Unit:

Sonya Henderson
Sylvan Lake & District Victim Service Unit
403.887.3334

Michelle Lodewyk
Red Deer Rural Victim Service Unit
403.343.5504

Lauren Davies
Innisfail & District Victim Service Unit
403.227.3342