When victims face urgent financial or medical hardships, they need help fast. Priority Processing (PP) is designed to expedite the review of their application, ensuring quick access to critical support in times of crisis.

Priority Processing (PP) is an expedited review process designed to assist victims facing urgent hardships, ensuring that their applications are handled as quickly as possible. If a victim is dealing with critical financial or medical needs, this option can help fast-track their eligibility review.

Benefits of Priority Processing 

  • Faster Review: Expedited application review for victims with critical needs.
  • Quick Access to Assistance: If approved, victims can address financial or medical assistance more swiftly.
  • Support for Urgent Needs: Ideal for cases involving medical emergencies, income loss, funeral expenses, and more. 

Who Can Use Priority Processing? 

Priority Processing is available to victims facing serious financial or medical hardships, including: 

  • Funeral assistance
  • Those in need of urgent medical care or procedures.
  • Individuals requiring immediate relocation assistance.
  • Victims who have lost income due to the crime and are facing financial instability.
  • Those who need support for dependents affected by the loss of income. 

How Does Priority Processing Work? 

Priority Processing is a request to expedite the review of an application for eligibility. It doesn’t guarantee immediate approval for assistance, but it ensures a faster decision-making process. If the application is approved, further actions, like connecting with a case manager, will follow.

Required Documents for Priority Processing

To apply for Priority Processing, the following documents are required to demonstrate the critical financial or medical hardship the victim is facing: 

  • Completed, Signed Application: Must include a valid mailing address.
  • Written Statement Explaining Undue Hardship: A letter from the applicant or advocate explaining the critical hardship caused by the crime. Note: If the application is for funeral assistance, a priority letter is not required.
    Note: For medical needs, this letter must be provided by the doctor or advocate and should explain that treatment cannot be received unless approved for CVC services.
  • Offense Report: If available, include the offense report. If not available, explain why in the letter and provide:
    • Detective's name
    • Detective's contact information
  • Specific Documentation Based on Hardship:
    • For Funeral Assistance: Copy of the funeral purchase agreement, signed by the claimant, which includes the provider's tax ID number.
    • For Relocation Assistance:
    • For Medical Needs: Estimates for related medical procedures or dental needs.
    • For Loss of Earnings:
      • Employer information (address, name, phone, fax).
      • Completed and signed Travel/Appointment (Lost Wage) Verification Form.
      • Related medical information.
      • If self-employed, the most recent tax return from the IRS (which can be requested via 1-800-829-1040 or obtained at the local IRS office).
    • For Loss of Support:
      • Name, social security number, and date of birth of dependents.
      • Offender’s employer information (if available).
      • If the offender was self-employed, their most recent tax return (if possible). 

These documents help to verify the undue hardship the applicant is experiencing due to the crime, which is critical for the expedited review process.

How to Submit for Priority Processing 

Submit Priority Processing requests via email to: 

  • Submit via the webform
  • Avoid mailing or submitting through the portal, as these methods are not monitored for Priority Processing and could delay the application. 

Submit Application

What Happens Next? 

  • Quick Review: Your application will be reviewed promptly.
  • Missing Information: If any documents are missing, you’ll have 2 days to provide them.
  • Standard Processing: If the missing information isn’t submitted in time, the application will proceed as a standard request. 

Advocates, Please Help Victims Understand: 

  • Priority Processing is for urgent cases, not just general application requests.
  • Timely submission of required documents is crucial for quick processing.
  • Missing information can cause delays or the application to be processed as a standard request, so ensure everything is included upfront. 

Questions? 
We understand this process can be challenging for you and the people you support. Our commitment is to provide you the assistance you need to make it as simple as possible. 

If you have questions about available options, need help with an application, or would like guidance on any of the steps, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

You can contact us online
or
You can reach us by phone:
Mon. – Fri., 8:00am - 5:00pm CT
Toll Free: (800) 983-9933
In Austin: (512) 936-1200