New York State Office of Victim Services
The New York State Office of Victim Services is a state agency responsible for compensating victims of crime for certain un-reimbursed losses incurred as a result of their victimization. The agency was established in 1966.
Compensation awards are made for losses that are not covered by insurance benefits. Examples of compensation benefits covered by the Office of Victim Services are medical expenses, loss of earnings or support, burial expenses, counseling expenses, repair or replacement of essential personal property, the cost of residing at or utilizing the services of a domestic violence shelter, and crime scene cleanup expenses. Rules and regulations governing compensation, eligibility, claims, awards, appeals, etc., are stipulated in Executive Law, Article 22.
For more information, forms, and publications, please access the New York State Office of Victim Services at https://ovs.ny.gov/.
The Onondaga County District Attorney’s Victim Assistance Program assists victims in filing compensation claims through the Office of Victim Services.
Victim Notification of Inmate’s Release
The Victim Information & Notification Everyday system (VINE) is a 24-hour, 7-days-a-week automated service which provides information and release notifications to victims for inmates in the custody of the Onondaga County Justice Center and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (NYSDOCCS). Victims can register to be notified by phone or e-mail of an offender’s release from incarceration. VINE’s toll-free telephone number for both the County and State system is 1-888-VINE4NY (846-3469).
The following link will direct you to the VINE website for more information and to register for inmate release notifications: http://www.doccs.ny.gov/vine.html. The Onondaga County District Attorney’s Victim Assistance Program assists victims in registering for inmate release notifications through the VINE system.