Victims Compensation Assistance Program

What is The Victims Compensation Assistance Program?

The Pennsylvania Victims Compensation Assistance Program (VCAP) was established to help survivors of crime pay for certain qualifying expenses, and mental health therapy can be one of them. If a crime has affected you, VCAP may help cover your counseling at Mountain View Counseling & Wellness Center, and we're glad to help with our part of the process.

For most claims, the crime has to have happened in Pennsylvania and been reported to the police, or you have to have filed for a protective order, such as a PFA (Protection from Abuse order). However, if you are a survivor of sexual assault, the reporting requirement is waived due to the sensitive nature of these crimes and the fact that many survivors are hesitant to report (learn more here).

If you're not sure whether you qualify, you can speak with a local victim services advocate in Dauphin County or Cumberland County, or inquire with VCAP directly.

What We Can Help With

Our licensed mental health providers work with clients who have experienced single-incident trauma and complex trauma. We help clients navigate issues like traumatic loss (suicide and/or homicide), intimate partner violence, domestic abuse, stalking, and sexual assault.

How to File a Claim

You can file with VCAP in whichever way is easiest for you:

Online: File through DAVE, VCAP's online system
On your phone: the PA Crime Victims app for Apple or Android
On paper: Download the claim form
By phone: call VCAP at 1-800-233-2339. Staff can talk you through it, and interpreters are available.

If you're working with a victim advocate, they can help you file too.

What If I Have Insurance?
If you have health insurance, VCAP usually requires that you use it first. Let us know at intake, and we'll work out the details with you. VCAP may help reimburse copays for sessions. If you've lost insurance or financial support due to a crime, consider speaking to a victim advocate through your county's victim services division to learn more.

How The Process Works With Us

You file a VCAP claim and save your claim number and pin.
Share your claim number with us once you've filed.
Attend therapy sessions - we'll bill insurance directly and you will be charged any applicable copay at the time of service.
VCAP may contact us to confirm your sessions. We'll handle that part.
We'll provide you with an "itemized invoice" (or receipt) to send to VCAP.
VCAP reviews your claim and pays you back directly. The state says most claims are currently processing within about 8-12 weeks.

What VCAP Will Need From You

VCAP reviews your claim once it has everything it asked for, and most of that comes from you. This usually includes:

your completed claim form
the statements and receipts we give you for your sessions
explanation of benefits (EOBs) for the sessions you are requesting reimbursement for, if you have insurance

VCAP may ask for other information as your claim moves along. Responding to requests quickly keeps your claim moving, so your reimbursement arrives sooner.