The Kansas Crime Victims Compensation Board have awarded financial assistance to 334 victims of violent crime at its February meeting according to Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt. Awards were made in 175 new cases. Additional expenses were paid in 159 previously submitted cases. The awards totaled just over $220,000.

The Division of Crime Victims Compensation in Schmidt’s office administers the Crime Victims 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 three-member Crime Victims Compensation Board determines claims that are eligible for payment and how much money will be awarded to each claimant.

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