While federal efforts to strengthen victim compensation are underway, states play a critical role in determining whether survivors of gun violence can actually access that support, according to a new report on compensation for gun violence survivors from Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit gun research and advocacy organization.

Access to victim compensation varies widely by state, with nearly 30% of applications denied nationwide in 2024, according to federal data from the Department of Justice’s Office of Victims of Crime. Incomplete paperwork is the most common reason, but strict eligibility rules, short filing deadlines and requirements that the crimes be reported to law enforcement also prevent many survivors from receiving aid, the report found.

Each year, tens of thousands of people survive shootings in the United States, often facing lasting injuries, trauma and financial strain. State-run crime victim compensation programs, which are primarily funded through the federal Victims of Crime Act, or VOCA, are designed to help cover costs such as medical care, lost wages and funeral expenses.

But the Everytown for Gun Safety report highlighted significant disparities in how those programs operate for compensation for gun violence survivors. Average payouts, denial rates and eligibility rules differ across states, shaping whether survivors can successfully access support.

In some states, claims can be denied based on a victim’s prior criminal record or their perceived role in the incident — practices the report says can disproportionately affect Black applicants and rely on subjective judgments, biasing decisions on compensation for gun violence survivors.

The analysis also pointed to administrative hurdles, including complex applications, limited staffing and slow processing times. A lack of awareness of these programs further limits access, especially for people who do not report crimes to police. Federal crime data suggests that nearly half of violent crimes are not reported to police.

New laws in New York, which went into effect late last year, made changes that the report’s authors cite as examples of how states can improve access. The laws expanded the time victims have to apply for assistance, increased reimbursement caps for funeral expenses and reduced reliance on police reports to verify claims for compensation for gun violence survivors.

Read the full article about compensation for gun violence survivors by Amanda Watford at Stateline.