TOPEKA – Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced Thursday that the Kansas Crime Victims Compensation Board awarded $342,524 to victims of crime at their July meeting. Awards were made in 127 new cases. Additional expenses were paid in 84 previously submitted cases.

Schmidt’s office administers the Kansas Crime Victim Compensation program, which was established in 1978 to help victims of violent crime pay for their unexpected expenses, such as medical treatment, mental health counseling, lost wages, dependent support and funeral expenses.

The state’s Crime Victims Compensation Board determines claims that are eligible for payment and how much money will be awarded to each claimant. Awards are limited to a maximum total amount of $25,000 with limitations of $5,000 for funeral expense, $3,500 for outpatient mental health counseling, $10,000 for inpatient mental health treatment and $1,000 for grief counseling for family survivors of homicide victims.

A portion of assessed court costs and fines, inmate wages, parole fees and restitution paid by convicted offenders provides funding to the program.

Members of the Crime Victims Compensation Board are appointed by the Attorney General with confirmation of the Kansas Senate. Members of the Board are Chairperson Suzanne Valdez of Lawrence, Nan Porter of Wichita and Sheriff Tom Williams of Iola.

For more information about the Crime Victims Compensation Program call (785) 296-2359 or visit the Attorney General’s website at www.ag.ks.gov.