Victim Assistance Scheme

Support by crime type

1. Serious crime

   If you are a Primary Victim of serious crime, you may be able to apply for one or more of the following and claim within six months of the date of the crime: 

   Discretionary funding (up to $2,500) to help with costs related to safety and immediate financial needs

   You can apply for costs that include, for example: 

   • installing alarms and other safety features 

   • emergency costs, where someone is not eligible for Crime Scene Funding (explained below) 

   • replacing items stolen, lost or damaged during the crime that are not covered by insurance and where replacing the items is likely to assist with safety (for example, repairing locks or a broken window) 

   • overnight accommodation if the crime occurs in the victim-survivor's home and the victim-survivor is not eligible for Crime Scene Funding
     

   • car rental if the police need to hold the victim survivor’s car  

   • income lost for time off work that is not covered by ACC  

   • costs of travelling to give statements to/be interviewed by the police or for medical appointments related to the assault or crime 

   • self-defence classes (blocks of classes, not an ongoing membership to a gym or sport group). 

    

   Counselling or rongoā support (up to 15 hours)

   You can apply to access counselling or rongoā for a serious crime that took place after 1 July 2023.

    

   Travel and accommodation support 

   This can apply for the primary victim-survivor and up to three people (family, whānau, support people) to attend justice proceedings, like a court trial or sentencing. Manaaki Tāngata | Victim Support will make all travel bookings. 

   Court attendance allowance 

   This can apply for the primary victim-survivor and up to three people (for each person: $150 each day or $75 each half day) for family, whānau or support people who have lost earnings through attending court. 
   

   Crime scene funding (up to $2,000) 

   This can apply when a victim cannot go home and is displaced due to a police cordon in place and police have confirmed they are investigating a crime. The funding is to pay for costs such as emergency accommodation, replacing essential items the victim survivor can’t get (like medication and toiletries), pet boarding fees and professional cleaning. 

2. Homicide

   Family and whānau of homicide victims may be able to apply for any or all of the following grants or funding.

   Manaaki Tāngata | Victim Support will need police confirmation that a homicide has taken place before these grants or funding can be paid.  

   In some cases, the original homicide charge might change. The family or whānau of the deceased will generally still be eligible for support, especially if they have already received the Homicide Lump Sum Grant, begun counselling / rongoā or attended preliminary court hearings.  

   Homicide Lump Sum Grant (up to $7,500) to help with the immediate costs following the death.

   You can apply for a homicide lump sum grant to contribute to supporting family or whānau to pay for the funeral. One grant is payable for each deceased person.  

   Counselling / Rongoā support (up to 30 hours)

   This can apply for family, whānau, friends, or witnesses to the crime or first on scene.  

   Travel and accommodation support for up to six people 

   This can apply for family, whānau, support people to attend justice proceedings, like a court trial or sentencing. Manaaki Tāngata | Victim Support will make all travel bookings. 

   Court attendance allowance for up to five people

   This can apply for family, whānau or support people who have lost earnings through attending court. Each person can recieve $150 each day or $75 each half day.

   Crime scene funding (up to $2,000)

   This applies when a victim-survivor cannot go home and is displaced due to a police cordon, and police have confirmed they are investigating a crime. The funding is to pay for costs such as emergency accommodation, replacing essential items the victim can’t get (like medication and toiletries), pet boarding fees and professional cleaning. 

3. Death by a criminal act

   Family and whānau of someone who died because of criminal acts other than homicide (for example, reckless driving causing death) may be able to apply for any or all of the following grants or funding. 

   Death by Criminal Act Lump Sum Grant (up to $7,500) to help with some of the immediate costs following the death.

   This may support family and whānau to pay for the funeral. One grant is payable for each deceased person. 
   

   Counselling / Rongoā support (up to 30 hours)

   This can apply for family, whānau, friends, witnesses to the crime or first on scene.

   Travel and accommodation support for up to six people

   This can apply for family, whānau and support people to attend justice proceedings, like a court trial or sentencing. Manaaki Tāngata | Victim Support will make all travel bookings. 

   Court attendance allowance for up to five people

   This can apply for family, whānau or support people who have lost earnings through attending court. $150 each day or $75 each half day can be recieved per person.

   For deaths that occurred from 1 July 2025 onward

   Grants can be paid once the police confirm that an investigation is underway and it is highly likely criminal charges for causing death will be or have been laid. 

   For deaths before 1 July 2025

   Grants or funding can only be paid when charges have been laid. If charges cannot be laid, police need to confirm it is highly likely they would have laid criminal charges for causing death (if the alleged offender has died). 

4. Sexual violence

   A victim-survivor of sexual violence may be able to apply for any or all of the following financial support. The level of financial support will depend on individual circumstances. The crime must have been reported to police, and a police file number is required. 

   Discretionary grant (up to $1,000) to help with costs incurred when reporting it to the police and the financial costs of dealing with the aftermath of the crime

   For example, income lost due to taking time off work to give police statements or for medical appointments. It is available for incidents that occurred prior to 1 July 2023 but are reported after that date. This grant is not available for incidents reported prior to 1 July 2023.  

   Supplementary funding (up to $2,500) 

   This is to help with additional costs related to safety and other financial needs that cannot be met by the discretionary grant (this may be able to cover counselling).

   The value of the grant paid is based on when the crime occurred. The supplementary funding is not available where the crime occurred before 1 July 2023. 
     
   You can claim for costs that include, for example:

   • installing alarms and other safety features
   • emergency costs, where the victim-survivor is not eligible for Crime Scene Funding (explained below)
   • replacing items stolen, lost or damaged during the crime that are not covered by insurance and where replacing the items is likely to assist with safety (for example, repairing locks or a broken window)
   • overnight accommodation if the crime occured in the victim survivor’s home and the victim survivor is not eligible for Crime Scene Funding
   • car rental if the police need to hold the victim’s car  
   • income lost for time off work that is not covered by ACC
   • costs of travelling to give statements to/be interviewed by the police or for medical appointments related to the assault
   • self-defence classes (blocks of classes, not an ongoing membership to a gym or sport group).

   Counselling / Rongoā support (up to 10 hours) for victims-survivors of sexual violence that took place after 1 July 2023

   This may be available if there are delays to receiving this support through ACC.

   Support for travel and accommodation for the victim survivor and up to three people

   This can apply for family, whānau, support people) to attend justice proceedings, like a court trial or sentencing. Manaaki Tāngata | Victim Support will make all travel bookings. 

   Court attendance allowance for the victim survivor and up to three people

   This can apply for family, whānau or support people who have lost earnings through attending court. Each person can recieve $150 per day or $75 each half day.

   Crime scene funding (up to $2,000)

   This can apply when a victim survivor cannot go home and is displaced due to a police cordon, and police have confirmed they are investigating. The grant is to pay for costs such as emergency accommodation, replacing essential items the victim survivor can’t get (like medication and toiletries), pet boarding fees and professional cleaning. 

5. Regulatory offences

   A victim-survivor of a serious injury due to a regulatory offence, or the family or whānau of someone who has died due to a regulatory offence, may be able to apply for any or all of the following financial support.  

   Support is available when a regulatory agency prosecution is initiated by WorkSafe NZ, Civil Aviation and/or Maritime NZ.

   The support is for incidents that occurred on or after 1 July 2020 and either prosecutions between 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2026 has been made or for investigations or prosecutions after 1 July 2026.

   Counselling / Rongoā support for family or whānau of someone who has died

   This can apply for family, whānau, close friends and witnesses for up to 30 hours each.

   Support for travel and accommodation for up to six people

   This can apply for family, whānau of the person who has died, or their support people to attend justice proceedings, like a court trial or sentencing. Manaaki Tāngata | Victim Support will make all travel bookings. 

   Counselling or Rongoā support for a serious injury 

   This can apply for primary victim-survivors and witnesses for up to 15 hours each.

   Support for travel and accommodation

   This can apply for the primary victim-survivor and one support person to attend justice proceedings, like a court trial or sentencing. Manaaki Tāngata | Victim Support will make all travel bookings.