This summary of the activities of the U.S. Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime’s (OVC’s) International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program (ITVERP) from October 1, 2016, through September 30, 2017, covers its application processing, claims payment, and public-awareness activities intended to reach potential claimants of ITVERP services.
During this reporting period, ITVERP received 32 new applications for reimbursement. The applications reflected terrorist incidents that dated from July 6, 1989, to April 24, 2017. An exhibit shows the number of applications received during each ITVERP reporting period since the program’s beginning in 2006. At the end of the reporting period, there were 25 active claims, with 18 in process. A total of 332 claims were paid; 57 were denied; and 31 claims were designated inactive since the program’s implementation in 2006. One report exhibit indicates the average number of days for paid claims to move through the steps of the application process. Only one claim was denied during the reporting period, which was a supplemental claim for ineligible expenses. During the reporting period, ITVERP paid $254,734.07 in reimbursement requests paid to the 32 claimants. Amounts are reported for each expense category (medical, mental health, property loss, funeral/burial, and miscellaneous). No appeals were filed during the reporting period. Outreach activities focused on victims of international terrorism acts and their family members. OVC coordinates with the FBI’s Office for Victim Assistance and the U.S. State Department in the identification of potential claimants. Outreach was also extended to collaborating agencies and organizations. The ITVERP Resource Center responds to questions and requests made through its dedicate toll-free helpline and email address. 11 exhibits