Washington Crime Victims Compensation Program — Can It Cover Cleanup Costs?

When a violent crime occurs at an Everett or Snohomish County property, the costs of professional biohazard cleanup can be significant — and many families are not aware that Washington State provides financial assistance to eligible crime victims through the Crime Victims Compensation Program (CVCP). This program is administered by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries and provides financial assistance to qualifying victims and families for out-of-pocket losses related to violent crime.

What Is the Washington Crime Victims Compensation Program?

The Washington Crime Victims Compensation Program (CVCP) was established to help crime victims and their families recover from the financial impacts of violent crime when other sources of payment — insurance, offender restitution — are unavailable or insufficient.

The CVCP is not a crime reimbursement program for property damage. It is specifically designed to help victims of violent crime with out-of-pocket losses related to the crime itself, which can include remediation of the property affected by the crime.

Key facts about the CVCP: administered by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries; available to victims of violent crimes and surviving family members; covers qualifying out-of-pocket losses not covered by insurance or other sources; requires that the crime was reported to law enforcement; has application deadlines — timely filing is important.

Does CVCP Cover Biohazard Cleanup?

The CVCP covers out-of-pocket expenses related to a qualifying violent crime, including professional biohazard cleanup costs when the cleanup is necessary because of the crime, the cleanup cost is not covered by insurance or another source, the claimant is an eligible victim or family member, and the crime was reported to law enforcement.

Crime scene cleanup — including cleanup following homicide, assault, and other violent crimes — is the type of expense the CVCP is designed to assist with, as it is a direct result of the criminal incident.

Note: CVCP does not cover situations that are not the result of violent crime, such as unattended deaths from natural causes, drug lab contamination, or hoarding situations. For insurance coverage questions, see does homeowner's insurance cover biohazard cleanup?

Who Is Eligible for CVCP?

Eligible claimants include direct victims — individuals who were directly victimized by the crime — surviving family members (spouses, children, parents, siblings, and other close family members of homicide victims), and property owners when a crime occurred at their property and created cleanup costs not covered by insurance.

There are additional eligibility requirements, including cooperation with law enforcement and compliance with investigation requirements. The CVCP office can advise on specific eligibility questions.

How to Apply for CVCP

Step 1: Report the crime to law enforcement. CVCP requires that the qualifying crime be reported to law enforcement. The Everett Police Department, Snohomish County Sheriff's Office, or other applicable agency must have a record of the reported incident.

Step 2: File a CVCP application. Applications are filed with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. Applications must be filed within the applicable time limit after the crime — check with the CVCP program for current filing deadlines, which differ by crime type and claimant category.

Step 3: Document your losses. To support a claim for cleanup costs, you will need a copy of the law enforcement report, an itemized invoice from the licensed biohazard cleanup contractor, and documentation that the cleanup cost was not covered by insurance (or an insurance explanation of benefits showing partial coverage). Cleanup contractors serving Everett and Snohomish County can provide invoices and documentation in formats that support CVCP submissions.

Step 4: Work with a CVCP advocate. Washington State has victim advocates who help families navigate the CVCP application process. Victim advocates at the Snohomish County Prosecutor's Office and at organizations like VOICES can assist with the application process.

CVCP and Insurance — How They Work Together

CVCP is designed to cover costs not paid by insurance or other sources. If your homeowner's or renter's insurance covers some or all of the cleanup, CVCP covers the portion that insurance does not — deductibles, amounts above policy limits, or costs specifically excluded from insurance coverage.

Applicants should apply to both their insurance company and CVCP. You can receive assistance from both sources as long as the combined payments do not exceed your actual out-of-pocket losses.

Resources for Snohomish County Crime Victims

Washington State CVCP: Washington Department of Labor & Industries — Crime Victims Compensation Program lni.wa.gov/insurance/crime-victims | 1-800-762-3716

Snohomish County Victim Advocacy: The Snohomish County Prosecutor's Office provides victim advocacy services, including assistance navigating compensation programs.

VOICES: VOICES (Victims of Violent Crimes Incorporated) provides victim services in Snohomish County.

Key Takeaways

• Washington's CVCP can cover biohazard cleanup costs related to violent crime when other sources don't fully cover the expense
• The crime must be reported to law enforcement for CVCP eligibility
• File promptly — there are application deadlines
• CVCP and insurance can both apply to the same situation
• Victim advocates can help navigate the application process

To connect with a biohazard cleanup provider serving Everett and Snohomish County who can provide documentation for CVCP claims, call 123-456-7890 or email [email protected].