The following laws and policies govern the administration of VOCA formula funding. 

Victims of Crime Act (VOCA)
This federal law, passed by Congress in 1984 and amended in 1988, established OVC and created the Crime Victims Fund (the Fund), which provides funds to states for victim assistance and compensation programs that offer support and services to those affected by violent crimes. Guidance provided for the victim assistance and compensation grant programs is in accordance with VOCA.

VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021
This law, which went into effect on July 22, 2021, is a historic effort to stabilize the Crime Victims Fund. Among other provisions, this law— 

1. Requires that all the fines and penalties collected by the Federal Government under deferred and non-prosecution agreements be deposited into the Crime Victims Fund;
2. Clarifies that states may waive a requirement that victim compensation programs promote victim cooperation with law enforcement;
3. Allows or requires states to waive matching requirements for Crime Victims Fund grant funds under certain circumstances; and
4. Provides the Attorney General with the authority to provide no-cost extensions to all VOCA award recipients.

Victim Compensation Grant Program Guidelines (En Español)
These Final Guidelines for the VOCA Crime Victim Compensation Grant Program, issued in May 2001, are in accordance with VOCA and are all inclusive. These guidelines supersede any VOCA Crime Victim Compensation Grant Program Guidelines previously issued by OVC. 

VOCA Formula Victim Assistance Grant Program Final Rule (En Español)
VOCA authorizes OVC to provide an annual formula grant from the Crime Victims Fund to each State and eligible territory for the purpose of providing assistance to victims of crime. These annual Victim Assistance Program formula grants are used by the States to provide financial support to eligible crime victim assistance programs. This rule codifies and updates the existing Victims Assistance Guidelines to reflect changes in OVC policy, the needs of the crime victim services field, and VOCA itself. See a side-by-side comparison of the VOCA Victim Assistance Guidelines and the Rule.

DOJ Grants Financial Guide
The DOJ Grants Financial Guide (the Guide) is the primary reference manual to assist OVC award recipients in fulfilling their financial responsibility to safeguard grant funds and ensure funds are used for the purposes for which they were awarded. It compiles a variety of laws, rules and regulations that affect the financial and administrative management of your award. Recipients (and subrecipients) should refer to their award terms and conditions to determine the specific requirements that apply to their award. 

This Guide should be the starting point for all recipients and subrecipients in ensuring the effective day-to-day management of awards. 

Characteristics of Well-Supported Payment Amounts for Lost Wages & Loss of Support
Victim compensation programs should adhere to federal and DOJ grant record-keeping requirements regarding processing and maintaining records for claims, including claims for wage loss and loss of support. Refer to this resource to help your agency implement or improve its policies and processes for lost wages and loss of support payments.