SOVA at a Glance...
(How Crime Victims' Compensation Claims are Processed)
SOVA Crime Victims' Compensation Claims Flow Chart
SOVA Benefits Quick Reference Chart
Victim/Witness Assistance Services
- Receives all incoming compensation applications
- Screens and reviews all incoming applications prior to conducting data entry
- Assists all callers such as victims/claimants, victim advocates and service providers with their inquiries and makes the necessary referrals
- Assists walk-in crime victims with filing compensation applications
- Provides crisis intervention, support and advocacy to crime victims
- Assists victims/claimants before, during and after the appeals process
- Coordinates all Outreach Initiatives for the agency
- Coordinates all training activities for the agency
- Reassigns claims to Eligibility Services
- Receives all claims from the Victim/Witness Assistance Services Section
- Reviews, screens and investigates each claim
- Provides follow up on claims as deemed necessary to victims, law enforcement, solicitor’s offices etc.
- Makes recommendations concerning eligibility or ineligibility status
- If eligible recommendation; claims forwarded to Restitution Services Section
- If ineligible recommendation; claim is presented to Team Staffing
- The crime must have occurred in SC and not have occurred over 4 years ago
- The victim must have been directly injured physically or emotionally
- The victim must not have been engaged in any illegal activity at the time of the crime
- The victim must not have initiated, provoked, caused, or contributed to the incident
- The victim must cooperate with the State Office of Victim Assistance and law enforcement
- The claim must have been filed within 180 days from the date of the incident
- The crime must have been reported to law enforcement within 48 hours
- Receives all claims from the Eligibility Services Section
- Reviews all claims for financial recovery to assist in ensuring solvency of the Compensation Fund
- Provides an initial request letter to victims/claimants requesting their assistance with court notification and restitution recovery for future victims
- Attends court when warranted regarding restitution matters
- Works with Court Administration, Solicitors’ Offices, SCDPPPS, Victim Advocates, Victims, Attorneys and the presiding Courts to develop policies and procedures that will ensure full restitution recovery
- Places claims on tracking charts for monitoring for future restitution recovery
- In the event restitution is ordered prior to SOVA’s involvement, SOVA will request that restitution payments be directed to SOVA. (Restitution for property damage will not be collected by SOVA)
- Provides payment transaction histories to accommodate requests and inquiries
- Receives all claims from the Restitution Services Section
- Reviews and screens claims for payment
- Process both compensation and sexual assault evidence collection claims
- Assists victims/claimants, advocates and service providers with inquiries
- Provides victims/claimants with notice of award letters and other correspondences
- Provides follow up with service providers, victim advocates and victims/claimants as warranted
- Enters data into the system regarding payment transaction history
- Prepares vouchers for processing of payments
- Closes all case files with no activity for 18 months
- See SOVA Benefits Quick Reference Chart for additional information on what’s covered and paid under the compensation program
- Reviews and signs all claim payment vouchers received from the
- Processing Services Section to ensure funds are available for payment
- Forwards all vouchers to the Governor's Accounting Department for processing of payment
- SOVA coordinates with numerous departments and agencies to distribute checks statewide on behalf of crime victims
- SOVA does not prepare checks
- Team Staffing - this group is comprised of the Managers from the following sections: Victim/Witness Assistance Services, Eligibility Services, Restitution Services and Processing Services as well as the Director
- Reviews recommendations for ineligible claims previously made by investigators
- Reviews existing and or additional information during the team staffing
- During the team staffing, the team may recommend that there be a reduction in the award
- Makes requests of investigators to collect additional information and if warranted work with other staff members to accomplish objectives
- Upon collecting additional information and reviewing existing documentation, the team may recommend that the claim be deemed eligible and forwarded to the Restitution Services Section and then to Processing Services
- Upon collecting additional information and reviewing existing documentation, the team may recommend that the claim be deemed ineligible and the claim is then closed. A denial packet is sent to the victim/claimant to include an appeal brochure, appeal application, letter stating reason of denial and a copy of the law
- Victims/Claimants are asked to return to the Appeal Services Manager the appeal application within 30 days of receipt along with any additional supporting documentation to assist in their appeal
- Upon the receipt of the appeal application, a second team staffing is held on the claim if warranted
- Upon the receipt of the appeal application, the claim is also screened and reviewed once again and reinvestigated
- Thirty (30) days prior to the appeal hearing and or appeal review, the Appeal Services Manager will send victims/claimants a letter informing them of the date, time and location of their hearing/review
- During the appeals hearing, the Victim/Witness Assistance Services Section will provide victims/claimants with support, advocacy and appeal accompaniment
- During the appeals hearing, the victims/claimants have the opportunity to present their case to the Crime Victims’ Advisory Board Appeals Panel
- The victims/claimants are encouraged to wait for the Appeal Panel’s decision if they so desire
- Upon the conclusion of the hearing for the victims/claimants, the staff in the Victim/Witness Assistance Services Section will conduct an optional appeal exit survey to determine the level of satisfaction of the client assistance services
- Upon the receipt of the Order and Opinion from the Chairman of the Appeals Panel, the original order is sent by mail to the victim/claimant
- If the Appeals Panel modifies the decision (deems the claim eligible), the claim is forwarded to the Processing Services Section
- If the Appeals Panel affirms the decision (deems the claim ineligible), the victim/claimant is notified via the appeal order as noted above and the case file is closed
- During the Appeal Hearing, if the Appeal Panel requests additional information, the hearing may be continued until the next quarterly Appeals hearing/review
- Pursuant to S.C. law 16-3-1140, “the Appeal Panel’s decision is final and nonappealable”
