Police - Victim Assistance - Death, Grief & Bereavement

Victim Compensation

If the deceased was a victim of a crime, the family and/or loved ones may be eligible for Victim Compensation, which is financial assistance for specific crime- related expenses.
In Arizona, Victim Compensation is limited to four specific forms of assistance:

• Lost wages due to the crime, its investigation, or prosecution.
• Mental Health Treatment from a licensed Mental Health agency
• Funeral and/or burial expenses
• Medical Expenses arising from the crime

In order to be eligible for Victim Compensation:

• The death must have occurred as the result of a criminal incident (Note: suicide and most traffic fatalities are not crimes).
• The crime must have been reported to law enforcement.
• The applicant for Victim Compensation must be cooperating with law enforcement and prosecution in investigating and/or prosecuting the criminal case.
• The crime must have occurred in Arizona.
• The victim of the crime must not be culpable (partially responsible) in the events which resulted in victimization. 
• The victim must not be incarcerated.

In Maricopa County, Victim Compensation is administered by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. The Victim Compensation Bureau can be reached at (602) 506-4955.

Contact a Victim Assistance Caseworker:

Mike Eyer (623) 930-2436

Therapy for Crime Victims at the West Valley Advocacy Center

Contact A New Leaf (formerly “PreHab of Arizona”) at (602) 400-1669 for daytime appointments and (623) 930-3722 for evening appointments.

Additional Assistance

Organizations Which Serve Families and Friends Affected by Traumatic Death

• The Compassionate Friends (480) 752-1832 | Web site
• SIDS Arizona Chapter  (602) 433-7437
• Parents of Murdered Children (602) 254-8818 | Web site
• Survivors of Suicide (480) 784-1514 | Web site
• Mothers Against Drunk Driving (602) 279-2043 | Web site

Additional Links

• Arizona Board of Funeral Homes and Embalmers
  For information about the Arizona Board of Funeral Homes and Embalmers, including information about filing a complaint, click here to visit their Web site.  This site also allows the user to download a Consumer Guide to Arizona Funeral Information.
  
  
• AARP
  The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Website includes a variety of useful documents and information about bereavement, funerals, Social Security, and other issues of concern after a death. Click here to visit their Web site.
  
  
• Office of the Maricopa County Medical Examiner