In a move aimed at giving crime survivors in Texas a clearer path to financial relief, the Office of Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a major overhaul of the Crime Victim Compensation Division’s website on Monday. The redesigned portal promises easier navigation, faster access to vital resources, and new safety features for users dealing with traumatic content.
What the Program Offers
Texas’ crime-victim compensation program is a state-funded safety net that reimburses survivors of violent crimes and their close family members. Victims can receive up to $50,000, with an extra $25,000 available for cases involving catastrophic injury. The money is sourced from state court fees and grants tied to federal court collections, not from taxes. In fiscal year 2025, the program disbursed $70.4 million to nearly 11,000 victims, underscoring its role as a statewide safety net.
New Website Features
The updated site is organized around the most common users-victims and claimants, advocates, and service providers. Key additions include:
- Secure claim forms that protect personal information
- Expanded Help Center with step-by-step guides
- Mobile-friendly design for access on any device
- Safety tools such as an escape button on pages that discuss sensitive topics
Paxton explained, “Crime victims deserve clear, compassionate, and reliable resources for help when they need it most.” He added, “Our redesigned website strengthens access to vital services, ensures victims, advocates, and service providers can easily find information and support, and will help the State of Texas continue to serve those who have been harmed by criminals.”
The Backstory: KXAN Investigations
The website’s launch follows a series of KXAN investigations and 17 reports that highlighted systemic issues within the CVC division. Reported problems included staffing shortages, long payment delays, and a flaw in the program’s performance reporting that made it appear claims were paid faster than they actually were. That investigation led to a change in state law, requiring performance metrics to reflect the true average time to a first payment.
KXAN has also captured the voices of victims who have endured months of uncertainty. In the summer of 2024, Terry Reager, a 67-year-old real-estate agent, spoke to the outlet about her experience after being robbed and left on the pavement of a north-Austin grocery store parking lot. She said, “What they are putting me through is very traumatic, and there’s never any closure to it.” Reager added, “There’s never a feeling that somebody is advocating for me and moving forward with this.”
After an 18-month wait, Reager reported in August that she had finally received full compensation. She described the process as “grueling, emotional and stressful,” but also expressed gratitude for the CVC division workers who ultimately helped her complete her claim.
How the Changes Help
By streamlining the claim process and providing clearer guidance, the new website aims to reduce the bureaucratic hurdles that have frustrated many survivors. Paxton’s office hopes the redesign will connect victims with the programs they need more quickly, offering a more compassionate experience for those who have already endured significant trauma.
Key Takeaways
- The revamped website introduces secure forms, an expanded Help Center, and mobile-friendly design.
- Texas’ compensation program can award up to $75,000 per case, funded by court fees and federal grants.
- KXAN investigations revealed staffing shortages, payment delays, and inaccurate performance reporting, prompting legislative changes.
The Attorney General’s announcement signals a renewed commitment to supporting Texas residents who have suffered from violent crime, providing them with a more efficient and user-friendly path to financial assistance.
