The Short Answer
An eligible victim, or someone paying the victim's crime-related bills, can claim up to $2,250 for professional cleanup. The crime has to be reported to police within a reasonable time, the victim cooperates with the investigation, and the application goes in within three years. Insurance pays first, and a family that cleans the scene itself gets back the cost of supplies only.
The Rules in One Table
The rules come from the Texas Attorney General's program pages.
| Rule | What the program says |
|---|---|
| Cleanup limit | Up to $2,250 for crimes after July 14, 2016 |
| Order of payment | The program is "a last-resort option" after insurance |
| Reporting | Police were told about the crime within a reasonable time frame |
| Cooperation | The victim cooperates with the investigation and prosecution |
| Deadline | Apply within 3 years of the crime; good cause for a delay can be shown |
| Do-it-yourself cleanup | Reimbursed for cleaning supplies only |
| Direct payment | The program can pay the provider directly when documentation is complete and the victim hasn't paid |
Who Can File
Who can file goes beyond the victim. The program's eligibility page lists people paying crime-related bills for a victim among those who can apply, along with representatives of victims who died and certain family members. A parent who pays to clean a son's apartment, or a sibling who covers the bill for a home, can be the claimant.
The Documents to Gather
The documents to gather fit in one folder.
- The cleaning company's bill. An itemized invoice showing every charge.
- The company's tax ID. The program asks for the business tax ID.
- Insurance proof. The homeowners or renters insurance declaration page, or a statement that there's no insurance.
- Proof the victim hasn't paid. Needed when the program pays the company directly.
- Service details. The service address, the victim's or claimant's address, and the dates of service.
We supply the first two at the end of the job and itemize the bill so the program can match it line by line.
Getting Help in Fort Worth
Getting help in Fort Worth starts with the police department's Victim Assistance unit, at 505 West Felix Street, phone 817-392-4390. Its staff provide crisis intervention and help crime victims file compensation claims. A victim assistance specialist can walk through the application and point to other costs the program may cover beyond cleanup.
Call us for the cleanup itself, and the invoice and tax ID will be ready for the claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the program pay the cleanup company directly?
Yes, as long as every required document is in and the victim or claimant hasn't already paid the company. The victim or claimant submits the documents. A provider can't file through the program's portal but can send documents through the program's document submission form, and we send ours on request.
What happens when the bill passes the $2,250 limit?
The program stops at $2,250 for cleanup, so anything above that comes from insurance or the family. Hand the insurer the same itemized invoice the program receives, so each payer sees which lines it covers and nothing gets paid twice. Ask the Victim Assistance unit whether other program benefits apply to related costs.
Does a homeowners policy have to pay before the program?
Yes, the program describes itself as a last resort, so insurance comes first. The program asks for the insurance declaration page or a statement of no insurance, and the provider's paperwork includes proof that the insurance doesn't apply or has run out. Get the insurer's answer in writing before the crew starts.
Does cleaning the scene yourself still qualify?
Families who do the cleaning on their own can still apply, though the payment covers what they spent on supplies and nothing for their labor. Blood that soaked into carpet pad or subfloor also stays after the surface looks clean, and stains and odor return. Keep supply receipts if you clean anything yourself.
Is there a deadline to apply?
Three years from the date of the crime is the standard window, and the eligibility page allows a later filing when there's good cause. File as soon as the bills are in hand, because the invoice, the insurance letter, and the case number are easiest to gather while the details are fresh.